My 2 1/2 month old breastfed son is sleeping through the night the last 3 days. He usually woke up 2 or 3 times so you can imagine that my breasts were full in the morning. Yesterday I woke up engorged in both breast and my right breast was very tender. I went to church and the store with no problem but when I came home I was soooo cold I couldn't warm up and I had a headache that didn't want to go away with tylenol. I decided to take my temp and it was 102. My right breast was still sore and after inspection I noticed that the side of my breast is very red. Then all of the sudden I started sweating and sweating. I hoped my fever broke but it was up to 103.4. I took some more tylenol and a shower and later it was down to 101.9.
Well I think I have a nice mastitis but no health insurance so I can't go see a doctor or get antibiotics. Does anyone know how to treat this without antibiotics?
Thank you all for your advice and support. I took your advice and called my ob. She called in a script at Walmart and I indeed got it for $4.00. My fever is gone and I am feeling good. My breast is still swollen and red but that should go away in a week I have heard. Thanks!!
You will probably need antibiotics. My suggestion is PUMP, PUMP, PUMP. If there are clogged milk ducts, try to message them while pumping. You need a good electric breast pump. If you cannot afford them, WIC will often give you one at their office. I have successfully breastfed 3 babies so if you need more info, let me know.
When I had mastitis I called my obgyn office and told her my symptoms. My Dr. called in a PX without me even going in, so all I had to pay for was the antibiotic. It's worth a try!
I have had mastitis 2 times. The first time I went to the doctor and got an antibiotic. This last time I tried to treat it naturally. Continue to breastfeed. Offer the sore breast first. Also, try to rest as much as possible. (I know that is hard with a 2 year old.) Warm compresses will help as well. I like to wet a washcloth and stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds or until it is hot. I also recommend vitamin C tablets (I like the chewable), and garlic. I take a clove of garlic and cut it into pieces that I can swallow. I did this about 2 or 3 times a day for a few days. Tylenol will help with the fever. Also, I would try to nurse the baby in the night or pump. These alternative treatments worked just as well if not better than when I was on an antibiotic. There is a great website for breastfeeding info that can be a great resource. www.kellymom.com Take care.
At least call your dr that delivered. They can call in some antibiotics, they will be cheap and they shouldn't charge you for an office visit. You will not get it to go away without medication. I had it and it will only take a day to get relief. Call your dr.
I had mastitus last year and I was told if it gets bad enough and if your feaver gets high enough it could be deadly. What they did for me in the emergency room (cause my feaver went up to 106) was they put antibiotics in an IV and gave me a heating pad to put on my breast. Thay massaged it every couple of hours to try and release the milk. I didn't even breast feed my baby, this happened when I was drying up. They also gave me narcotics for the pain. It can be a VERY SERIOUS condition, you really should find a way to get some antibiotics. I waited too long and tried to treat it at home and ended up almost 3 days in the hospital. Please for yours and your baby's sake go get treated.
I have also had mastitis and it was awful, so I know how you feel. You really should get those antibiotics, because if left untreated, the infection could damage the milk ducts. You chould be able to talk to your ob and explain your situation.
I actually just recently had mastitis. I expressed the colustrum from my right breast often. IT was a differnt color then usually becasue of the infection but it helped relieve the pain more then the antibiotics did. Becasue the infection could come out. I agree with the other ladies definatly get some antibiotics but you should also express/pump and dump if its badly infected on that side and take tylenol for sure. Do not let your temp get too high. It can get serious. If you catch it fast enough it should clear up even faster. Good luck hun and i know what you are going through.
I would call your doc and see if they can just phone you in a perscription for antibiotics. Wal-mart is offering some meds for only $4.00 so maybe you would qualify for that since you don't have insurance at this time. I feel for you though, I have had mastitis before and it stinks. Good luck and I hope you fell better soon.
Definately get it checked out if you can. I have a friend who ended up in the hospital for a long time with it. If there's a redimed or an urgent care treatment center it might be worth making a visit. They're usually pretty inexpensive compared to a visit to a specialist and they're a whole lot cheaper than an ER visit/extended hospital stay.
I hope the situation gets better and the web resources suggested help, too.
