Anyone Had Mastitis w/ Abscess and Surgical Incision?

eggmankate · January 2014

I was diagnosed with Mastitis 11 days ago. Four days after that they found an abscess and drained it with a needle. Over the weekend one spot on the infected site got worse and just yesterday I was told that the abscess that was drained last week didn't heal and it got worse. I wound up going in for a surgical incision to drain the fluid. I'm so disgusted by the open wound and having to change the dressing so my husband is helping me. I'm also just scared by all that has happened because I want to continue to nurse (and am meeting with a lactation consultant weekly now for awhile). Anyone have a surgical incision and want to give me some encouragement? I'm really miserable right now.

stephzrn · January 2014

I haven't had an abscess or drainage but very close. I had mastitis for 7 weeks if not longer. I was on 3 different antibiotics until it started healing. I had 2 ultrasounds to r/o an abscess and they were going to biopsy my breast if it didn't start healing. Thankfully after the 3rd antibiotic I started seeing results......of course to top it off I was allergic to the last antibiotic and had an all over rash. Lovely!!!!! My breast was so red and swollen and so gross looking!!!! It was like I had 3 boobs. I never thought my body could ever look like that. I continued to pump and feed my LO breast milk through the whole ordeal and continued pumping for about 3 months after it healed. Even though I didn't actually have an abscess and draining, I too have been through hell and back, my supply never dropped and continued to provide breast milk. Good luck to you.

DahliaFlower · January 2014

I haven't needed an I&D but I have had mastitis 3 times, and I know how absolutely miserable it is. I can only imagine how much worse I would feel with an open wound, I certainly feel for you!!

The author of the book "The Nursing Mother's Companion" (who is a LC) remarked that she had needed an I&D and that after recovering, she had no further issues. She continued to breastfeed throughout that time. I know that many women do this successfully, and I don't think you should lose hope! As hard as it may be, it will probably get better and easier every day. I wish you the best for a smooth recovery.

KLMidwest · January 2014

Yes, I had an abscess with I&D surgery. DS is now 11 months old and I still nurse him (have to supplement due to supply, but I don't believe it's strictly due to the abscess).

My husband also had to change my open wound, I couldn't look at it either! I continued to nurse throughout. I could not pump on the affected side until the stitches were healed though as the flange hit the incision. That didn't help me pumping at work, but it didn't interefere with nursing. Good luck, it was not necessaily a pleasant experience, but I healed fine except for a small scar.

eggmankate · January 2014

Thank you guys

It's nice to hear these stories because I'm only in the beginning process of healing. We oughta have a support group

KL--how long did it take for your wound to heal? My husband will probably be changing it 2x/day until it heals but it could be awhile to heal and it means that he's a little late to work each morning since I need to sleep. I guess we got to do what we got to do....

KLMidwest · January 2014

If I remember right, I think we packed the wound a little less than 2 weeks. We ended up changing the packing once a day instead and it was fine. After that I had to get stitches and those stayed in another 2 weeks, and then It was just scar maintenance (I used vitamin E and cocoa butter on the scar a few times a day).

eggmankate · January 2014

Did you feel any pain of any sorts near the open wound after the surgery and if so, do you remember for how long afterwards? I'm having some shooting pains on the clogged duct that sits beneath the abscess site (where the open wound is) and it reminds me of the pain I felt when the abscess was growing before surgery. I'm trusting that this is just part of the healing process.

KLMidwest · January 2014

I don't really remember, sorry! I know the doctor gave me pain pills, and I checked with the LC and she said they were safe to take with BF'ing. I'm not sure if that masked some of the pain. When DH changed the packing was somewhat uncomfortable, but I don't remember it hurting.

Do you have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon soon? Mine saw me about a week after the surgery, and gave us his cell if we had any questions or concerns. Don't feel bad calling and asking, after what you've been through it's good to make sure everything is ok!

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