Mastitis. Do i have to go on antibiotics?

[Mum2SweetCs]

Hi guys,

Yesterday I developed mastitis and had the shivers. I was in bed since 12pm yesterday and have been following the ABA guidelines (ie resting, trying to feed as often, not wearing a bra)

The shivers have gone and I feel ok now but my boob is still sore (although I cannot feel anymore lumps)

Do I still need to go on antibiotics? I will be seeing the doctor later this afternoon but really want to try and avoid antibiotics.

thanks in advance

[KitFaerie]

I didn't go on antibiotics but that's because I didn't get any breast symptoms until I'd had a fever and been throwing up for 3 days. I figured I was over the worst of it by then! Its tough though, I hope resting and feeding means no antibiotics for you!

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[NicNac]

I had the fever also and skipped the antibiotics- still took panadol, and nurofen, lots of feeding and massaging breast in the shower, but got through it. It's not that easy for us to get into our docs, so I got a script as a back up but never filled it.
Rest as much as you can, take care and I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Mum2SweetCs]

Thanks ladies
I feel heaps heaps better than yesterday. I might do what you did NicNac and get a prescription just incase

I only got scared because when i was reading about it it said you can develop breast abscess!

[Arimeh]

My midwife never recommended antibiotics - she recommended using apple cider vinegar to remove the lump and then rest, rest, rest and lots of water.

[onthefly]

you don't *have* to, sometimes the infection will clear on its own. You do want to keep an eye on it and make sure it really is getting better.

[Cassius2]

we were advised against ABs they also run a higher risk of then developing boob thrush which is a real PITA to get rid of.

[Sagres]

If you have got rid of the lumps you might have avoided the full effects of mastitis before they developed. The first time I got mastitis I was kind of in this borderline state where I felt tired, achy, hot and terrible but each day I could mostly clear the blockage and be OK, but eventually it got much worse and I really had to have antibiotics. If you have been kind of borderline and gone the 'right' way - woo hoo!

[Liz]

I've been borderline a couple of times before, shivering, sore, achey. Managed to just feed and massage it away. Last time though, I got really sick really quickly, throwing up within a few hours of feeling the sore boob. Was really ill the next day and dr gave me antibiotics. Eventually cleared the blockage in the shower (a LOT of brown gunk came out my boob *gag* ) and it improved quickly after that. I guess if I'd managed to clear the blockage earlier I could have held off the antibiotics. Sounds to me like you're doing ok. I think if it's going to hit hard, it does it quite quickly. If you're seeing doc anyway, maybe grab a script to have on hand. Doesn't hurt to have it there if you get really ill another time.