BF - Need Help Mastitis/Thrush/Something Else?

Neb_Bride

For the past two days I have felt horrible and it just keeps getting worse.  My baby is 4 weeks today and I really thought that I was getting a handle on this BF thing (I had REALLY bad engorgment/latching issues for the first 10ish days), but I've been hit with the worst pain to date.  So here's the deal:

I have flu-like symptoms (fever 102+, achy, headache).

My breasts (yes both) hurt (my left a lot more-so than my right) and are very warm to the touch.  I feel slightly engorged, but not bad.  No redness that I have noticed and I had a little bit of itchiness a couple of days ago on my areola (gone now).  It hurts so bad that I can't stand to hold my LO to my chest and all I want to do is hold him...

So, can you have mastitis without any redness?  Thrush, but the baby doesn't seem to show any symptoms?  If you ladies have experience with these can you share them with me - how long did they last?

I've called the hospital LC and she said it could be mastitis, but it's not really normal that both breasts hurt and for there to be no redness on the breasts...my OB said the same thing.  I just want to cry!  After a really tough pregnancy I was hoping that BF would be at least somewhat easy for me.

Thanks for the help!  (I'll be posting on Breastfeeding as well)

DaisyFull

Considering you're running a fever, why didn't your OB see you? It definitely sounds like something is wrong, and I'm certainly no Dr. You need to see someone.

Neb_Bride

I wasn't running a fever when called the OB/LC...now the offices are closed for the weekend.

DaisyFull

Neb_Bride:

I wasn't running a fever when called the OB/LC...now the offices are closed for the weekend.

 Ahh... I'm really sorry you feel so lousy. If it doesn't let up, maybe a trip to an emergency clinic? 

blissfully_caffeinated

Since thrush doesn't come with a fever I think it sounds like mastitis. You can have that without redness though its not as common. I'm sorry you're having trouble. With such a high fever I would call your doctor back. Either get a script over the phone or go to a doc in a box or the emergency room.

Brewtowngrl

My bet is mastitis.  I would get to a clinic and get checked out.  You really don't want to go untreated for a few days with it.  It will only get worse. 

violetblue72

I had the same thing last weekend.  I had clogged ducts in the past with DS #1 so I knew this was beyond that and pretty much mastitis.  I called the OB who asked me if I tried everything to unclog it (massage, heating pad/warm compresses, warm shower while massaging, combing the breast with a wide tooth comb, nursing over baby on all fours, nursing w/babies chin pointed to where I thought the clog was) and I had. 

Anyway, the OB called a scipt of penicillin in for me.  As this is your first experience, go to urgent care if you can to p lay it safe.  And don;t get bummed.  BF'ing is so hard in the beginning... it gets easier.

Jasmine1082

I have this now and had a temp of 100.9. No redness but swelling, headache, breast pain on one side and chills. I called the after hours # and the on call Dr said it was good i didnt wait for the office to open on Tuesday and called me in antibiotics. GL hope you find relief soon.