Blocked duct or lump

[tanni_83]

is there any other way to tell the difference between a blocked duct and a lump... my dh seems to think its only a blocked duct, but i fear for the worst :( is the only way to know by going to see a GP :confused:

scared. Tanni :gloomy:

[misskittyfantastico]

Is it sore?

[tanni_83]

:yes: yeeeeep it sure is :thumbsdown:

[Rhoxie]

If you are feeding or recently weaned then it's more than likely a blocked duct.

If you go to the GP to check (they usually can't tell either ) they will send you off for an ultrasound (if you are feeding) or a mamogram if you aren't and you will find out with a day or two.

The Painful blocked ducts usually resolve themselves within a few days (or develop in to an infection or mastitis) so you could wait and see over the weekend what happens
meanwhile ...
If it is a blocked duct and you are feeding - do the following -
feed frequently from that breast and gently massage the lump while feeding
hold warm wet flannels to it
massage in the shower
take panadol for the pain

If you aren't feeding
do the same except the feeding part.

Blocked ducts aren't neccessarily painful and the non painful ones can hang around for a while (I had one that lasted 3 months and was about pea size- I had an ultrasound for that one)

If you develop a temp, flu-like symptoms or the area around the lump gets redder or more inflamed then see a doc asap.

[misskittyfantastico]

Yup, what Rhoxie said...:yes: I hope it feel better soon

[FourAngelKisses]

Does a blocked duct feel like someone is sticking pins in you, even if a piece of hair brushes against your breast?

[tanni_83]

Does a blocked duct feel like someone is sticking pins in you, even if a piece of hair brushes against your breast?

:yes: yes it can, if its severe (sp?) enough


thanks you Rhoxie for all ur advice, thats what ive been doing...but no change in the past 3 days. I am still feeding elise, very frequently for that matter thats why i was concerened, i dont know how it had 'time' to become blocked in the first place :confused:

if it isnt cleared by the weekend i will be going to see the dr :(

thanks everyone :hugs:

[FourAngelKisses]

Bugger.....that's what I had when I was feeding Matthew, things were going really well until that and in the end it got so painful I just quit cold turkey. If I'd known that's what it was, I would have seen a Dr about it and perservered.

[xkwzit]

A few other tips too (because you should really try to get rid of the lump - you don't want a bout of mastitis):
Massage the lump while you're in the shower, towards your nipple.
An electric toothbrush (or anything else that vibrates ;) ) can also be helpful, just hold it on the lump for a few minutes a few times a day.

Best of luck

[Mischief]

I had one of those too....I woke up in the middle of the night in agony. Id been laying funny and my breast had several very painful lumps. I got up and expressed the breast empty massaging it gently over the lump (OUCH) then had a hot shower and massaged more.

Then this morning I did it all again. Feels MUCH better now! Goodluck!