Ouch! I have had it five time with my now 12 month old. The last bout I saw a lactation consultant at OB office and she said daily 500mg of Vitamin C, 800 Vitamin E, and Soy Lechitin in pill form, all the time to help prevent it and since I've started that I haven'thad since. I tried to treat it myself twice and ended up feverish and half delirious at my sister's wedding. Got an antibiotic and cleared right up. NOw when I feel it coming on, I start on one right away. It can be really bad. Call your docotr and explain situation, they are usually understanding. Definetely heat and massage in shower too. HOpe you're better soon.
I just went through birthing classes with my daughter and during the Breastfeeding class they told us that when you have mastitis there is really nothing medically neccisary. Have your baby nurse but have his bottom jaw positioned on the side of the mastitis. If it is on the top of your breast then have him lie down on the bed or floor and you position yourself over him so that his bottom jaw is at the top of your breast. When a baby suckles they will suck the mastitis out and it will not harm them in any way. The instuctor had used this exact story with the class because this happened to her and she said she had a time figuring out how to position her son so he could suckle it out. Her husband came in as she was on her hands and knees over her son kind of upside down from each other and nursing him. She said her husband asked her what in the world was she doing and when she told him he asked her if she realized how funny she looked. So they both got a good laugh out of it plus she was able to be releaved of a painful breast. We were told that a baby's jaw is most powerful on the bottom. And to make sure that when you nurse your baby to switch positions so you can avoid getting this. Also I might suggest that if your son is now sleeping through the night, would you be interested in setting an alarm for sometime in the middle of the time your son is asleep in pumping your breasts. You can save the milk for upto 5 or 7 days in the refridgerator and 6 months in the freezer. Double check with your lactation consultant on the days it will stay good in the fridge. Good Luck and enjoy your bundle of joy. They grow up much to fast.
You really need to see the Dr. From what i have read it needs and must be treated with Antibiotics. YOu should be able to go to the county ER and not have to pay since you do not have insurance.
Sounds like a breast infection. I've had a handful of them and they suck! The only way to treat them is with an antibiotic. I say go to med point or a clinic that doesn't cost much and get the prescription. Antibiotics are cheap if not free. Wal-mart gives free antibiotics with prescriptions for common generic ones. I think Meijer does also. Good luck! I was better 12 hours after my first dose.
I have had this with two of the three boys we have and I jsut rested. Took hot showers directed at the breast and as painful as it was massaged out the area that was infected. Take Tylenol. Mine went away by doing that and avoiding the doctor but I have had friends' whose infection was worse - maybe there is a free clinic near you that could help out? Good luck
I'm glad to see your update! BTW, if you feel that you might be prone to reoccurence, there was a nice article in this month's Mothering issue about mastitis preventention/treatment. It's the March/April 2007 issue.
Best of luck!
Mastitis can get nasty, so I would definitely get yourself treated. As far as getting used to getting through the night when he wants to sleep through it too, just get up around 3 and pump for about a week. I know it sucks, but just pump to comfort, not to emptiness. This will help your body adjust to his "new" needs, and yours! Good luck and take care.
A fever is a big indicator that there is an infection going on. You should check into whether or not there is a clinic that you can go to like planned parenthood or something. I know that PH is income based and if you can't afford to pay anything they will work with you on some sort of arrangement, they are very good about that. If it is an infection and you do need antibiotics if left untreated it could get bad enough to where they would have to surgically drain it which could cost even more...Hope this helps.
I'm not sure of any ways to treat Mastitis other than with an antibiotic. Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue, and usually you should get that treated as soon as you seen any signs.
I had mastitis with my 2nd child and was able to call up my ob and they were able to call in a prescription for me without having to have an office visit. I remember the chills like they were yesterday - not fun! I always had to try to keep up with the feedings, and even when my daughter slept through the night more, I still woke her up to nurse to prevent this from happening again.
Can you find any free or low cost clinics in your area? If not, then maybe you can call up your ob-gyn that you recently delivered with, see what they say, and maybe you can work out some kind of payment plan with them. Also ask if they have any antibiotic samples that they can give to you (free).
WebMD with AOL Health - Mastitis While Breast-Feeding -- Home Treatment
I read your request and think this site might help. At least I hope it helps. T.
Oh honey! I am sooo sorry! I had mastitis so much when my son was younger that at 18 months my hubby made me wean. Look at this site http://askdrsears.com/html/2/t022200.asp It helps alot!!! Feel better!
Kim
