I had my daughter in December of 2004. Since then my nipple has been inverted. I just thought it was something that happened. I didn't breastfeed her, btw. So in November of '06 I felt a lump in my right breast. It hurt ALOT so I went to the doc. Well, come to find out it was a clogged milk duct. Which I thought was weird that I hadn't had any symptoms before and no pain before then either. So I had the duct drained with a needle. It filled back up again. Although it's about a quarter of the size it was before. So I go to this new doc that I've been referred to and he says he needs to take out ALL my ducts on my right side! I REALLY want to avoid this or at least try to make an educated decision. He says that if he doesn't take out all of the ducts they will just keep filling up with stuff. I don't know how that would be possible since I've never nursed and am not nursing or pregnant now. I'm not having any kind of nipple discharge either. Then he says when he takes out the ducts that my nipple will be even MORE inverted than it already is! I asked him what if I just ignore it cause it's not painful or anything. He said cancer isn't painful either. Does that mean this could develop into cancer? I've searched online but all I find about clogged milk ducts are articles about when mothers are nursing, which doesn't apply to me and doesn't really help me either. So anyone if you can please help! Thanks!
Thanks so much for everyone's help! I AM going to get a 2nd opinion.
A.,
I had the clogged milk ducts also. They had to drain them a few times because it does fill back up. I was never told they had to be removed. You should probley get a second opinion on that. It did go away after a few times being drained. Hope that helps! I never Breast fed either! L.
A.,
My mother was having the same problem, only she hasn't given birth in 26 years. Her doctor advised her to have the duct completely removed, which she did. It was on out patient surgery and she had very little pain after. She was comepltely recovered in only 4 days.
hi contact the local la leach leage. i know they are a breast feeding group, how ever they may be able to inform you of other opps. and help you. around here they are like the experts when it comes to issues with milk ducts. weather or not breast feeding. good luck.
Get a second opinion for sure!! I don't think he meant it could turn into cancer...I think he was just saying that things don't have to hurt in order for there to be a problem. And yes, it's not normal, but get another professional opinion with clearer answers.
I would go for a second opnion. And do not leave until the doctor has explained it to the point where you understand what is going on. It is your body and the dr should be taking the time to explain in dept what is going on so you understand what your options are.
M.
A., my name is T. I'm a RN. Try to find a laction RN that is certified. Most hospitals can refer you to one or check on line locally. If she has been certified for a few years in this area then she should know the better physicians. Surgery should be your last resort. Get a mammagram asap. You will need a physician's order. Just don't wait, depending on the results you may need to have a needle biopsy which isn't very invasive. Good luck!!!
Please get a 2nd opinion. I have a wonderful OB GYN named Dr. Timothy Murphy ###-###-#### (GR). I nursed and have experienced a few clogged ducts. I was told to apply hot washcloths and massage the breast in between nursings. Good Luck!
This seems very strange to me. I'm a nursing mother. I've nursed my son, daughter, and now my youngest who I am still nursing. I have never heard of a clogged milk duct that stayed so long after you were pregnant. That may have happened because you did not nurse your baby and the milk just got stuck in there, but still your doctor needs to give you more answers and explain things better to you. I have no idea if that would turn into cancer and I don't see how it would. I've had sore breasts when i weaned my son, but it went away after I wore a tight sports bra. With my daughter I didn't get it at all, but I weaned her more gradually. If I were you I would get a second opinion. Good Luck!!!!!
I'm not a medical professional, but this does not sound like a plugged duct. I would get a third opinion. If home treatment for a plugged duct doesn't work to move the plug toward the nipple or break if up within 24 hours, I tell moms to call their doctor because it's either probably going to get infected (mastitis and possibly abcess) or it's NOT a plugged duct but something else like a fibroid, cyst, tumor, etc. If this is a plugged duct, it's highly unusual that it would plug and just stay without getting better or worse. Have they done an ultrasound or mammogram on it? Removing ducts without even knowing what it is seems extremely radical.
Hope this helps.
A. Stuart, LBSW, CLC
Breastfeeding Support Home Visits
Grand Rapids, MI and surrounding area
###-###-####
____@____.com
In the very act of lactation there is, by nature, generated such an endearment of the suckled child to the nurse, as that she began it perhaps only for hire, finds herself engaged by a growing affection to supply in some measure the place of the mother to the orphan or deserted babe.
—Nihell E. A treatise on the art of midwifery, London 1760
A., this is not the place to ask for advice on this. You need to find another doctor who specializes in this. You are doing the right thing not jumping into having the procedure done. It may end up being what needs to be done, but until you find all the options out there, I wouldn't have it done either. If you seek another opinion and they say the same thing, but you still aren't sure, get another opinion. Until you feel its the right thing to do, don't do it. You'll find out whats right, it may take some time to get to that point, but you said it doesn't hurt or bother you, so there isn't a big rush to jump right into it. But don't ignore it either. Good luck:)Sue
Hi A.,
Have you tryed hot compresses? I purchased re-usable compresses about 3 1/2 years ago from Target. I found them where baby bottles, bottle brushes are located. It worked for me.
Sincerely,
K.
I am so glad you asked this question! I am currently going through something similar (breast fed my son 2 years ago for a month but didn't produce enough milk and had to give up - now pain and lump in one breast) and was researching on google and your post came up. What happened after getting your second opinion? I have a dr appt in 2 weeks for an exam and then hopefully for a mammogram. I am truly hoping that my issue is a clogged duct and nothing more. (Breast cancer runs in my family, and I don't care what they say, I think genetics plays a big factor)
Please Please Please get a second opinion!!!!!!!! You ALWAYS go with your first instinct... If you do not feel comfortable with what that Doctor has told you, I would request that you ask another Doctor. I have never had a problem like that but I was told that if I had a problem than to rub them in a hot shower to relieve it. I had 5 kids but was only able to feed 3 of them with breast milk so please from one mother to another,,,go with what your gut is telling you to do.
I have this same problem and it is in both of my breasts. it is quite painful though. it has happened to me for about 10 years now and when they fill up it is infection. if someone would give me the option to have my ducts removed i would do it in a heartbeat. my doc will drain mine and by the time i recover from that they are full again. i hope yours dont get worse. mine started off minor too. if you have the option to get it taken care of before it gets bad, i would do it.
RUUUUUUUUNNN From the booby cutting Dr.
This is not a chronic condition (some women DO have chronic mastitis caused by plugged ducts that may require surgery, but this is one duct drained one time)
This is a plugged duct, it's been plugged for a LONG time, the thing that plugged it is probably still in there so any fluid build up behind what has already been removed is going to drain down and get stuck again.
I had to have a plugged duct drained 3 times eventually the plug worked it's way out of my nipple (OUCH) by massaging the area in a circular motion toward the nipple. and I haven't had problems since.
