I have been really sore the last couple of days and yesterday my nipples were so sore they felt like they were on fire. It was even worse then when I first started nursing. One side is also all read and itchy and prickly feeling. I am also getting shooting pains in my breasts.

I looked on kellymom.com and it sounds like it could be thrush. I have also had a fever and really bad body aches the last couple of days, so I hope it is not mastitis or something. The redness and stuff sounds more like thrush though, so I think I may just be sick on top of everything else.

I am not sure which Dr. Is the best to see for it. I think I have a better chance of getting into my GP right away then the OB, so I guess I will start with her.

This breast feeding stuff sure is a PITA. My kid better appreciate what I am going through for her!!

oh Katey, i would get it checked out, it sounds like mastitis to me, i hope not, but i would feed feed feed away love, it is the only way to get rid of it, and maybe antibiotics....and try a cold washer on your breast and feed her on that affected side first every time. i have had mastitis and the signs are redness, shooting pain and flu-like symptoms....

Oh Katey, you poor thing. I would def get a call into the doctor asap.

Keep us updated. I hope you are feeling better soon. Big (((HUGS))):hug:

I am back from the Dr and she said it looks like there is an infection and a blocked duct. She did not really seem to know anything about it. She left the room for about 15 min and then came back with a bunch of answers. I think she just googled it :smt036

She gave me Erythramician (sp) I am allergic to a bunch of antibiotics, so I don’t have much to choose from. I hope it works.

If I am not feeling better in a few days I will go to the OB. He would probably know more about it.

hope the erythromycin helps.. :hug:

I hope it helps too Katey. For the brief time I did try to pump breastmilk I did experience a blocked duct that ended up escalating to a mastisis (SP), what you are describing sounds like the same symptoms I had and it was very painful. I did see my OB and they had recommended pumping more frequently to help "move" things along, I don't know if you are able to do this but it might offer some relief as well.

Those issues as well as total exhaustion led me to give up on BF'ing after only 3.5 weeks so I admire you for every day that you stick it out. I hope this doesn't seem unsupportive but I just wanted to say that while I think you are doing a great thing for your daughter, take care of yourself too! It's not worth it if you are worn out and sick. What she needs most is a healthy, loving mom and you are definitely that whether you breastfeed or not.

But I hope it gets easier so you can stick with it. From everything I have heard it usually does. I know how much you want it to work out.

BTW, I should've added, they didn't give me an antibiotic for the blocked duct, I got that after I was diagnosed w/the mastitis. If you don't notice a difference w/24 hours I would get into your OB as if it is a mastisis and gets further infected it can result in serious complications requiring them to have to drain it. I know someone this happened too, it was not a pleasant experience. My OB had me follow up after 2 days on the antibiotic just to make sure it was getting better.

Hey Katey, hope the meds work quick and you're feeling better soon!

Ugh, I'm so sorry to hear this.

I had a few thoughts reading your posts. I agree with Stephanie that if the antibiotics don't start working fairly quickly, get back to the doctor. Also, I had a yeast infection with B--same symptoms (itchy nipples, shooting pain in the breast). I had mastitis with Adam and the symptoms were a bit different--hardness in the breasts, esp. near/under armpits, red streaks showing up on the breast, fever, nausea and shooting pain when I tried to nurse or even touch them. :-( At least with the mastitis, nursing *sort* of made it feel better; however, with the yeast infection, NOTHING helped. I consulted my OB for both infections.

I hope I didn't just confuse the issue for you...and I so hope you start feeling better ASAP!

I should add that I had the hardness near the armpits, that's what the lactation consultant first told me was a clogged duct then my breasts got rock hard and painful to touch, red, engorged and itchy and non-stop leaking. I remember waiting at my OB's office for him to come in and see me in the exam room and by the time he got to the room the paper gown they gave me was soaked through, dripping. Not a good experience.

Thanks for all the great info. The reason I did not go to the OB was that I new It would take at least a few days to get in. Maybe I will call and make an apt and then if I am feeling better I can just cancel it.