Thanks for all the replies....just wanted to update

Marydean - it turned out that Ned had a viral infection, just got it quite badly. It cleared up eventually by itself but wow was it festy for a while!

I finally found a great doc who did a swab of my nipple - not thrush at all so obviously Ned didn't have thrush either. It was a staph infection. On round 3 of ABs now and kenacomb cream (thanks Barb, it's great!). Nipple still sore and still just expressing on that side. If Ned feeds on it then it just splits right open again so plan is to let it well and truley heal so I can get on top of this.

Barb a quick question - my doc actually rang and spoke to the LC at the hospital for me who said to either do what we are doing, or wean which was the only real option for the mastitis clearing up?????? Correct me if I'm wrong but is this kinda bizarre advice from a LC? Ned won't let me wean him atm anyway so not really an option.