Mastitis

Question: Mastitis????? Has anyone had mastitis? How long did it take to go away? I have had it off and on for about two months now, it does not seem to be going away. I will be seeing an ob, but had to wait for a few weeks to get in. Anyways, is it normal for it to last, to come back, it's not really so bad at the moment, but am still worried.

Answer: How can I treat it? See your caregiver if your symptoms don't improve within 12 to 24 hours of applying moist heat to your breasts, feeding your baby more frequently, and taking ibuprofen to ease the pain. She'll prescribe antibiotics, bedrest, pain relievers, and hot compresses. When the antibiotics kick in during the next 48 hours, you'll start feeling better. Another way to ease the pain: Nurse frequently to keep the affected breast empty, which may help clear up the infection faster. How long will it last? If the infection is diagnosed early, it's easy and quick to treat, and you won't need to stop nursing from the affected breast. Be sure to take all of the prescribed antibiotics to keep the infection from returning a few days or weeks later. It won't be long before you feel 100 percent better. If your breast remains tender and you still have a fever, call your healthcare provider without delay. Ignoring mastitis can cause complications. If untreated, it can lead to breast abscesses, which require antibiotics, and surgery (usually performed while the patient is under general anesthesia) to drain the abscess. The best way to avoid mastitis is to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy, balanced diet while you're nursing. The more run down you are, the more susceptible to infection you become. Should I stop nursing if I have mastitis? No. In fact, it's important that you continue nursing through an infection. Although nursing may be extremely painful at times, you need to let your baby feed frequently to keep your milk supply flowing and avoid further blockage. Try warm compresses on your breasts for several minutes before each feeding — this should help stimulate your letdown reflex and make nursing more tolerable. If your baby doesn't empty the inflamed breast during each feeding, finish the job yourself with a breast pump. And if you find that nursing is unbearable, try pumping your breasts and giving the milk to your baby in a bottle. But don't rely on this solely to get you through the infection, as your baby can "pump" your breasts more efficiently than any device.

Question: How to relieve mastitis and manage to combine breasfteeding with working fulltime? I am back to work this week but still breastfeeding a seven-months old. I was planning to express during the day but pumping gave me mastitis (a blocked duct with hard, swollen breast, very painful) and I am on really strong antibiotics. If pumping causes me pain, what else can I do? My breasts are getting pretty full and I feel really uncomfortable. Please help! Any advice would be much appreciated.

Answer: Ginger is a great way to reduce your breast milk. Obviously don't eat it excessively as it will dry out your milk, but a little will help relieve some of that built up milk. Is the breast pump positioned right? I don't want to sound like a smart @rse i mean i found that i was positioning the pump wrong. Maybe a different brand? There's always the option of expressing by hand? Its best to express. I know the pain Ive been there and it hurts!!! But trust me even if you manage to express an ounce or two you will feel the pressure ease off a bit. Also hot towel on your breast may help and a hot bath may help for some of the milk to express on its own. Try a gentle massage of the breasts. Like circular motion to help with the blocked ducts. Hope its of some help. Feel better soon.

Question: How long does the lump from mastitis take to go away? I developed mastitis when my baby was 2 months old. I got on antibiotics, but then I got an abscess. This whole time I never had any symptoms, and both developed very quickly. I was in the ER for an incision and drainage. The incision was on the areola so I was unable to breastfeed or pump. The incision fully healed 3 weeks ago. Milk has once again started to come from that breast. I started pumping, but only a little bit is coming out. I don't want mastitis to develop again. Is there anything I should do? How long does it take for the lump to go away?

Answer: It can take from a week to three month for them to go away. But they eventually will. When you nurse you should give the affected breast first and let him empty it completely. Try to nurse more often at least every 2-3hours to keep the breast as empty as possible. If your baby does not want to eat that often you can try pumping, don’t let your breasts get full or engorged. Make warm compresses with a wash cloth or a disposable diaper. Take hot showers/baths and massage your breasts towards the direction of the nipple while in the shower. Don’t wear a bra with underwires and make sure to let the nipple air dry after nursing.

Question: My cat has mastitis. And is there anything I can do for her at home to make her more comfortable? My cat has mastitis,She was seperated from her kittens only 1 days ago. Her teats are very engorged and look like they are painful. How can I tell if she has mastitis? And is there anything I can do for her at home to make her more comfortable?

Answer: You can try warming her abdomen. Use a cloth and put it under some warm water. Make sure to Ring it out. Then lay it out on your cats abdomen. It should make her feel better. She might be jumpy at first but it really helps.

Question: What is the difference between mastitis and a breast cyst? 'm a sixteen year old girl and last week I discovered a lump in my breast, this lump has started to swell and hurt, and it is a blue-ish color. It was a once in a while sharp pain, but now has developed into a continuous throb; My doctor said that it could either be mastitis, and has provided antibiotics, or a breast cyst; I will only get an ultrasound in December because of the line up... Is there any tell tale sign that separates these two possible diagnosis?

