mastitis...I hope I've done the right thing

[Anne Rogers]

well I'm fairly sure I have mastitis, got most of the classic symtoms,
though not a fever as yet, I know that not all cases of mastitis need
antibiotics and that nurse nurse nurse is the first treatment, but I
paniced, when I was bfing DS I had such a bad infection (in the same breast
actually, but different quadrant) that I needed IV antibiotics, so I really
didn't want to wait, also knowing my own baby and her being 7 months old,
nurse nurse nurse is much less easy to do, anyway after stressing for a time
I decided I'd call the doctor, who has given me antibiotics, he gave me a
dose for tonight and tomorrow morning, then I have to pick up the
prescription.

I'm feeling a bit grrr, I mean, it could have ended up needing antibiotics
anyway, but I won't know that and I lost my bottle and wouldn't wait, plus I
suspect with taking these drugs I'll end up with thrush afterwards (can
anyone give me any suggests as to what to eat etc. now to try and prevent
it?). On the other hand after last time I'm understandably nervous and I'm
oozing a little pus.

Anne

[Sidheag McCormack]

Anne Rogers writes:

> well I'm fairly sure I have mastitis, got most of the classic symtoms,
> though not a fever as yet, I know that not all cases of mastitis need
> antibiotics and that nurse nurse nurse is the first treatment, but I
> paniced, when I was bfing DS I had such a bad infection (in the same
> breast actually, but different quadrant) that I needed IV antibiotics,
> so I really didn't want to wait, also knowing my own baby and her being
> 7 months old, nurse nurse nurse is much less easy to do, anyway after
> stressing for a time I decided I'd call the doctor, who has given me
> antibiotics, he gave me a dose for tonight and tomorrow morning, then I
> have to pick up the prescription.

> I'm feeling a bit grrr, I mean, it could have ended up needing
> antibiotics anyway, but I won't know that and I lost my bottle and
> wouldn't wait, plus I suspect with taking these drugs I'll end up with
> thrush afterwards (can anyone give me any suggests as to what to eat
> etc. now to try and prevent it?). On the other hand after last time I'm
> understandably nervous and I'm oozing a little pus.

I'm sorry you've got mastitis :-( IKWYM about the mixed feelings. What I've
sometimes done is to get the prescription made up, but postpone actually
starting the course until the minute when I felt really 100% sure I needed
it. Not quite clear from your post whether this is an option for you -
maybe you've already started anyway?

Acidopholous (sp? doesn't look quite right but I'm too lazy to check) is
supposed to help with avoiding thrush - taking it yourself, and also giving
it to the baby. I don't know how much it actually works. There are quite a
few of the thrush control measures that you could do as a precaution, e.g.
hot washing things; maybe that might help stop it get going, even if it
does start?

Sidheag
DS Colin Oct 27 2003

[Anne Rogers]

> I'm sorry you've got mastitis :-( IKWYM about the mixed feelings. What
> I've
> sometimes done is to get the prescription made up, but postpone actually
> starting the course until the minute when I felt really 100% sure I needed
> it. Not quite clear from your post whether this is an option for you -
> maybe you've already started anyway?

I started anyway, I didn't even dare wait, I'm always amazed how fast
antibiotics can work, 10 hrs after dose 1 (i.e. when I woke up this
morning), rather than shrieking on movement it had reduced to just sore,
it's now better than that, though obviously not 100%, and I know even if it
does appear completely better to keep taking the drugs.
>
> Acidopholous (sp? doesn't look quite right but I'm too lazy to check) is
> supposed to help with avoiding thrush - taking it yourself, and also
> giving
> it to the baby. I don't know how much it actually works. There are quite a
> few of the thrush control measures that you could do as a precaution, e.g.
> hot washing things; maybe that might help stop it get going, even if it
> does start?

not sure, but I guess it is no harm in trying, I don't usually wash my bras
daily (don't have enough of them!), but I could for a short while. I know
about the yoghurt thing, but I know it needs to be live and I'm not sure if
all yoghurt is live, or if I have to find one the specifically says "live",
it may even be worth buying a weeks worth of those mini drinks supposed to
promite good bacteria!

