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Here's to Your Health:  Mastitis  |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 04:26:40 AM
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I just got through battling mastitis. What a horrible experience! My production has gone down EXPONENTIALLY on that side, so I'm taking fenugreek.
But these antibiotics the doc gave me are YUCKY! They stink SO bad! LOL.
But I truly feel for anyone who goes through mastitis. Those days of being exhausted, in pain, with the fever and chills-AND having a baby to nurse/take care of?! I was totally drained!!!!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 04:49:44 AM
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I can relate I have gotten it a few times. I never could get production back to what it was before the mastitis in that side. After the first time at the first inkling of it I get a antibiotic, it's nothing to mess with that's for sure!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2011 : 08:19:05 AM
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My doc was hesitant to give me anything since he thought I'd already gone through the worst of it. When it started happening again I called and demanded medicine.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2011 : 08:57:06 AM
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You have to! I don't take antibiotics for many things, so when it's something important I want to take them and want a dr to give them to me! UHG! I don't go in for colds, a cough, the flu, etc, I just let those run their courses. But, the thing with mastitis is my mom is a dr and she said that you run the risk of scar tissue building up around the ducts and causing permanent milk production decrease even for subsequent children! After she told me that, I don't mess with it, first inkling and I'm finding some one to give me a antibiotic! Thankfully usually I can get a hold of mom to call it in.
My problem was the first time I didn't get the chills, fever, etc, and I didn't feel awful like most people. I have high pain tolerance, and deal with illness pretty well. I don't get the same awful symptoms other people have. So I didn't figure it was mastitis, even though I had THICK (VERY extremely thick!) green ooze only coming out and no milk that I could recognize. Finally after the second day it dawned on me I bet this IS mastitis forget that I don't feel terrible, have chills, or fever. Hey I don't even feel contractions of have birth pains! So I called my mom and she said for sure sounded like it and sent out of me a antibiotic (at the time I lived in NYC and she in Kansas!) after that at first site of irritation around breast (redness, etc) I just go on a antibiotic, I don't want to effect my supply as much as I did that first time ever again. It never did go back completely after the first time and that was my big producer (every one has one breast that produces more then the other). UHG! I've only had it thankfully a few times in the 4 years I've nursed. And I never take antibiotics for anything else during these 4 years so I don't figure I'm over antibioticing up my body. I haven't had to be on antibiotics more then I think 3 times in the 4 years.......but seems like it may of only been twice. Then I did have to go on antibiotics a few weeks ago for the first time for "illness" I had something that lasted over a month and went into pneumonia with thick green stuff coming out my throat and nose.....mom said it was time for antibiotics (I also could no longer speak, etc). So see I don't take them at a drop of a hat. But, sometimes you do just need them. I figure it you only use them in time of need then they do what they need to and you don't get all those bad effects from over use. Only problem is I'm a diabetic type 1 so I have a bad immune system and like I said sometimes have no choice but to take them. UHG! But, I deffinately try to wait it out as long as possible, EXCEPT for with mastitis! |
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MaryLD
True Blue Farmgirl
861 Posts
Mary
New Braunfels
TX
USA
861 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2011 : 12:37:28 PM
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I have been in midwifery for almost 16 years. Here is what I have moms do for masitis:
Get:
castor oil
goldenseal powder ( buy capsules or keep a tablespoon's worth on hand.)
seran wrap
a washcloth
a heating pad
Mix castor oil and goldenseal to make a spreadable paste. Apply as needed to affected breast(s) to make a thin coating. Cover with seran wrap. Cover that with a washcloth. Cover that with a heating pad, being careful not to overheat any skin not covered by the washcloth or clothing( like an old t shirt.) Heat for 20 minutes, wash off. Repeat treatment twice on the first day, then treat 2-3 times a day until clear.
I have not had to call in antibiotics for anyone using this method. It is ok if the mastitis is somewhat established but if the mom has an abscess, antibiotics combined with this method are advised. ( I have not had anyone with an abscess in over 600 births, to my memory.)
Also, I tell my clients that mastitis is a postpartum emergency. They have to stay in bed, rest, nurse in any/every possible position to drain the breast evenly, drink fluids, and take vitamin C. Others must take care of them and they are to do no housework. Check bra fit to be sure ducts are not being compressed.
If low milk supply is an issue, I would check out www.lowmilksupply.org.
I hope this helps!
Now, I'm off to sleep until today's baby- on- the way gets a bit more ready to be born!
Mary LD
Haflingers- You can't have just one!
( I'm just one short of a drill team!) |
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ponypower
True Blue Farmgirl
68 Posts
Lily
Caspar
Ca
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2011 : 9:54:34 PM
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| I had really good luck with comfrey compresses. I chopped up fresh comfrey leaves and boiled them in a saucepan with water for about 15 minutes, strained, and then used a cloth diaper to dip in (when just cool enough to apply without burning) wrung it out and held up to my breast as many times a day as I could manage. Yeah. Mastitis sucks! I felt like I had been hit by a truck! |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2011 : 11:34:46 AM
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That sounds great! I'll ask around and see if anyone has comfrey-I don't have any!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2011 : 11:36:18 AM
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Wow, Mary! I never knew that the bra could be the culprit...I'll bet that's it! I bought my nursing bras at about 30 weeks-needless to say, I've grown since then! (I'm an I!) My nursing bras are snug, so I'll bet thats it!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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CurlysQuilts
True Blue Farmgirl
569 Posts
Sarah
Northeast Kingdom
VT
USA
569 Posts |
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Here's to Your Health: Mastitis |
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Mastitis
