I called the OBs office and spoke to nurse pract. about my theory that this
chronic breast pain is analagous to low-grade sinus infection.  When I get
tired of dragging around and none of my vit. or homeopathic remedies have
cleared me up, I finally go to the doctor.  He doesn't generally do cultures
or tests, just gives me abx and I start feeling well again.  I asked them if
they would please just try this mother on abx for 10 days and chose a wide
spectrum abx that would get both staph and strep.  I will keep you all
posted.

 I am so grateful for Lisa Amir and Cathy Fetherston's helpful suggestions.
Cathy's explanation that colony cts might be quite diluted by milk from
healthy lobes was a good and useful insight for me.   I have another mother
(in fact, I am presenting her case in Australia in Oct at the ALCA conf.)
who is in the same boat.  She is now on 4th doctor (2nd dermatologist) and
the derm. says she is stumped.  The dermatologist plans to call me tomorrow,
and I will share Lisa Amir's idea about trying ketoconazole.

I agree that serious research into this prob. is needed.  I have 4 mothers
currently in this situation.  If I see them, others must also, and I don't
know how to get them help. First the med. lit. keeps insisting on febrile sx
and colony cts at a certain level.  Then we don;t really know how to culture
or what the results mean.

I recently sent one mom, a midwife, to a breast surgeon to rule out cancer
(she is 8 mo. pp with sudden onset of unilateral engorgement, unrelieved by
any measures, and low-grade pain, has persisted for 7 wks now.)  The surgeon
did ultrasound and mammo. and said no detectable masses, but he want to send
her to infectious disease spec.  I am really supportive of this idea, as
maybe these specialists will have a clue.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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