Answer: The difference between mastitis and a cyst is that with mastitis there will be pain to the touch and some redness. It will then clear up with antibiotics. With a cyst you will feel a lump and if it's easy to move that means that it is most likely a cyst that is noncancerous. The bluish color that you notice could be one of your veins that has gotten a bit larger if there is swelling going on such as if you are getting close to your period. Because of how intense the pain is though I would recommend asking the doctor about trying to get this done sooner. Let them know that with this pain that you don't feel you can wait til Dec (I just ran in to an issue like this). If you would like to talk some more about this please feel free to e-mail me off site any time.

Question: I have mastitis. How long does it take for the antibiotics to work? I started them as well as ibuprofen, about 40 hours ago and was feeling a bit better yesterday. The doc has put me on half a dose as i am breastfeeding. I woke today with a 40 + temp and I feel really unwell. How long did it take for you to get rid of mastitis? I may go back to the doc today if i don't feel better later but just curious to hear your experiences.

Answer: You poor thing, mastitis is miserable. The ABs usually kick in quite quickly. I would think that by the end of today you should definitely notice a difference. It might be worth having a look on kellymom about the best type of ABs to take for mastitis while BFing because I'm surprised your doctor has only given you half a dose. But if they do the job then there's no problem. Sometimes, with the best intention in the world, doctors aren't confident prescribing medicine to BFing women so it's worth making sure that you know what's available and suitable. Print it off if necessary.

Question: How long does it take to fell better from mastitis? I had to go to the ER last night with a 105 temperature and a bad pain in my breast. The doctor said that I have mastitis and gave me IV antibiotics and sent me home with a prescription. My fever is a lot lower, but not gone, but I still feel really dizzy and drained. I am going back to the ER tonight because they wanted to see me in 24 hours. Does anyone know how long this usually lasts?

Answer: Oh I am so sorry. I have had mastitis and its really bad. My fever wasn't that high 102. I had oral antibiotics. It took about 3 days to feel completely better. I felt dizzy, drained and had fever/pain for 2 days though it lessened after 24 hours on the antibiotic

Question: Is it possible to get mastitis 7 months after stopping breastfeeding? I had my daughter 9 months ago. When she was about 7 weeks old I got mastitis. It was horrible. My milk would not come back in after that. I tried EVERYTHING! Now I am having breast pain again like when I had mastitis. Is it possible to get mastitis after all this time?

Answer: yes it is possible. I got it 3yrs ago and i'd not breastfed for 8yrs at the time. I was shocked as i never got it when pregnant or breastfeeding . But it was confirmed by a doctor

Question: How long will it take for a swollen lymph node from mastitis to go away? I had mastitis 3 weeks ago. Dr said I had a swollen lymph node from infection in underside of my breast. I can move it around so he was not too worried. Is there anything I can do to get it to go away faster?

Answer: Drink lots of fluids. Apply warm moist heat and massage while nursing baby. If it is not gone in a few days, have him take a look again.

Question: I have Mastitis and ive stopped breastfeeding do i need 2 express? Im on penicilin for the mastitis which i started yesterday, am i meant to express my milk or is it best to leave it? Ive started bottle feeding my baby since last night and not going back to breastfeeding.

Answer: With mastitis, it's very important, even if on medicine, to empty the breast frequently of milk. The best way to do this is by nursing; there is no need to stop nursing while on penicillin. If you are planning on weaning anyway, then now is not the time because of the infection. You should at least express, but nursing is better as the breast is emptied better. Then, after you're over the mastitis, you could gradually cut out one feeding/pumping every couple days, as a rapid weaning is a good way to get mastitis.

Question: How to treat mastitis in rabbits? I have a momma rabbit with mastitis. How do I cure it? She is not pregnant. Her babies are about 1 and 1/2 weeks old. I have raised rabbits for several years, I have just never had this in my herd. I did separate the babies off to another doe who is fostering them well.

Answer: if she is not pregnant or has not recently given birth, there is more than likely infection, so she must be brought to the vet. Good luck

Question: is it very commom to develope mastitis after a nipple piercing? im very interested in getting my breast pierced but im scarred if i get mastitis,,,ant suggestion guys and helpful tips?

Answer: As long as you take care of the piercings (by doing two sea salt soaks a day) and you are an overall healthy person, I'd think mastitis isn't very common. Someone brought this up on a piercing forum I post on.. lemme see if I can find the topic. Aha, there you be - http://www.tribalectic.com/Drupal/content/holy-hell-mastitis-no-joke

Question: Is it normal after a case of mastitis to have less milk than other side? I had mastitis in my left breast now I only produce 1 oz per pump session and 2 oz on the right. How can I bring it back up to even it out?

