BS: Mastitis

Subject: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:12 AM

Not for the faint of heart.
I am sitting here with a heating pad under my arm while suffering the humiliations of antibiotic reactions. Not exactly mastitis which tends to occur in nursing mothers but blocked ducts plus infection in my lymph glands (we think).
Any suggestions beside hacking the damn thing off?
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: mg
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:17 AM

I don't know...ask your doctor if there is any reason you shouldn't drink unsweetened cranberry juice...sweeten with stevia or mix with other fruit juice...pineapple is very good...or orange...

Cranberry is very antibiotic.

mg

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:37 AM

Yes, and this will sound absolutely silly, but it works absoluted magically.

Get yourself a whole head of cabbage. Take a large leaf, as large as will fit inside your bra on the affected breast, and put it in the bra and put the bra on. Leave it in place all day long.

A friend in La Leche league told me about this. When you feel it coming on, put the cabbage leaf in place and you'll never get mastitis again. And if you do it now, you can toss the rest of the antibiotics. Seriously. They're not good for the baby. WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T STOP NURSING.

The acid juices might not be a good solution here--they can pass through the milk and upset the baby, like some other foods. I couldn't eat a lot of broccoli or beans when I was nursing because they upset the kids. You'll find lots of valuable nursing advice in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. This is a book I give to friends who are expecting their first babies. It helps with lots of topics, not just nursing.

PM me if you want.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:40 AM

DOH. Guess I should have made it clearer. I am not nursing but pre-menopausal. I am told this is a common complaint but the infection involving my lymph glands is not. Cabbage? I will try anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:40 AM

Ah--I reread your first message--you don't say that you're nursing. If you're not, this will still work for you, but forget the advice to keep nursing! You can get a cabbage at the grocery store much more easily than you can get a baby! :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Tinker
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:40 AM

Oh Mary.... My eldest son had a similar situation with a gland on the side of his neck. Warm compresses, you may find that damp warmth helps a little more than dry. And lots of fluids. Keep a close watch for changes, it may need to be drained at some point. AJ's became an open staph infection within hours of the doctor checking it. That's a mess you really want to avoid.

Big Hugs,


Kathy

I've had Mastitis and yes, I understand the temptation to just "hack it off" but think what it would do to your equilibrium... How wouuld you find your sea legs this summer???

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: GUEST,incognito
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:51 AM

I had a girl friend a few years ago, and everythime she came to visit, she brought a bottle of cranberry juice with her. Said it worked well against urinary tract infections.This is not a joke.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:58 AM

Yes--urinary tract. And since nursing isn't taking place, it's a good suggestion here also.

In a totally unrelated aside--cranberry juice is also known to block that "date rape" drug you've probably heard about. There was an instance in New England where a woman on a cranberry juice diet was given the drug in a drink at a party, and while it tended to paralyze her, she was still conscious, and the rapist was convicted. None of his other vicitms had a clue about what had happened at the time they were drugged and assaulted.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 12:56 PM

You mean she still got raped but she was fully conscious for it? Just paralyzed? Lovely... sounds like a Stephen King story. At least the shit got convicted.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 01:16 PM

Yeah, it was pretty awful, according to the story. But at least she had information and they did get the guy. He was using that veterinary anesthesia--I don't remember the name. It still turns up a lot. Cranberry juice is the antidote to this stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Dani
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 01:42 PM

Sorry, Mary. I remember it well. I went to the Dr. shortly after one of my girls was born, with mastitis on top of being engorged. Lovely. and the the Dr. took one look and said (no lie), "MOOO!"

Hot compresses, pain medicine, and lie on your side while someone peels grapes for you and reads you stories. Want me to come up?

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 02:03 PM

Maybe some type of gentle massage as well? At least someone to massage your neck and shoulders for relief.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 02:06 PM

Dani, yes, come up, I have this cracked vertebra in my neck, and I can't reach my grapes.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 02:07 PM

Thanks for the laugh, Dani. Kendall wanted me to go to a flea market with him. When I said i am braless and intend to stay that way, he could not understand the problem. I explained that I look like a cow in need of milking. Thanks for confirming that.

Tinker - doctor has mentioned draining. GROSS! He can't understand why I don't have other symptoms - fever, cough, rash, etc. Your poor son - not something you can brag about in the locker room.

