Yesterday I felt flu like all over my body. I was so weak it was horrible. I had a fever of 104 at one point but it went down to 102. I am having a really hard time. My left breast is really sore adn tender and kind of swollen, I think something might be wrong with it, because I cannot even nurse Lauren on that side. Maybe a clogged milk duct or something. I am going to call the doctor today and see what she says. sorry for whining but thanks for reading..

By Marcia on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 02:43 pm:

Sounds like mastitis. As hard as it is, either nursing or expressing the milk is the best thing you can do for it.
Feel better!!

By My2cuties on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 02:44 pm:

I am pumping, that seems to feel a little better than her nursing on it.

By Pamt on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 02:49 pm:

Ditto Marcia---sounds like mastitis. Get to the doctor ASAP so you can get started on antibiotics and keep nursing or pumping on that breast. Also you can take Tylenol for pain and fever.

By Heaventree on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 02:58 pm:

If your breast is really sore, a hot shower will help, let the water run over it for awhile and massage your breast. Let us know what the doctors says. HUGS!

By Rayanne on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 03:04 pm:

I'm sorry sweetie. All the lady's above gave great advice. I hope that you feel better soon. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

By My2cuties on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 03:05 pm:

I'm waiting for a call back from the breastfeeding specialist there. Hopefully I can get this taken care of soon.

By My2cuties on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 04:12 pm:

The nurse called back and said she called in a prescription. It is for an antibiotic and the doctor thinks I have mastitis. I have to take all the medicine and pump or let the baby nurse on that side, ouch, I cannot imagine, but if that's what the doctor says then that's what I'll do.

By Kaye on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 04:36 pm:

Another thing that will help is to tak a very very warm bath and massage it just as vigorously as you can stand. Mastitis means that you have an infection in a milk duct, it probably got clogged and then infected. You just have to clear it all out and get it flowing again.

Hot compresses will help too.

By Pamt on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 05:23 pm:

I never had mastitis, but I did have clogged milk ducts several times with my 2nd DS. It hurt sooo bad and I couldn't even raise my right arm because I was in so much pain. Kaye is right...a clogged milk duct can lead to mastitis. Here's what really worked for me that I read in my breastfeeding book. Lay your baby on her back on the floor. Get on all fours over her and let your left breast dangle into her mouth to nurse. It feels very awkward, it looks goofy, but the gravity, plus her sucking will offer sweet relief to you and help clear up the infection faster. It is very important not to let the sore breast become engorged. Hot compresses do feel good too!

By Karen~moderator on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 05:47 pm:

Candis, I really do feel for you! OUCH! Hot compresses will definitely help.