Answer: Yes, it is possible. I had mastitus and was told that it could happen, and it did happen to me. I started to pump on that side often to get my supply back up. Now, 7 months later I actually produce double the milk on that side than I produce on the side that didn't even have it. Just feed often on that side and if you have a pump use it for a little while to get your milk supply back up. Best Wishes.

Question: My dog has Mastitis and how much will the bill be? I am taking my dog to the Vet first thing in the morning for Mastitis and I was just wondering how much on average the Vet bill will be? Plz do not be rude I am just wondering What all will the Vet do to get rid of it?

Answer: Whatever the cost, just consider it the price you have to pay when using your dog as your personal ATM.

Question: Mastitis decreased my breast milk supply. How can i increase the supply? After having mastitis my milk supply has decreased im only managing to pump one ounce from one breast and half an ounce from the other, it has been like this since yesterday. Besides feeding and using a breast pump which i am already doing how can i stimulate production? My baby is two weeks old should i give her formula milk to make up her feeds or wait for my milk to come through?

Answer: I am a lactation consultant. Careful posters, Fenugreek absolutely DOES have side effects. Yes, it is an herb but most medications are made from herbs, so it being over the counter does not make it safe for all people. For example, Fenugreek can lower blood sugar levels, so it is not recommended for diabetics. This is one example, there are others. Carefully research anything you ingest: herb or pharmacy drug. Now to address the question of milk supply. Reduction in supply due to mastitis is a common occurence. I do agree with other posters about frequent feeds. Breast milk supply is a simple DEMAND=SUPPLY system. The more you empty the more you make, the less you empty the less you make. So frequent emptying and stimulation is key. I call it taking a nursing holiday. Spend all day nursing your baby, doing little else but sleep and eating. This will usually do the trick of increasing your supply. If it does not work, then yes considering a galactogogue (milk supply herb) can be considered but only when consulted by a lactation consultant and physician to monitor you while on it. Hope this helps.

Question: Is it normal to still experience breast tenderness almost 12 years after having mastitis? I still have a small amount of a mass that never went away. I still feel the urge to nurse when I hear an infant cry. I recently began to feel the need to express to relieve the pain & tenderness and when I do small amounts of milk come out. Is any of this normal? My first child is almost 12 (he's the one I got mastitis with) and my youngest is 8 1/2.

Answer: I think you should contact a physician or an obstetrician.

Question: Is it dangerous to wean when I have mastitis? My baby is 6 weeks old and I have had mastitis two times. I'm in extreme pain and have decided to stop nursing. I haven't pumped or nursed in the last 10 hours and my breasts are extremely lumpy and tender (probably due to my infection). How many days will it take to dry up?

Answer: I was the same, I was in so much pain and I just wanted to get back to being and feeling normal again! I wasnt taught how to breast feed properly and I ended up with a huge HOLE in one nipple and the other was equally as painfull! If they hurt I would pump until the pain is releived, to keep the milk flow going and to avoid blockages? I just pumped when they were full, but I didnt completely empty them, it has something to do with letting your body know slowly that there isnt the demand for milk anymore and it will slowly dry up. id say mine took at least a week to stop "filling up"

Question: how often should I take Cephalexin for Mastitis? I have a temp. of 102 and I have some Cephalexin that I never took for what I needed for originally. I know that this can be taken with a breast infection, but all I have is the tablets, it doesn't say how often I should take them to treat mastitis. Can anyone help me out?

Answer: not sure but i can tell you i was supposed to give my dog cephalexin every 12 hours

Question: Is it okay to keep nursing if I take antibiotics for mastitis? I had a high white blood count, and I was prescribed antibiotics for mastitis. I know you're supposed to keep nursing frequently if you have mastitis, but what if I take antibiotics for it? Is it still okay?

Answer: It should be fine to keep nursing while on antibiotics. There are many that are safe to take while breastfeeding, and your doctor probably prescribed one that is. Call the doctor just to make sure. And I'm proud of you for choosing to nurse your baby! There's nothing like it in the world. Hang in there.

Question: How common is mastitis (blocked milk ducts) in humans? I girl I know has just had a baby and has mastitis. How common is this in women, do you know? We are due in about 6 weeks and just wondering.

Answer: I had it and it was terrible but you are just supposed to keep feeding the baby through it. Make sure the doctor is aware of it right away and you'll be put on meds. It looks like a raised hot lump on your breast. You can anticipate getting a high fever and flu like symptoms. My sister had mastitis with one of her two pregnancies... I had it with one of my two (I'm still breastfeeding). I think it does happen, but most of the time it doesn't occur. If you catch it early, you won't have a problem. Just check your breasts and look for a larger lump or red / hot area or flu like symptoms. You'll be fine. Mastitis is a pain, but not the end of the world, you will be so in love with your new little one if you get it, it will be a bump in the road (pardon the pun).