So - cabbage and cranberry juice, warm compresses, and rest. I like the rest part.
M.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 02:15 PM

Kendall! Get the hell out of my thread! This is Poor Mary time. Beat it.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 02:17 PM

When I had mastitis I used to sit in a warm bath and gently but firmly stroke outwards away from the affected area. I also used the cabbage leaves which were nice and cooling. Hope it clears up soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: GUEST,jlangan
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 02:31 PM

Hey! Been reading daily for YEARS and finally something I know about. Massage will help. If it isn't too sore massage red-looking spots in small circles toward nipple. And warm compresses. Hot showers are good too. Definitely no bra as it could make things worse. A drink lots and lots of water. Hope you're well soon!

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 02:47 PM

Not Jessica Langan, my niece in LI? Thanks for advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 03:30 PM

I was thinking a nice massage too. I dunno' if it would help you but it would do wonders for me........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 07:08 PM

He's back!

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Jeri
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 07:36 PM

I am NOT going to make a crack about cruciferous vegetables in your bra. I wouldn't want to be in a grocery store checkout line and have a leaf drop out, though. Then you have to explain to the security guys that those aren't cab....no, I'm not gonna say it.

Mary, I'm sorry for your pain. Consider though, that while draining it may be scary to think about, if you need to have it done, it will surely help a lot.

Kendall, I'm surprised Spaw didn't say anything about you not being able to reach your 'grapes'. I can think of several things, but I'm a lady, and this is about cabbages, not grapes.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 08:00 PM

Kendall should be glad that you carrot all, Jeri!

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 08:15 PM

Oh peas stop this!

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 10:15 PM

nO ONE IS GOING TO BELIEVE THAT WAS NOT INTENDED ABOUT THE GRAPES.
Dani offered to peel some for Sin...never mind, I'll get my hat.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 01:05 AM

You are a hoot, Kendall!

Mary, I found the following on a UK naturopathic site, FWIW. There should be some good ND's up thar...I am sure they could help with this.

The cabbage leaves work well for drying up milk, too, according to the nursing specialists with whom my daughter met recently.

Here ya go with the usual disclaimers...this is not medical advice and your mileage may vary:-):

Specific Remedies :

No true specifics are known for this condition, but Vitex is undoubtedly strongly indicated. Oil of Evening Primrose may also be of great value.

One possible prescription :

    Vitex agnus-castis 2 parts
    Galium aparine 1 part
    Scutellaria spp. 1 part 2.5 ml taken three times a day
    Oenothera biennis
    (Evening primrose) 500 mg capsules of oil : 5 dailythe advice suggested for PMT should be referred to


This supplies the following actions :

    Hormonal normalizer (Vitex agnus-castis)
    Lymphatic (Galium aparine)
    Diuretic (Galium aparine)
    Nervine relaxant (Scutellaria spp.)
    Anti-spasmodic (Scutellaria spp.)


Broader Context of Treatment :

It has been shown clearly that methylxanthines aggravate the problem. The commonest dietary sources of such natural products are coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks. These should be avoided totally. Other research showed that Vitamin E at dosages of 400-800 IU daily also helped. It is important to eat no meat, poultry, eggs or dairy products from animals given hormones to promote growth. In `A Textbook of Natural Medicine', Drs. Pizzorno and Murray recommend the following supplementation:

    B-complex 10 times the recommended daily dose
    Lipotropic factors 2 times the recommended daily dose
    Vitamin B6 200 mg per day
    Vitamin C 500 mg per day
    Vitamin E 600 International Units of d-alpha tocopherol
    Beta-Carotene 300, 000 International Units per day
    Iodine 0.25 mg per day
    Zinc 15 mg per day (picolinate preferred)
    Flaxseed oil 300 ml per day
    Lactobacillus acidophilus 1 teaspoonful three times a day

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 01:26 AM

I have vitex in my yard--but it isn't in leaf right now. I could go gather up some of the dried leaves under it and hope they're all the right type! (There are red oaks and mulberries across the street that blow over here). We also have gallium (bedstraw) growing here and the evening primrose. I'm not sure what the Scutellaria is, but SINS, I've got your answer! Come roll naked on my front lawn and your problems are over! All of those ingredients are right there, as natural as can be! (We're also a helluva lot cheaper than a pharmacy). If Kendall comes to help he'll have to feel his own grapes.

oooooo. . . i'll just take my hat and go now

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 03:19 AM

Cruciferous vegetables are cited as popular treatments in a couple of references I have, but the naturopathic treatment cited as most frequently used is a poultice of freshly grated raw carrots. (No information is given on how effective this treatment is, but maybe it improves your "color?"

