What is this pain?

[Lily Dust]

Hi All

Woke up about 3am with my right boob in agony. DD feeding normally etc and see no reason for why it has happened. We struggled with engorgement until about 10 months but it seems to have subsided, nipple damage and over supply but all has been smooth sailing for the past 3-4 months. Im struggling to put it into words so here my best shot:

right side swollen (only underneath and to the side)
no redness
hard 'bits' on the one side of breast like engorgement but only half the boob kwim?? Can find hard places but no pea like lumps? I have had many a blocked duct in the early days BUT I seem to have forgotten what that felt like!
Cant lift my arm or touch the boob with out a lot of pain
It aches even when Im not moving.

Any ideas...is it blocked ducts or mastitis?? I feel ok other than one agonising booby! Oh DD is almost 14 months old so we arent in the early days

Thanks heaps

[UntoldAngel]

blocked duct maybe... I get that but on the top of my left boob
can you get to a dr to maybe get it checked? Feed bub off that side, warm washer, massage and see if it gets better

[onthefly]

Sounds like a blockage. Try a warm washer/shower, massage and plenty of feeding from that side. If you can, position your DD so her chin is on the lump. The ABA will have lots more ideas for helping if you give them a call. Also keep an eye out for any signs of illness in case of mastitis.

[Lily Dust]

Thanks heaps girls, I have been up to see the midwives and they have said at this stage they think blockage, but as said if I start to feel sick to come back for antibiotics as there are signs of redness also this afternoon. Have a few ideas to assist too because as I explained to them DD isnt coming to the party on taking any more feeds today! it is just so sore!

Thanks again

[MantaRay]

How are you going with clearing it hun? Redness is a sign that it's getting infected so if you can't clear it tonight I would go back for antibiotics tomorrow. Maybe hand expressing in a warm shower might help? Good luck!

[Smoke Jaguar]

hot bath, massage, heat pack - as often as you have to! I completely justify long showers when I have blocked ducts that are threatening infection, because it's for medicinal purposes - hot showers and baths for you!

[Swoop]

Hot shower and feed from that side immediately after works for me every time with blocked ducts. Good lick with it Hun

[Lily Dust]

Thanks Manta, I think I have cleared the majority of it with hand expressing and kneading my boob like a bit of dough it is still very tender but I can move and cant feel incredibly big hard bits today, once the swelling subsided and I started expressing I could find those pea sized lumps~ ouch!

Maya, I might try the bath tonight too, that way I can lay back in it and it is of course only for my well being

Thanks swoop

Thanks so much ladies, I will keep an eye on it and watch for the redness coming back so great to be able to yell out and have everyones guidance and experience!