I am breastfeeding my 2-month old boy. About 3 weeks ago I had a really painful clogged duct that went away within a day with constant nursing, massage, warm compress. At my 6 week visit back to my ob/gyn, she put me on antibiotics to make sure it wasn't an infection. I took them until they were out and was still feeling some on and off pain in that breast, and it was painful when my son first latched on (this breast also produces a lot more milk than the other).
So she put me on stronger antibiotics, it's been about 60 hours since I started these and my breast feels like it's improving a bit, but now I am experiencing itching/rash-like blotchiness on my arms and feel kind of tingly all over. My doc said if these antibiotics didn't help within 2-3 days she'd have to put me in the hospital on IV - which I obviously really don't want to do with a new baby! Anyone experienced anything like this? I don't have a fever and have felt fine otherwise.
its very common for antibiotics to cause an overgrowth of the Candida yeast. The nipples can get very sore, pink, swollen, itchy, and tingly. The yeast can move into your armpits and creases of arms where moisture is.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t028100.asp
I second Catherine in ALL that she said.
Stop taking the antibiotics! they are attacking your body's immune system. In the future, just because you have a clogged duct, dose not mean you need antibiotics. They are only needed when you get mastitis, (or the duct is not resolving with in a couple of days, and increasing in pain or a fever) It sounds like you did everything you were supposed to do, and it resolved its self. The pain when latching on is normal for thrush and can be treated with topical solutions not antibiotics. It is also normal for there to be tenderness in same spot the duct was clogged, for up to a week or two after. The tissue there was bruised, and still inflamed slightly. So it takes a while for it to heal. I actually take it as a good sign, cause you can actually feel the milk flowing through and that is why it is slightly painful when nursing, and if you were to touch it or massage it, it kinda feels just like a bruise.
Start eating yogurt every day for about 2 weeks to balance your body again. Make sure it has some live active cultures. It is a good way to get those probiotics not in a pill form.
Good luck
E.
You may be having an allergic reaction of some sort to the antibiotic. I am now allergic to Keflex and Septra/Bactrum. I have had sooo many bladder/UTI and sinus infections and was repeatedly put on those medications that now Keflex gives me a horrible rash all over and I itch like crazy and the Septra/Bactrum makes me have hives, even in my mouth and throat. I would ask to be switched to another antibiotic. Good Luck! It is no fun to be itchy! You could try hydrocortisone cream and benedryl to relieve some of the itching but if it is caused by the antibiotic, you will still have some itching.
This sounds very normal for an allergic reaction. Call the Dr. ASAP. I'm pretty sure they're going to tell you not to take any more of the meds. Ask her for something different that isn't pennicilian based.
The itching and rash sounds like an allergic reaction to the antibiotics. As far as the breast pain, it sounds to me like the antibiotics upset the balance of yeast in your body and you may now have thrush, which could be what is causing the pain when your son latches (thrush is often described as feeling like a bunch of little shards of glass in the nipple, or as a burning and stabbing knife-like feeling).
If you do have thrush, there are several homeopathic remedies for dealing with it (such as Gentian Violet, GSE, vinegar/water, probiotics, etc.), or you can see a doctor and get a prescription for Nystatin cream. You will want to treat both your nipples and your baby's mouth (and diaper area if he has a rash) to ensure you get rid of the yeast, otherwise you risk passing it back and forth...
I would be hesitant to go back to that ob for issues dealing with breastfeeding... to me it doesn't sound as if (s)he really knows much about it. If the clogged duct went away and you weren't feeling feverish or in pain, it is doubtful that you ever even had a breast infection or needed the antibiotics.
In the future, when on antibiotics, it is a good idea to take a probiotic to keep the candida in your body in check.
Hope you can get it resolved soon!
I had a terrible breast infection that finally tested positive as MRSA. This went on for 2 1/2 mos. I was on 4 different antibiotics over the course of the infection. You could be reacting to the antibiotic. Call your doctor and report your reaction. I initially a fever and flu like symptoms, but that went away, even though the infection didn't.
On a side note- before letting your doctor admit you to a hospital, ask to be referred to a breast specialist. I finally was and my infection got properly treated. Make sure they culture you for MRSA. Hope you feel better soon.