My sources indicate that the most common cause is a "simple" blockage of some of the ductwork, and suggest that gentle massage is generally helpful, if you can tolerate it. Massage in a warm shower is suggested by a couple of sources, and at least one suggests that careful and gentle use of an electric vibrator may be helpful (but probably not in the shower, unless your B.O.B. is one of the more exotic ones).

The condition is apparently fairly common, but varies greatly in severity, from barely noticed to cases such as yours. It is noted that it does not necessarily involve an infection, although the symptoms can mimic infection even when none is detected. The advice is given that even when infection is present, it usually is "self-limiting" and should clear up with minimal treatment. Of course, you will want to let your doctor help you make sure you're not the exception that needs a more drastic treatment.

You are perfectly entitled to cite the observation that it seems to occur more frequently in stressful situations, and the best treatment demands that you be pampered and loved, and relieved of all stressful demands and obligations until you are back to your normal condition.

We will all hope that that happens soon.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 07:20 AM

Well Sins I can't contribute any positive remedies, and being a mere male I can't imagine how much pain you are in, but I can send you good vibes to help you feel better. I must admit that my first reaction was similar to Spaws', but I managed to supress the impulse. Then I remembered from a long time back the pain that a girl friend of mine was in just after the birth of her baby, when she did a very passible imitation of an over producing milk-bar. I remember the feeling of helplessness as she suffered that pain.
Still it's only just after 7 am over there, and a new day is starting, which I hope finds you feeling more comfortable. Remember if the cabbage doesn't work you can always make sauerkraut with it.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 11:38 AM

Is that like making lemon-ade out of lemons.

I have been under inordinate stress lately for a variety of reasons. And what I thought was the onset of depression seems to be the symptoms of my body fighting infection.

Now...is the vibrator for massage of the ducts or stress-relieving purposes? I want to get this right.

SRS - rolling naked on your lawn may solve one problem but I have a feeling it might create another. And there is always the chance of poison ivy.

kat - you are the first to say no coffee or soft drinks. I don't know why I hadn't realized that caffeine is not a good idea right now.

I am actualy not in a lot of pain just uncomfortable and a little relieved that the worst of it is not a tumor.

Spaw - you are all talk! One peep at these magnificent globes and you would scurry back home for safety.

Lastly, Kendall. Do you really want Dani to peel your grapes? What goes on between you two?

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 11:44 AM

STOP IT

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Amos
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 11:50 AM

One peep at these magnificent globes and you would scurry back home for safety.



Spoken like a true Matriarch of the Temple of the Golden Globes, SINS -- and as they say in the booster meetings before services there, "You've really got the touch!!".

Reverend Curvacus Hypnoticus, Senior Tactilician
Temple of the Golden Globes

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 12:09 PM

Sorry, Kendall--we're all a little fruity this weekend.

SINSULL, you're wise to bypass my front lawn. There isn't poison ivy there, but at the bottom of the back yard over the creek there's tons. Best be safe rather than sorry.

Vitex is in the legume family, and what we have here is a tall shrub that sometimes is pruned into a small tree. It smells wonderful, and if you brush it you get the same kind of rich fragrance as if you brush against rosemary, though I wouldn't characterise their smells as similar, if you can see my distinction. Anyway, as with the suggestion of using lavendar (was that this thread? I just took a glance through and didn't see it) perhaps the fragrance of herbal teas would at least help relieve the stress if not the other symptoms.

Another thing on Kat's list was acidophilus, and it occurs to me that if you eat yogurt for your acidophilus or take capsules, for it to work best you should eliminate sugar from your diet for now. Sugar tends to ramp up infections by encouraging the growth of harmful flora and acidophilus helps fight them with good flora. You want to stop feeding one while you're encouraging the other.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 04:13 PM

Oh, golly---I had a *raging* case of mastitis when my eldest son was a baby; I was sick as a dog, raging fever, dizziness, nausea, YUCK.

I treated it with CONSTANT hot compresses, lots & lots of water, and antibiotics. I heard about the "cabbage treatment" years later, but foirtunately never had occasion to try it again!

It probably couldn't hurt; feel better soon!