Anne

[PattyMomVA]

"Anne Rogers" wrote and I snipped:
>> Acidopholous (sp? doesn't look quite right but I'm too lazy to check) is
>> supposed to help with avoiding thrush - taking it yourself, and also
>> giving
>> it to the baby. I don't know how much it actually works. There are quite
>> a
>> few of the thrush control measures that you could do as a precaution,
>> e.g.
>> hot washing things; maybe that might help stop it get going, even if it
>> does start?
>
> not sure, but I guess it is no harm in trying, I don't usually wash my
> bras daily (don't have enough of them!), but I could for a short while. I
> know about the yoghurt thing, but I know it needs to be live and I'm not
> sure if all yoghurt is live, or if I have to find one the specifically
> says "live", it may even be worth buying a weeks worth of those mini
> drinks supposed to promite good bacteria!

How to Fight Thrush and Win:
http://www.oz.net/~chotii/fighting_thrush.html

It's written by a long-time poster on mkb. Many of the measures work well
for prevention, too.

HTH,
-Patty, mom of 1+2

[Mum of Two]

"Anne Rogers" > wrote in message
...
> well I'm fairly sure I have mastitis, got most of the classic symtoms,
> though not a fever as yet, I know that not all cases of mastitis need
> antibiotics and that nurse nurse nurse is the first treatment, but I
> paniced, when I was bfing DS I had such a bad infection (in the same
> breast actually, but different quadrant) that I needed IV antibiotics, so
> I really didn't want to wait, also knowing my own baby and her being 7
> months old, nurse nurse nurse is much less easy to do, anyway after
> stressing for a time I decided I'd call the doctor, who has given me
> antibiotics, he gave me a dose for tonight and tomorrow morning, then I
> have to pick up the prescription.
>
> I'm feeling a bit grrr, I mean, it could have ended up needing antibiotics
> anyway, but I won't know that and I lost my bottle and wouldn't wait, plus
> I suspect with taking these drugs I'll end up with thrush afterwards (can
> anyone give me any suggests as to what to eat etc. now to try and prevent
> it?). On the other hand after last time I'm understandably nervous and I'm
> oozing a little pus.

Good luck! Oozing pus just doesn't sound like an option I'd choose. I
haven't battled thrush, but I'd definitely go the route of fighting it
before it starts by hot-washing and taking acidophilus. I have a friend with
twins who got mastitis and thrush, and eventually sorted it out with gentian
violet, so if you can head it off before it's a problem it sounds like the
way to go.


--
Amy
Mum to Carlos born sleeping 20/11/02,
& Ana born screaming 30/06/04
http://www.freewebs.com/carlos2002/
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/ana%5Fj%5F2004/
My blog: http://spaces.msn.com/members/querer-hijo-querer-hija/

[Suzanne S]

"Anne Rogers" > wrote in message
...
<snipped>
> also knowing my own baby and her being 7 months old, nurse nurse nurse is
> much less easy to do,

I was told to nurse from one breast for a few feeds at a time to try and
clear the blockage. At 7 months, it shouldn't affect your supply too much.

Also, Sidheag recomended what I was recomended to help combat thrush - I've
got the bottle out and the spelling is 'Acidophilus'. I bought it from the
local health food shop.

Remember that Ibuprofen is good for mastitis.

Good luck - I hope it clears soon.

Suzanne

[Anne Rogers]

> I was told to nurse from one breast for a few feeds at a time to try and
> clear the blockage. At 7 months, it shouldn't affect your supply too
> much.

even then I'd still only feed her once every 3-4hrs on that side in the day
and she slept through last night, plus I'd have to pump the other side as it
would get very engorged as it's my better producer, so whilst I can offer it
first each time (usually resulting in not needing the other), it still isn't
enough.
>
> Also, Sidheag recomended what I was recomended to help combat thrush -
> I've got the bottle out and the spelling is 'Acidophilus'. I bought it
> from the local health food shop.

I got some of that to day, still trying to work out the best dose.
>
> Remember that Ibuprofen is good for mastitis.

sadly I'm allergic

Anne