Troubles with the left boob AGAIN! I've had enough!

[~Stoked~]

I don't know what to do!

I think i am getting Mastitis again. I have always had problems with the left boob. I always get blocked ducts. Now i have a massive lump under the nipple and it is VERY painful! I do all the things you are supposed to do with blocked ducts.. feeding regularly off that side, expressing in the shower, warm compress, massage etc etc... and nothing seems to make a difference! I don't know why it only happens on the one side and i just don't know what to do about it anymore! I am sick of taking antibiotics, i only just took a course a few weeks ago for the last bout of Mastitis!

Is there ANYTHING else i can do about it? Like i have said i have tried all the 'traditional' solutions for blocked ducts and they are just not working! I read something about ultrasound.. would this be an option for me and how would i go about it?

I breastfed my DD for 22 months without a single problem, ever. Why now? Why just the one side? My DS has BF'd like a pro since day one. He still BF's about 12 times per 24 hours. I always wear maternity bras and try not to let my BB's get engorged as this makes the problem worse.

Thanks so much. I don't want to give up breastfeeding just yet but can't stand this pain anymore.

[AnyDream]

Definitely look into getting some ultrasound done, a physio who specialises in women's health should be able to help you with this.

In any case, you should discuss this with your GP. If the blockages continue to manifest in the same area after US treatment this is a good reason to have your breast thoroughly checked out. Not to be alarmist but lactation can hide breast changes like lumps etc that would otherwise be noticed so you need to be vigilant if you have persistant problems in one area of your breast. Speaking from personal experience here.

[Snowy Love]

The only thing I can think of is if you sleep on your tummy (hence your breast) it can cause blockages. Can you get A to feed sitting up so he drains the breast in a different position than normal?

Hope you feel better soon

[~Stoked~]

Thanks Marydean.. i have booked an appointment with my GP and will get her to refer me some place to have a u/s done. I was a bit worried about the lumps even before i had any real problem with them so thankyou for making me realise i need to get it checked.

Snowy, I don't sleep on my tummy. Most of the night i sleep on my side with my arm up in the air with a baby laying juuuuuuust next to me so i can't move and i wake up feeling like i've slept in a tree! haha! But thankyou for trying to help anyway!

I noticed i had a little white spot (like a blister) on my nipple so i popped it with a needle i had sterilised and some milk squirted out. Since then it has felt as though it has drained quite a bit but there is still a bit of a lump there and it is still quite painful. Hopefully it will all be better tomorrow!

Thanks so much ladies x

[aussienic]

Is there a chance with the extra feeding and massaging that you are making more milk on the side?

I have only had mastitis a couple of times and it healed quickly with Ab's so I don't know an awful lot about it

I am just going to PM you a link to a site I used to go to for help with Breastfeeding..

[Kmn]

The ultrasound from physiotherapists works really well.
A few things to think about:
Do you wear your bub? And if you do has he grown to the point where he is pressing on that spot with a knee or something similar?
Do you need to get a bra fitting again?
Lecithin can be helpful too. And when you actually have a blockage, try ibuprofen to reduce the pain and inflammation too.

[MantaRay]

Hun, I think you might have found your problem! That is called a white spot, or a milk blister. Basically some skin grows over a duct on the nipple and this blocks the duct. The skin needs to be scraped away (or pierced with a sterile needle) and the milk behind the blister cleared out - often a string of dried milk can be pulled out. Now that you have done this, you should find that the lump eases. They can re-occur though so you might need to do your needle trick again (or you could try scraping the skin away first - soak your breast in warm to hot water or put a warm, wet cloth on your breast and then try rubbing the blister firmly but gently).

I hope this is the end of the mastitis for you hun.

[Renee_AW]

I had a similar problem & the LC suggested taking Lecithin (1200mg x 3 per day) to help break down the fat in my milk. Also suggested a low fat diet but I already have one.

It took about 2 weeks to work but I haven't had a blocked duct since (about 8 weeks) and I used to get them all of the time in both breasts.

[~Stoked~]

Thankyou so much ladies!

MantaRay, you are right! The blister has reappeared and I've had to pop it several times over the last few days! I am seeing the Dr on Wed so I'll see what can be done about it.

Thanks once again!