XP: Clogged duct/mastitis

WyoGal

So, I have either a majorly clogged duct and/or the beginning of mastitis on my left side.  I've spent the day resting, drinking fluids, taking ibuprofen, massaging, nursing, heating and pumping.  The entire boob still incredibly sore to the touch (as in I cringe when I need to pick up M).    M went to sleep 1/2 an hour ago and I plan to try and pump once or twice more before I go to bed. 

Is there anything else I can/should be doing?  Or anything I shouldn't be doing?  I'm a little worried about overstimulating and then getting engorged and risking the problem all over again, but I feel like there's still a hard spot I need to work out.

TIA!

juniper19

For now don't worry about overstimulating.  You should nurse as much as you can to get the clog out.  Try positioning the baby so his chin is next to the clog when he nurses.  So if the clog is on the outside of the breast, use a football hold.  If it on the inside use the "standard" hold (cradle?).  If you can, hold a hot compress on the clog while the baby is nursing (don't let it touch the baby!).  I also found that an ice pack was good for temporarily relieving the pain.

If you start feeling feverish, call the doctor for antibiotics.

Good luck!

tak2002

I ate lots of protein, slept, and nursed him while on all fours above him. I also SLEPT for about 6 hours. I was taking tylenol because I also had a fever. I took some homeopathic meds also. I forget which ones...if you are interested, I can look it up again for you.

WyoGal

Thanks for the great suggestions.  I'll try nursing on all fours tomorrow.  I have a low grade fever now and am keeping an eye on it.  Tak, were they homeopathic meds you could find at Walgreens?  Our natural food/homeopathic stores mostly do special order and aren't open on Sunday : ( 

tak2002

I highly doubt they would be at Walgreens. They were in my kit that I have. I know my Walgreens doesn't carry homeopathics I'll go and look to see if I have the names written down (just in case).

WyoGal

Thanks a million!

tak2002

Okay...I just looked and I used to have them separated in case I needed them again, but they are all put back away (I have a huge kit). I THINK they were Bryonia & Lachesis. I know Lachesis was one of them....I'm not sure though. You'd have to look it up for sure....I'm not a doctor or anything! Good luck

WyoGal

LOL.  Not a problem.  I truly don't think I'd find much around here anyway and by the time I ordered online I'd be SOL.  I'll just keep up with the manual labor of it all for now. 

GypsyEsq

Kellymom has an interesting link regarding lecithin being used to treat plugged ducts -- I've been taking it for about a week now to get rid of some persistent clogs and mastitis and I have to say that it's worked.  I've not been this comfortable in a long while.  Lecithin is certainly available at Walgreens.  GL.