Oh no, it seems I have Mastitis :(

**PumpkinZulu** · June 2nd, 2011, 06:23 PM

Yesterday my left breast started to feel a little bit tender around the nipple. It took me aback a bit, because once out of the first trimester my breasts have not been tender or sore at all. Since then it has progressed to the whole left breast being almost unbearably sore. It feels very deeply bruised, sensitive and tender. Every now and then I'll get a shooting pain. I have also felt very under the weather today and for the past couple of days - fatigued, now energy, achy, a bit of a runny nose. I spoke to my Doula this evening and she said it sounds very much like mastitis. It's rare for someone to get mastitis when pregnant and not BFing, bit apparently it can happen. I have been producing a lot of colostrum, leaking everywhere, able to squirt etc, and over the past week it hasn't really been leaking like it has in the past. I've been massaging my left boob in the shower, it's so painful, and I could only get one or two small droplets of colostrum from it when I tried and that was agony. I've made an appointment to see my doctor tomorrow, and I'm keeping an eye on my temperature...anything else I can do? I've asked DH to pick up a cabbage from the supermarket lol!

**Ginger** · June 2nd, 2011, 06:50 PM

Omg you poor thing! I had no idea you could get it when pg!
Have you got a pump? I wonder if it's worth trying to express to empty it a bit?

**PumpkinZulu** · June 2nd, 2011, 06:53 PM

Omg you poor thing! I had no idea you could get it when pg!
Have you got a pump? I wonder if it's worth trying to express to empty it a bit?

Neither did I! But apparently so

I hope it's not, actually whatever it is I hope my GP can help me, it's so painful.

I was reading a few factsheets about mastitis before baby, apparently they do not recommend pumping. I've been told not to express or anything until after the doctor tomorrow.

Ow ow ow.

**Ginger** · June 2nd, 2011, 06:57 PM

Can you take antibiotics?

**PumpkinZulu** · June 2nd, 2011, 07:02 PM

Yep. Well, if they're pregnancy safe. I assume they would be because of BFing women who are also pregnant? In the mean time I just need to massage in the shower and use a cold compress.

***Sparklez*** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:00 PM

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you should put cabbage on them, you use cabbage when you want to dry up your milk?
I've never had mastitis but ouch it sounds painful!! Maybe try a heat pack? Or even an ice pack?
I hope it gets better soon...

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**Liz** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:02 PM

Oh no! You poor thing. Hope you feel better soon. Why do they say not to pump/express?

**Arcadia** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:05 PM

Cabbage is great for inflammation of the breast, which can happen with mastitis or when weaning etc.

Poor you pz. Mastitis is awful!

***Sparklez*** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:16 PM

Cabbage is great for inflammation of the breast, which can happen with mastitis or when weaning etc.

No way!! See you learn something new everyday!!

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**PumpkinZulu** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:35 PM

No idea on the not pumping

I wanted to get DH on it after a shower to see if thy helps

My temp has gone up from 36.6 to 37 over the last 2 hours, I feel very achy

Thank you all for the advice and sympathy.

**Ree*Ree** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:39 PM

Oh you poor thing, definitely be getting yourself to the doc tomorrow! Plenty of massage with a hot flannel on beforehand or in the hot shower like you have been doing. Then a cool one after to soothe. You want to get the duct/s unblocked - don't leave it like I did and end up in hossy with an abscess in your boob! My doc also sent me off for ultrasound therapy on my boob, not sure what the go is during pregnancy though?

**Smoke Jaguar** · June 2nd, 2011, 09:45 PM

Shower, massage, shower, massage, shower! Don't worry about the water use - it's for medicinal use!
The cabbage should be find as long as you're not leaving it on for hours at a time. Take the leaves off when they lose their firmness and have become warm, take a break, then put them on later. You shouldn't need to apply them much to reduce inflammation.
They CAN be used to dry up supply, as well - so it's more about moderation

I've had these symptoms more times than I care to think about, and I've managed to stave off the full blown affair to never have to be on AB's...but then, I also had a small succubus to help me out, too, and it might be a bit more drawn out pre-baby.
Definitely commiserations from me! xxx

**Eenee** · June 2nd, 2011, 10:00 PM

hope all is ok. But a temp of 37 is normal and not even in the fever range so I wouldn't be concerned about that.

**Phteven** · June 2nd, 2011, 10:02 PM

At this stage I wouldn't be too worried about drying up your milk. It will come back when it's needed.
I hope you feel better soon.

**PumpkinZulu** · June 2nd, 2011, 10:08 PM

hope all is ok. But a temp of 37 is normal and not even in the fever range so I wouldn't be concerned about that.

I know, but my body temp never really goes over 36.5, it's now 37.3. Eh, time for bed and Panadol I think. DH forgot the cabbage, so I'm using a bag of peas. And eating said peas out of a hole I poked in the bag

Dulls the pain

**onthefly** · June 2nd, 2011, 10:12 PM

Does it present differently pre-birth? mastitis is generally very rapid in onset. one minute you're fine, the next you're doubled over with a raging fever.
Anyway, hope you can get it sorted and feel better soon.

Do cabbage leaves dry up your milk? how does that work?

**Liz** · June 2nd, 2011, 11:13 PM

LOL at the peas!

The one time I've nearly had it, it came on fairly quickly. Was a bit sore through the day, and by night I had the shivers and was almost in tears with the pain in my boob. We managed to feed our way through it tho and was better by morning.

Be gentle with the massaging, I've heard that can damage the milk ducts. I believe it's more a gentle stroking to get things moving along. I usually did this whilst feeding to help clear it while bub sucked. Still trying to understand how you would clear mastitis without feeding or expressing! Isla will be here shortly to help you out