So I have mastitis...

Firedancer1013

Anyone else have this or have had this?  All of a sudden the past few days I have felt super engorged, but on my right side it didn't go away.  Then yesterday my bb got rock hard, hot, and red, and I spiked a 101 degree fever.  I called the OB and they put me on an antibiotic that I started last night.  DS has been so good which I've needed because I feel so gross- chills, sweating, fever, achy all over my body, plus it feels like I have a rock on my chest.  How long does this typically last for?  They said I should feel better in a day or two, but it still hurts like crazy.  Also, the OB office told me not to pump any extra to relieve it unless I am giving DS a bottle at that time because then I'm telling my body to produce more, but the doula said that it wouldn't hurt to pump one time at night since DS sleeps through the night to relieve the pressure.  I don't want to feel so painfully full, but I'm a little wary to start pumping every night in the middle of the night when he isn't up to nurse, because that is stimulating my body to produce more, right?

OZZY81807

I found out that I also have Mastitis yesterday - I woke up with a fever of 102 that quickly jumped to 104 and a very sore right breast.  My Dr. also started me on the antibiotic and told me to take ibuprofen/tylenol around the clock to get the fever to go down.  She told me to make sure that the infected breast is always emptied, so I have been pumping when I finish feeding him on that side.  She also said to rotate warm compress/cold compress all throughout the day.  Last but not least - she said the most important thing was REST and to stay in bed allll day (24 - 48 hours) and to even feed him while in bed laying down.  I feel your pain!

Firedancer1013

Those recs would be great to follow but with a newborn who is fussy all day long that's not really possible for me... :-/

amwrona

I came down with this saturday evening/sunday morning!! Fever of 102-103 chills, sweats - except the red hot spot didn't show up until Monday!! I took my leftover Motrin from the hospital and started the antibiotic on Monday, my hard spot is just about gone all the way!! I rested all day sunday & monday - did hot & cold compress- massaged the area with every feeding & pumped on that side too!!

jay-tea

I had it and it was horrible.  I would definately pump the extra milk out - the only way to really get rid of the mastitis is to clear the ducts.  The antibiotics aren't going to help if the ducts don't stay clear.  I had a reoccurance after a few days because I wasn't clearing the ducts enough.

ksyknelvr73

Yes, I had this in my left breast. It was awful. I was also unable to "rest all day" like we're told - it was impossible. I just took my antibiotics around the clock like I was supposed to, took Tylenol as often as I could based on the recommended dosage, and kept a hot compress on it. Honestly, it improved greatly by day two. Just hang in there, I know it's difficult!!