Blocked Milk Duct?

[~me~]

I think I have a blocked milk duct. I woke up on Saturday with a small pimple like lump on the side of my left nipple. It is sore to touch and about the size of a large pea.
I looked around BB on Saturday and I am pretty sure it's a blocked milk duct. I have been doing the running the breast under the shower and massaging and also getting DD to feed from that side first most of the time. I don't have any mastitis symptons yet.
The lump seems to be smaller, it's still very tender to feed from and massage.
How long does it usally take to unblock?
How long should I let it go for before I see a Dr and what do you think a Dr would do about it?

Thanks in advance for your help..DD is screaming now for a feed so I had better run.

Heather

[NaeNae]

I read on herre a while ago of a women who pushed through the pain and worked the blockage through her nipple in the shwoer much like popping a zit knowing me thats what i would do.
if you sudden feel a bit off or headachy then get to a dr jic.

nae x x

[Jennifer13]

Just a word of caution on massaging the duct - ducts are quite sensitive and you can damage one by pressing too hard. My GP advised fingertip strokes, very gentle, going towards the nipple. You could try putting a heat pack or warm washer on the area before bfing and an ice pack afterwards to help reduce the inflammation as well. Try adjusting your bfing hold when feeding your DD to help clear the blockage. Sometimes using a football hold will work where you normally use a cradle hold.

[wysiwyg]

I have had blocked ducts a couple of times and found the best way to get rid was to lie DD on the bed and then be on all fours over her positioning so her chin over/in line with the blocked duct - it isn't very comfy, DD thinks is hilarious but normally if can keep the position for five mins seems to work well and far better than just feeding (my blocked ducts always seem to be opposite to where her chin would normally be). It can feel tender for a couple of days afterwards but the lump is no longer there.

[~me~]

Thanks for the advice and tips everyone.
I have booked in to the GP tomorrow. The lump seems to have a white head on it like a blister or pimple so I am getting it looked at. It's been a few days now and the lump is still tender. I am still feeding from it, DD doesn't seem to mind so I am hoping the GP will be able to do something.
I have read that U/Sound on the area may help too, so once I have seen the GP tomorrow I may look into that with my local Physio if I don't get anywhere with the GP.
The lump almost seems boil like???

[wysiwyg]

When I have had blocked ducts have never had anything visible on the skin surface only can feel the lump, so sounds like is a good idea to have it checked out. I have also heard that ultrasound can be used on blocked ducts, but only certain physios do it.

[MantaRay]

Heather, that sounds like white spot. It is reasonably common - basically like a blocked duct with a bit of skin over it. Some women use a sterilised needle to lift the covering skin back and then pull out a string of dried milk. This usually relieves the pain, but white spot does tend to be recurring. The ABA helpline can give you more info if you are interested. The GP should also be able to lift the skin up and clear it for you anyway tomorrow so it's fine to leave it until then.

GL.

[~me~]

Well I am just not sure really
I went to the GP and I have been given an AB script. He didn't really know what it was and when I explained to him what I thought he wasn't too keen to go piercing it.
I am taking the AB's just in case, will give it a few more days and see if it clears up itself. I did some more research and it appears to be a a milk blister, or blocked nipple pore, is also called a bleb.
I rang the ABA and they said it sounded like white spot Manta Ray. So hard when they can't see and the Dr hadn't seen something like this before.
I am hoping it will clear itself. I rang a medicine hotline to make sure the AB's wouldn't interfere with BF, an apparenlty only a small amount will go through.
As it is so close to the nipple but not actually on it, it's on the areola area so I am hoping it is the milk blister and so on and will clear itself up.

Thanks again for all your advice and tips.