How long to wait out mastitis?

Anonymous
Anyone have any experience with how long to wait out mastitis symptoms before taking antibiotics?

Asking because I just had a horrific stomach bug and not super jazzed about taking antibiotics, but also don’t want to wait too long. I know mastitis can sometimes be treated with anti inflammatory meds and icing, so have been trying that but want to know when to throw in the towel.

Thanks
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Anyone have any experience with how long to wait out mastitis symptoms before taking antibiotics?

Asking because I just had a horrific stomach bug and not super jazzed about taking antibiotics, but also don’t want to wait too long. I know mastitis can sometimes be treated with anti inflammatory meds and icing, so have been trying that but want to know when to throw in the towel.

Thanks


You do not “wait out” mastitis. Take the antibiotics.
Anonymous
Try cabbage leaves. I wasn't even offered antibiotics but cabbage helped a lot
Anonymous
You need to define mastitis. If youve got a blockage, pain and swelling, but NO fever, then infection may or may not have yet set in. I have fixed this myself by hand expressing/massaging the area frequently under hot, hot water in the shower or tub until the blockage is worked out, the swelling goes down and the pain goes away. If, however, you’ve gotten to a point where you have a fever and feel ill, it’s time to get on the antibiotics. I’ve had both scenarios multiple times each. Hope this helps!
Anonymous
Going forward use lecithin tablets to prevent future clogs (can buy in vitamin aisle) and ask doc for APNO script. It prevented me from mastitis and thrush (re-infections). Google both. They were both life savers which I had to stumble on myself w/ DC2. Other life saver is calmoseptine (can purchase on Amazon etc.). It's a water barrier for bedridden patients to prevent sores and only thing that completely shielded DC2's bottom from stomach virus which caused the worst case of diaper rash I had ever seen in less than a single day.
Anonymous
The sickest I’ve ever felt in my life was when I had mastitis. Worse than the flu. It escalated really quickly too. I wouldn’t mess around, because then you can get stuck feeling terrible outside of normal doctor hours.
Anonymous
Mastitis can be serious. See a doctor and let them decide about antibiotics.

As for stomach issues, a doctor once recommended I use probiotics (yogurt, OTC pills, etc.), when I’m taking antibiotics and it does seem to help. Of course, you should ask your own doctor about your specific case.
Anonymous
Mastitis made me feel like I was hit by a truck. I can't even imagine not taking the antibiotics.
Anonymous
If you have a fever, I'd wait no more than overnight. Maybe 2 if you really don't want antibiotics. I once had a fever, chills, felt terrible, and planned to make an appointment with my PCP as soon as they opened the next day. But then when I woke up I was fine.

I went to the ER with awful mastitis symptoms a week postpartum and they were reluctant to give me antibiotics. I think a lot of doctors are more cautious about prescribing them than they used to be.
Anonymous
Right now. Don't mess around with it.
Anonymous
You need to take the antibiotics now.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Mastitis made me feel like I was hit by a truck. I can't even imagine not taking the antibiotics.


This. It was like a really bad flu.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You need to define mastitis. If youve got a blockage, pain and swelling, but NO fever, then infection may or may not have yet set in. I have fixed this myself by hand expressing/massaging the area frequently under hot, hot water in the shower or tub until the blockage is worked out, the swelling goes down and the pain goes away. If, however, you’ve gotten to a point where you have a fever and feel ill, it’s time to get on the antibiotics. I’ve had both scenarios multiple times each. Hope this helps!

+1
Anonymous
It's been a while for me, but at the time, the doctor did not even want to see me--so posters so let a doctor decide must have different doctors. I had extreme pain and fever for about 24-30 hours. I didn't take any fever reducer because our bodies produce the fever for a reason. Folks: we survived for eons without antibiotics. OP is right not to rush to take them, especially so soon after a stomach bug.
Anonymous
Intrigued by these comments since my ob wouldn't even given antibiotics, and yes had a fever. Must be changing guidelines
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