Mastits or 'just' a plugged duct?

I have been pretty sore and seriously engorged since Friday. I have also had a low grade fever and just a general feeling of not feeling well. I feel feverey and chilled. Also, on my left breast I have a red, lumpy, hot to the touch, triangular patch. It is really painful and never feels like it gets drained with nursing/pumping/hot compresses/massage, etc...

Although this is my 5th breastfed baby I've been lucky to never get Mastitis. However, I am wondering if I have it now? I don't feel that 'hit by a truck' feeling that many women (including my mom) report, but I'm feeling achy and just 'off' - but I did just give birth 9 days ago, so maybe I am just feeling this way because my body is adjusting/healing.

I just wonder if you guys can tell me what the difference is in symptoms (the symptoms sound so similar with a plugged duct and Mastitis!) Should I call the doctor or just continue what I am doing with the massage and warm compresses and lots of nursing?

Thanks! I just don't want to overreact, but also don't want to ignore something that needs to be treated, KWIM?

 

Fever and chills are not good signs - even though you may not have full blown mastitis, why wait for that to happen? I'd definitely call the doctor, especially if you've massaged and applied hot compress (I've got best results from applying the hot compress just before and massage while nursing) since Friday with no effect. Hope you'll avoid it this time, too!

 

QUOTE(sasja @ Nov 19 2007, 08:31 AM) [snapback]501714[/snapback]
Fever and chills are not good signs - even though you may not have full blown mastitis, why wait for that to happen? I'd definitely call the doctor, especially if you've massaged and applied hot compress (I've got best results from applying the hot compress just before and massage while nursing) since Friday with no effect. Hope you'll avoid it this time, too!


Ditto the fever and chills not being a good sign! I have one duct that plugs on my semi-frequently and massage and hot compresses (and nursing) always eventually get it to go away, but I've never had fever and chills. Give them a call!

 

plugged duct should get better with nurseing and pumping on that breast with in 24 hours. If that doesn't help it is probably mastatis. I would get it totally empty and that should help with either problem. Good luck

 

Did you get it looked at? I would say that it is.

 

Does it look like a sunburn on your breast? It sounds like mastitis I hope you're feeling better!!!

 

I hope your feeling better!!! My mastitis still isn't gone. I hope it clears up quickly for you!!

 

100% yes. It's Mastitis and I hope you got the antibiotics and are feeling better!

Reyna

 

So, before I got all these great responses I spoke with my mom. She looked in her home remedy handbook and they gave this suggestion for treating breast infections:

Make a castor oil compress. Soak a piece of flannel with castor oil. Lay the saturated cloth on the affected part of the breast and put plastic wrap over the cloth. Put a heating pad over the plastic and keep it as hot as you can tolerate for at least an hour.

I did this because I wasn't sure if it was an infection, and I didn't want to call the doctor on the weekend unless I had to. The red spot lingered for another day or two, but by the next day the pain was gone and I felt a lot better. So maybe it was just a clogged duct? Or, maybe it was an infection but caught early it cleared up on its own? All I know is I feel so much better! Thanks for the responses!