D.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Cluin
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 10:32 PM

A woman and a baby were in the doctor's examining room, waiting for the doctor to come in for the baby's first exam. The doctor arrived, examined the baby, checked his weight, and being a little concerned, asked if the baby was breast-fed or bottle-fed.
   "Breast-fed," she replied.
   "Could you strip down to your waist, please," the doctor ordered.
   She did. He pinched her nipples, then pressed, kneaded, and rubbed both breasts for a while in a detailed examination. Then, stepping back, the doctor motioned to her to get dressed.
   "No wonder this baby is underweight," the doctor concluded. "You don't have any milk."
   "I know," she said, "I'm his Grandma, but I'm glad I came."

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 11:29 PM

Cluin! Thanks for that! My daughter and two month old grandson are living with us and I did indeed go with them for his first checkup. No chance of the doc being so cheeky, though.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: open mike
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 01:37 AM

oh my--i thought this was a dairy topic--goats or cows.
I guess any mammal (female) could be bothered by this condition.,.
hope you have found some relief..
as a card i got once said..
when you need relief take a bath,..
I have been in here for 3 weeks...
maybe a hot tub would exasorbate
(make it worse??) would epsom salts
help to draw out any congestion?

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 01:45 AM

Although I'm sure your vines have tender grapes Kendall, you really do need to consider seeing a Doctor for a "Sack Peel." Most plastic surgeons do them and it will make your nuts look 30 years younger.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 05:01 AM

Sins -

I've rechecked my references, and they are quite clear that B.O.B. is for massaging your ducts...

(I guess that really is sort of ambiguous.)

But they did say that relieving the tension is important too.

Have you considered whether you should take a few snapshots before the swelling goes down - (reputation and advertising and all that - for future use)?
Some of us have some excellent photo editing software and could easily take the red out...

John

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Dani
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 05:14 AM

OoH! Why didn't I think of Epsom salts?! An outstanding masseuse I know always says to go home and soak in a tub with them because it draws out impurities and toxins that massage brings out. Good excuse for a great bath in any case, and the weightlessness will bring relief as well.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 05:14 AM

I agree, after the statement "One peep at these magnificent globes and you would scurry back home for safety" I think think you owe it to us all to send piccies up to Pene for the photos page :-)

Seriously though, I hope that the condition sorts itself out and you're soon feeling better.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: kendall
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 08:33 AM

I will be quiet, I will be quiet...

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 09:42 AM

It's only left-over elbow skin Kendall, you're better off without it!
John

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 09:58 AM

Ahhhh in my younger days I might have found a camera with a wide angle lens and provided a photo but alas time and gravity have taken their toll.

Kendall - this is a POOR MARY thread. Watch it!

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 10:14 AM

I think Kendall has fallen and he can't get up. . .it's just getting worse.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: kendall
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 10:36 AM

"He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see, why is everybody always pickin' on me?"

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Amos
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 10:55 AM

Anyone who is capable of uttering the deathless comeback, "I don't recall marryin' you!" has nothing to fear, Skipper! :>))


A

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 12:28 PM

Well, Mary, I could come up and peel grapes and read to you from the insurance exam manual . . .

My temp gig ended (again) on Friday. Talked to my "handlers" this a.m. and we'll see how quickly they get me earning moola again.

But I sold some books on Saturday and now have a full tank of gas in the car . . .

Linn (slightly batty, what with everything)

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: alison
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 11:47 PM

Well I'm hoping you're feeling a lot better now Sins!!... but just in case someone else comes in looking for cures......

mastitis is not fun... the current midwifery approach is hit it hard with antibiotics and keep feeding, (although the milk tastes different and the babies don't usually like it!! + it's agony for the mum!!)

but since you're not nursing.... cabbage is the way to go.... someone up above said "leave them on all day".... I disagree.....


what you should do is put the cabbage in the fridge (cool leaves work better) get the biggest leaves you can but rip the big thick veiny bit out of the middle.... (that is damned uncomfy against an already sore breast).....wrap as many as you can around the breast...

once those leaves warm up and you start smelling like warm cabbage.... swap them for some cool leaves... you can put the others back in the fridge and reuse them later.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 07:33 AM

Sin - it's more fun reading about your boobs than Janet Jackson's - just hope that they get back to their magnificent globe status soon, and that you're much more comfortable.

Subject: RE: BS: Mastitis
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 09:07 AM

When I first saw Jackson's globe, I thought it was covered in a cabbage leaf. Guess not.