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Hospital grade vs PISA (clogged ducts ?)
For the last month I had been renting a hospital grade pump (Medela Symphony). Then the last week or so, i decided to see how my PISA compared, so I had been pumping during the day with one and at night with the other. We determined that my output seemed to be about the same with both, so yesterday we returned the symphony because the rental was going to start getting expensive (from babies R us).?
So far today, i've had clogged ducts twice on the left and I woke up feeling feverish this morning. Now I have a red streak on my right breast, and i can feel that there's something blocked in there. My output has also dropped slightly. This is all after 36 hours of not using the hospital grade pump at all.
Is it possible that even using the symphony 1/2 the time, it kept things clear in there, and now that I haven't used it, i'm starting to have problems? Or is it more likely that this is a complete coincidence?
So, now my husband and are talking about renting it again.
Any advice on whether we should rent it again (or a different brand hospital grade) or how to clear this possible mastitis without it worsening would be appreciated.
So far today, i've had clogged ducts twice on the left and I woke up feeling feverish this morning. Now I have a red streak on my right breast, and i can feel that there's something blocked in there. My output has also dropped slightly. This is all after 36 hours of not using the hospital grade pump at all.
Is it possible that even using the symphony 1/2 the time, it kept things clear in there, and now that I haven't used it, i'm starting to have problems? Or is it more likely that this is a complete coincidence?
So, now my husband and are talking about renting it again.
Any advice on whether we should rent it again (or a different brand hospital grade) or how to clear this possible mastitis without it worsening would be appreciated.
Dx: MFI, DOR, 9 Fibroids and homozygous MTHFR
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Re: Hospital grade vs PISA (clogged ducts ?)
I would call your OB or Midwife ASAP. When I got mastitis I got in that very day and it cleared up within a few days. I did notice a drop in supply on the side with mastitis. Warm compresses and taking a shower before pumping seemed to help along with lots of massage & compressions.
I can't answer if it is a coincidence or not, as I don't know much about the hospital grades. You may want to rent it again to get over the clogs & mastitis and then do a slower transition to your PISA.
BFP#2: 8/14/11 M/C 8/30/11 6w1d
BFP #3: 10/26/11
Beta #1 @11dpo: 22 Beta #2 @13dpo: 90 Beta #3 @17dpo: 480
Missed m/c 12w3d 12/28/11, d&c 12/30/11
dx Homozygous C677T MTHFR
I have no idea if it's pure coincidence or not. Just remember that green cabbage leaves will help but it does sound like you may have mastitis. Seek treatment QUICK so it doesn't impact your supply.
Pump and use tons of compressions and massage and your booby tubes when you're not pumping. Oh and warm compresses too!
I hope it clears up soon and DOESN'T impact your supply.
There isn't a local hospital that will rent you a symphony for cheaper??
Call your OB ASAP to get on an antibiotic for mastitis... they should be able to just call a perscription in... most start out w/ dioxicillan... if you aren't feeling better after starting in in 24 hours, then call the OB back b/c you might need to switch/be put on a 2nd. Mastitis is caused from a strep bacteria so be SURE to serilize your pump parts after every session, including the horns. if you have any cracks or blisters, be sure to use lanolin between sessions. if your breast/nipple is super painful, definitely take ibuprofen about 30 min before a session and that will also help w/ the fever.
as for the plugs/pain, you need to 1. rest 2. drink lots of water, gatorade is good and has always helped my supply 3. take a hot shower and try to work the plug out there 4. apply a warm compress 15 minutes before you nurse or pump. best compress is a disposable diaper filled w/ hot water and then microwave it for about 10-15 sec so its hot but not too hot to touch. this will keep the heat longer and also wrap around the whole breast. best bet would be to nurse as it is often less painful/more effective for milk removal than pump but definitely pump more frequently if you aren't already (every 2ish hours). This website is a great reference https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
Finally, I have used both a symphony and a freestyle (similar to pisa) and only notice a slight increase in output, but not enough that i would say this caused the plugged ducts. you probably already were developing a plug that just grew and coincided w/ the switch. i will throw it out there in case you are borrowing a pump from a friend or something and the PISA is not brand new, take it somewhere to have it tested for suction to make sure its functioning properly. i actually had a problem w/ my freestyle onces and it wasn't suctioning so i went somewhere that had a vacuum valve and medela shipped me a new pump while covering the cost of the rental.
anyways, main thing is to keep nursing/pumping and possibly add at least a session to keep your breast empty to help w/ the plugs. and definitely get on the a/b ASAP as that will help you from not having a drop in your supply! Good Luck!!!