Sore right breast

[Calluna]

It hurts soo much! The slightest touch is making me cringe, and even when it's not being touched it hurts alot.

I've googled the symptoms of mastitis and blocked ducts but I don't think it really fits.
The pain starts high up at the top of my breast and goes all the way down to my nipple and is about 3cm's wide (??). It kind of feels like it's bruised, but there is no reason it should.

I can kind of feel a lump but I'm not sure, it's not hard, more just like normal breast tissue but slightly swollen?

I don't think I'm explaining this very well

Any idea's what it might be or how I can stop it hurting so much? I tried a cold pack but I don't think it's done much...

[Ozstar]

Perhaps give the ABA a call 1800 mum 2 mum. When I have had blocked ducts it always felt like a bruise.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

i agree with Oz, give the ABA a call!

Hope your bb feels better soon!

[Kmn]

It sounds like a blocked duct to me.
Warm pack, feed baby, express, hand express, cool pack.
Take some ibuprofen to help with the swelling - and if you start to feel crap all over rather than just sore boob then get to the doctor for antibiotics.
Ultrasound treatment from physios is very good for clearing blocked ducts - but you need to make sure that your physio has experience with duct-zapping.

[Calluna]

Thanks everyone, I'll try Kmn's suggestion first, if it doesn't work I'll give the ABA a call.

Everything I read sounded so final. There WILL be a lump,there WILL be swelling, etc. What would I do without BB.

[MantaRay]

What they said LOL! Another thing to try is gently massaging from the top of the sore spot, towards the nipple while feeding or expressing. Feeding on all fours can help to, as gravity helps to clear any blockages.

Best of luck hun, I hope it goes away without any more fuss.

[Calluna]

Woke up feeling really sick this morning, nauseaus, headache, congested. Does this sound like mastitis or something seperate? I've been feeling congested the last day or so.

DS is quite snotty as well but seems otherwise fine.

Thanks Manta Ray, I have tried massaging but it doesnt seem to help and just hurts alot.

[MantaRay]

Heva, it could be mastitis, especially if you are feeling extra tired as well, or have a fever. Is there any redness on your breast, or does it feel warm or hot? It could be a good idea to see a doctor in case, one who knows about breastfeeding is preferable - is there anywhere open near you today? It's a pity these things always seem to happen on a long weekend.

[Calluna]

I am really tired but that could just be because DS hasn't been sleeping well. I dont think I have a fever...

There is one little red spot (about the size of a 10cent peice) down near my nipple, it doesn't seem like it's in the right place as the pain is mostly higher up, could it be that where I feel the pain and where the cause is are two different places? It doesn't feel hot, but thn again my fingers are freezing so I can't feel much at all. lol

I don't know, my usual doctor has just stopped bulk billing for over 16year olds. So I have to find a new one. It's so hard to find a decent bulk billing doctor, only about 1for every 6 or 7 I have been to have been any good.

[Ozstar]

I agree with MR, if you can see a Dr I would. Also keep up with the hot and cold packs and making sure that breast gets emptied properly. I used to do the massage in the shower, the warmth will help clear an blockage.
I hope your feeling better soon.

[Miss E]

It does sound like it could be turning into mastitis hon, try and get to the doctor if you can. When I had a blocked duct my doc recommended putting a cabbage leaf (a bit weird I know) in my bra, it helps reduce the swelling and inflamation. I found that, along with all the other tips you've been given really helped to work out my blockage.

[Calluna]

I just fed DS but after about 5 mins of feeding on that side he chucked a tanty and refused to take anymore from that side. I put him on the other side and he had a big drink and went to sleep. I tried using the pump and hand expressing but couldn't get much and it hurt like hell. I just want it to go away

Miss E - I've heard that before, I'll see if we've got a cabbage....

Ozstar - I'll give the shower a go soon. I feel so sick right now, I dunno if I can stand up in the shower for long enough. lol

[Ozstar]

Oh hun sounds like you really need to get to a Dr. Just sit down in the shower, maybe even take the pump on there and have a go expressing (or hand expressing).

[HotI]

If you can't get into the doctors today, do you have a women's hospital that you can go to? Mastitis can get serious very quickly.

I know i'm only a novice at this breastfeeding thing, but i had a blockage and expressing in the shower also worked best for me.

take care,

kate

[[M]umma[M]ia]

If you cant afford the doc appointment atm, just head down to the Emergency department at your local hospital. You may have to wait a little bit, but there will be someone who can help you.

[MantaRay]

Heva hun, it sounds a lot like mastitis, and as Kate says, that can get very nasty very quickly. On the other hand, antibiotics usually help ease it within 24 hours. This is not something that wait hun, if there is a doctor open near you, bulk-bill or not, I would go and see them, otherwise go to your nearest emergency room. If the doctor doesn't know a lot about breastfeeding, let him know that penicillin is the best antibiotic for mastitis.

The other ideas for clearing the blockage and easing the inflammation are important too, but once an infection takes hold they aren't enough on their own.

[Calluna]

Thanks everyone, I've rung around and found an open bulk billing place, hopefully they aren't too bad. :S the lady on the phone was really nice so I am hopeful the doc is the same.

can I breast feed and take a/b?

[Ree*Ree]

please go to the doctor/emergency - I left my mastitis too long thinking I could fix it and that it wasn't serious enough to go to hospital. I ended up in emergency with an abscess and had to have it surgically drained, not fun! though you're probably not as stubborn as me, and are on you're way to the docs now good luck