UPDATE!!!! TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

My right breast has one (if not many) clogged ducts. I called the lactation consultant who basically scared the bejesus out of me. I have been massaging, pumping, trying to nurse (nothing is really coming out either way), took a ridiculously hot shower and massaged the breast....but now I see there is a white spot on the nipple. Maybe a blister. God help me if someone tells to to take a needle to it. I will completely pass out.

Any other suggestions? I am in SO much pain and can't even lift DD. I have to get this milk out!!!!!!!!!

TIA.

UPDATE:

Oh ladies....sweet RELIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried ALL of your suggestions last night, then gave up and went to bed in so much agony. Had a terrible night's sleep. Woke up at 6am, sterilized the needle again, got into another steamy hot shower....pressed on breast and pinched nipple....and WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!!!! OMG I was so happy I started laughing like a mad woman! I couldn't get it all clear but DD nursed a lot about 30 minutes later, then I pumped. There are still some small hard spots that I will hopefully get when I pump on my lunch break.

THANK YOU ALL for the advice. I guess I had an easy L&D becaise I told DH this was worse than childbirth!!

Message edited 2/3/2011 9:47:54 AM.

Re: TMI...but SO desperate for help!!!!!!!

If the white spot is in the duct, I WOULD take a needle to it, but that's just me, I have NO problem with things like that!

Do you have a mechanical pump? Try pumping it off for a LONG time OR feed your baby from the top, i.e. lower your nipple into her mouth-this way gravity will work with her sucking power.

Also, remember that it will not go away completely in one day, more like 2 or 3. Massage, massage, massage, feed, feed, feed, pump, pump, pump!!!

Here is some more info, this is a very good site: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Oh man! I feel your pain! I had the same thing happen to me with DS soo painful! If nothing is helping, you will need antibiotics, that's what happened with me. I don't know how long its been hurting but I would call your OB and ask him if he could call your pharmacy and prescribe antibiotics. If you don't get it taken care of you could develop an abcess and need surgical drainage. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Ok well I have some TMI to give back to you.

This happened to me a couple of months ago, a lump the size of a banana for dayyyys!! I thought I was going to die. Anyway people kept telling me it was a clogged duct but I did not see any white spot. Finally I checked again and saw the tiniest little speck of white. I (brace yourself) took a needle, swabbed with alcohol and just kind of pricked the tip. I know, I know!!! SWEET JESUS!! Immediate relief, immediate!!! Totally gross but I drained it 100% right then and there by massaging it. Then I pumped to really get it all out.

I know it is so horrible and scary to think of a needle going anywhere near your boob but to me it was soo worth it!!

Good luck! I hope you get some relied soon, it is the worst! FM if you have any more questions.

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

I have to agree with the needle. I was completely freaked by the idea at first - I had my husband do it for me! Do the warm compress first, then the needle. Honestly you don't feel the needle - not even pressure.

I also agree with nursing from above to let gravity help it along.

good luck - hope you feel relief soon!!

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

I had the same thing a few months go. I followed this:

* If you notice a small, white dot at the end of the milk duct on your nipple, that is the end of a plugged nipple opening. Apply moist heat on this white blister and with a sterile needle gently pop the blister. If this pore stays plugged, it could block milk drainage and lead to a plugged duct and mastitis.

This really hurt but helped tremendously * Try a pressure massage on the area of your breast that is swollen and painful because of a plugged duct. This may help to loosen the plug. With pressure massage, you do not actually move your hand over the skin as you would with a normal massage. You simply press more and more firmly with the heel of your hand to move the plug in the duct down closer to the nipple.

To do pressure massage, start at the edge of the lumpy area closest to your chest wall. Apply pressure to that area with the heel of your hand to the point just before it becomes too painful. Hold the pressure at that level until the pain eases off. Then increase the pressure again, (without moving your hand) and hold it until the pain eases. Continue to gradually increase pressure at that same site until you are pressing as hard as you can. Then pick your hand up, move it down toward your nipple about a half inch, and repeat the pressure massage in this area. Continue moving your hand a half inch and repeating the massage until you get all the way down to the nipple.

You may see the dried milk come out from an opening in your nipple. Even if the plug doesn't actually come out, you will at least have dislodged it and moved it toward the nipple so that when baby goes to the breast and sucks, he will remove it with his suction. Always put baby to the breast on the plugged side first, when his sucking will be the strongest.

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

OK, I tried the needle. Don't know where I grew the balls to do it but I cannot take the pain/engorgement anymore. I pricked the white spot and a SMALL amount of white/clear fluid came out. I massaged and massaged the breast then pumped...and NOTHING is happening. I'm so upset and frustrated and ready to cry.

Thanks so much for all of the replies though.

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Whenever I have this I just nurse like crazy from the side and it goes away shortly, good luck hope you feel better soon

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

It's frustrating, I know. I had numerous clogged ducts and some took forever to clear. I would try the massage with the warm compress...and definitely pump and nurse down - so gravity helps.

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Next time you take a hot shower, use a wide tooth comb and put soap on it, then comb down with pressure from the top down to the nipple. This will break up the clog.

Maybe when you get out revisit the white spot and see if you opened it enough. I know it is not what you want to do but it will be worth it. It is good a little came out so hopefully you can get it all soon.

Also, what has worked for me is to get on all fours above DS and nurse that way. It is a little tricky but one time it totally cleared me up.

I know exactly how you feel, it is SOO frustrating!!!

There is an end in sight just keep working at it!

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Posted by MamaLeen

Next time you take a hot shower, use a wide tooth comb and put soap on it, then comb down with pressure from the top down to the nipple. This will break up the clog.

Maybe when you get out revisit the white spot and see if you opened it enough. I know it is not what you want to do but it will be worth it. It is good a little came out so hopefully you can get it all soon.

Also, what has worked for me is to get on all fours above DS and nurse that way. It is a little tricky but one time it totally cleared me up.

I know exactly how you feel, it is SOO frustrating!!!

There is an end in sight just keep working at it!

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Okay, get a basin and fill it with HOT water, as hot as you can stand it without burning yourself. Bend over the basin and lower your breast into the water, massage at the same time.

Immediately after, start pumping. Keep a hot water bottle on the top of the breast as you pump - massage too if you can.

I know how frustrating it is! I hope you can get it out! I always panicked whenever I felt one!

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Posted by MamaLeen

Next time you take a hot shower, use a wide tooth comb and put soap on it, then comb down with pressure from the top down to the nipple. This will break up the clog.

Maybe when you get out revisit the white spot and see if you opened it enough. I know it is not what you want to do but it will be worth it. It is good a little came out so hopefully you can get it all soon.

Also, what has worked for me is to get on all fours above DS and nurse that way. It is a little tricky but one time it totally cleared me up.

I know exactly how you feel, it is SOO frustrating!!!

There is an end in sight just keep working at it!

Re: TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Re: UPDATE!!!! TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

WONDERFUL update in original post!

Re: UPDATE!!!! TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

so glad you were able to get relief!!!

Re: UPDATE!!!! TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

Yay!!!
So glad to hear it!

Re: UPDATE!!!! TMI...but SOOOOO desperate for help!!!!!!! Re: clogged duct

So glad to hear the good news! Yay!!!