mastitis... help!

Re: mastitis... help!

• DahliaFlower member

  July 2014

  Sorry you're going through this!  

  
  

  I too developed mastitis soon after DS was born.  At first, I thought I had a virus or something because I didn't really have any pain in my breast, just fever / chills / body aches / headache.  I did use hot compresses, massage and pumping as well as nursing on the affected side.  You can take ibuprofen to help with the pain.  I am wondering if you might still have some obstructed ducts.  I saw a lactation consultant after my second episode, who helped to break up a lot of the blockages.  I also took lecithin, which I think helped.  Fortunately, all three episodes were within the first couple of months and I haven't had any problems since.  

  
  

  In answer to your questions about nipple soreness, it does not last for too long.  Maybe the first few weeks?

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• chrinikki1 member

  July 2014

  I had it last week (3 weeks pp). The doctor said I should feel relief after 24 hrs of the antibiotics but TBH it took 4 days. What worked for me was to get in the hottest shower possible, nurse RIGHT after on the infected side and MASSAGE the entire feeding (15 min for me). My breast would kill the entire time but the massage was the only thing IMO that relieved the infection. The heat made the massaging bearable. Even then I had silent tears those first 4 days. Some people recommended using vibration to massage and get the ducts flowing quicker but I didn't have one to try. Good luck lady! Wishing you some relief ASAP!

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• hollandmama member

  July 2014

  Sorry you are going through this, it sucks!

  
  

  My nipple soreness lasted for 3 weeks, I had mastitis right after that... I got antibiotics and it only lasted for around 2 or 3 days. Doing cold compresses helped SO MUCH! I had to do cold then warm and repeat. My midwife gave me a great idea: soak a sanitary pad in water, then put it inside a plastic bag and freeze it. You can use it over and over again as a compress and you can mould it too.

  
  

  Good luck 

       

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• Guennie member

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  jfresh said:

  Ouch I can't imagine getting it so early, I hope you feel better quickly! In my experience I felt some relief after 24 hours and felt better after 48 (fever down and a bit more energy). The boob did take another day or two to feel a little more normal. Did you doctor prescribe a pain reliever for post partum pain? I'd take those (maybe you got naproxen?) to help with the pain. The heating pad was my best friend during mastitis and if you have a microwaveable rice hot compress thing that was really nice too. Cold will help the nipple feel better.
  
  You could massage with essential oil like lavender if you have it (I'd keep away from nipple area and wipe it before baby nurses). Really just getting rest and applying heat was my main relief. Emptying the boob is painful but also good for it. Nursing will be better than pumping. I know it's HORRIBLE pain but I had to take very deep breaths and focus on it being over soon. If I couldn't take it anymore I'd pull him off and take a break.

  This. It also took a couple days for the antibiotics to really kick in for me. I used both a microwaveable rice pack and the Lansinoh gel packs. The cold after nursing/pumping really helped.
  
  I can't remember how long it took for my nipples to feel better, it's kind of a blur. I had a lot of pain. I still have discomfort when pumping, I just have sensitive nipples. It's much better than it was though. Hang in there, sorry you're going through this! Get as much rest as you can and keep pushing the fluids!
  
  Edited because I'm sick and apparently can't type today.
  
  

  Me:41, DH:41 Positive for MTHFR mutations- one copy C677T, one copy A1298C. One daughter born on Thanksgiving in 2013. Six losses.

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• foreverapartofme member

  July 2014

  Thank you all for the encouragement and sharing what worked for you!  My fever subsided but still feeling more tired than usual and my breast is aching.  I definitely like the warm compresses and will try the cold compresses.  I'm going to try to suck it up and have baby nurse on it again this afternoon.  I've been trying to pump then go into the shower and massage under hot water to try to work out the issue.  

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