Fuck.

[rivka]

I have mastitis.

I thought mastitis was something that happened very early in the course of a breastfeeding relationship, so when I didn't get massively, massively ill in the first few weeks with Colin the way I did with Alex, I foolishly thought I was home free.

Ha.

It started yesterday afternoon with a sore, aching breast and the feeling that I was waaaay overdue to pump at work when, in actuality, I had just pumped. I came home and tried to nurse Colin a lot on that side. I took a long hot shower at bedtime and tried to use massage, but honestly it didn't feel a lot like the plugged duct I had before (i.e., noticeable lump, very localized, easily fixed).

Today my breast feels awful, like it's full of ground glass, and I also ache all over and have nausea and chills. I keep trying to nurse and nurse Colin but I still feel horribly engorged. And then this afternoon I noticed a bright red patch on my breast, like a 2x2-inch sunburn. That's mastitis.

The good news is that after a brief phone consult my midwife called in an antibiotic and Michael has gone to pick it up. It hurts like hell to nurse, and I feel sick all over.

I can't believe how quickly this came on and how lousy I feel.

Comments

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry! This is what mastitis was like for me too - it didn't hit until DL! was nine months, and then it hit fast and awful. Antibiotics, thank heaven, were an immense and immediate relief.

[ailbhe]

Oh, fuck, indeed, and double fuck. You poor thing. I hope the antibiotics kick in fast. Colin's a solid little nurser, which should really help - Linnea fixed my (again late-onset) mastitis really quickly because she had a serious suckle.

I hope it passes quickly. It usually does, for most people; you were *really* unlucky last time, you know. It's very unlikely to be that bad again.

[erbie.livejournal.com]

I didn't get my first and only (so far) bout of mastitis until my first child was at least two years old and I was also very surprised at getting it at that late date. Nurse or pump as much as you can, even though it hurts. The antibiotics will get rid of it, but in the meantime, you want to remove the milk and not let it sit in the breast. Also, stay in bed as much as possible and drink lots of fluids. Treat it like the flu. If you find a hard spot, point Colin's chin at it when you nurse him, if possible. Babies are better at getting plugs out than pumps are.

Also, so as not to end up with thrush, some probiotics at different times than the antibiotics could be helpful.

[wiredferret.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, that is no fun at all. I'm sorry it is miserable. But the antibiotics are superfast and awesome.

When I went through my bout, I pumped and dumped from the infected side, partially because I didn't want to share the ick and partially because I could not stand to be touched by anyone else.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Mine didn't happen with kids, of course, it was while I was in the hospital with the second renal failure. The antibiotics and pain meds made it much better very quickly; I hope yours goes away just as fast.

[anthologie.livejournal.com]

Sympathy. I had mastitis that wouldn't go away from my daugher's 3rd to 9th week - three courses of antibiotics, lactation consultants, ultrasound treatments, castor oil packs, soaking my breast in epsom salts, getting up round the clock, pumping, nursing, letting my partner nurse on me. We did everything. Finally it went away. It's freaky how fast it comes on. Good thing the antibiotics are on their way. You'll be feeling better soon.

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

Ugh ugh ugh! I am so scared of getting that! :( I hope you recover quickly.

N.

[acceberskoorb.livejournal.com]

:( *gentle hug*

[ex-serenejo.livejournal.com]

Oh, you poor dear! *hugs*

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Ugh ugh ugh! Hope the antibiotics start working soon and you start feeling better quickly!

[aloha-moira.livejournal.com]

:( That really sounds un-fun. Hope it goes away as quickly as it set in!

[fairoriana.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry. I hope the antibiotics kick in superfast and you feel better quickly!