Mastitis/Antibiotic question...

Did anyone have mastitis and NOT take an antibiotic?
I get really bad reactions to antibiotics. I am allergic to penicillin and all the other give me really bad diarrhea. My midwife called in a prescription for me and I am very hesitant to take it, especially after reading in my breastfeeding books that mastitis should go away with continued nursing and that antibiotics are not always needed.
I was going to wait until tomorrow to see if there is any improvement before I take the antibiotics. Is this a bad idea?

Re: Mastitis/Antibiotic question...

The first time I had mastitis, my dr. said I didn't have to take the antibiotic unless tylenol alone did not bring my fever down so I chose not to take it, used warm compresses, massaged my breasts, and pumped after each feeding.

I thought that it went away but 2 days later, I got it again, cleared it, and then 3 days later, my 3rd case of mastitus within 10 days.

Now, I'm not really sure if it was because I never fully cleared my first case of mastitis that I had the 2nd and 3rd recurrence, but just from personal experience, the pain and discomfort of having it 3 times was unbearable and made it SO difficult to take care of DS.

I would call your midwife and ask if she thinks it's okay not to take the antibiotic but if you choose not to use the antibiotic, just be sure to be vigilant about completely emptying the boob that's infected, even a few days after you feel better.

You can also try lechitin, which is a vitamin that makes your breast milk less sticky and thereby decreases the chances of the milk clogging a pore.

Re: Mastitis/Antibiotic question...

if it continues after 24hr, i would take it.

i had it before and i simply can not function with the fever and weakness.

GL

Message edited 6/18/2008 6:20:55 PM.

Re: Mastitis/Antibiotic question...

i had it bad and took the antibiotic. My fever was over 104 so i wasn't taking any chances, but you have to do whats good for you

Re: Mastitis/Antibiotic question...

Posted by bayla

i had it bad and took the antibiotic. My fever was over 104 so i wasn't taking any chances, but you have to do whats good for you

Message edited 6/18/2008 6:46:18 PM.

Re: Mastitis/Antibiotic question...

My ob absolutely insisted I take the antibiotic and mine was pretty mild. I never take antibiotics and didn't want to but he scared me into it telling me it would/could get much worse and would cause many other problems for me if it didn't completely heal. The antibiotics worked perfectly - it went away and never came back. I would take it.

Re: Mastitis/Antibiotic question...

Honestly, I would take it. I am allergic to PCN also and antibiotics do the same thing to me. I would tell your midwife that you can't stomach them and hopefully she can put you on a more "stomach friendly" one. Levaquin is one that I do much better with. I don't know if you can take it while BFing though. I would call her back. I know someone who tried to clear it themselves and wound up having to have IV so I would definitely take something. Don't forget to increase your water too!