clogged duct?

elizabethwig · November 2012

Does this sound like a clogged duct to you? For the last few feedings today I've had a shooting line of pain from the nipple to the side of my chest. It starts at latch and lasts a couple minutes then dies away. I don't have any tenderness to the touch, a lump or a fever though. Anyone know what it might be if not a clogged duct?

jrsmama2010 · November 2012

A plugged, or clogged, duct is a sore, tender lump or knotty area in the breast. It occurs when a milk duct is not draining well, and inflammation builds up. The area may be warm to the touch and red, and if it is located in a duct close to the surface of the skin, you may be able to feel it distinctly with your fingers. A plugged duct is not accompanied by fever. If the plugged area is not drained, pressure can build up behind it and cause the surrounding tissue to become inflamed. If a large area of the breast is inflamed, hard, and tender, it is sometimes referred to as a caked breast. Usually a plugged duct or caked breast occurs in only one breast at a time.

Mastitis
If the plugged duct is accompanied by flulike symptoms body aches, nausea, fatigue, headache and fever, it is mastitis

elizabethwig · November 2012

thanks for that. yes, i've read that elsewhere as well, which is mostly why i'm asking if others think this might still be a clog, despite not feeling tender to the touch or hard or me not having a low grade fever. i don't have unusual aches, fatigue, etc. just a shooting pain when nursing/pumping (worse when nursing). i'm not sure what else it would be and was wondering if other people might have experienced something similar..