Hi All,

 

I have a mom I have worked with for almost 18 months now who has her first
case of mastitis and it is a whopper!  Here are the details:

 

First occurrence right before Thanksgiving - saw red streaks - didn't feel
well - rested and pumped and got rid of it.

2nd occurrence 1 week later which now involved both breasts.  She went to
her Dr (at my insistence) and he gave her a prescription for clyndimiacin.
It seemed like mastitis was getting better but then flared 5 days into
treatment which then became the 3rd occurrence.  This time Dr tested the
milk and it came back with enterococcus bacteria (much to Dr's surprise) and
mom was given tetracycline - 14 day treatment.

 

Last night, while still on tetracycline (about 7 days into treatment) mom
flared again.  She went to her Dr who had her stop taking the tetracycline
this morning and gave her a prescription for Cephaleaxin.  Mom is allergic
to penicillans which is why the perhaps unusual choice of antibiotics.  

 

Mom states both breasts slightly red, feeling tired and run down - no fever.
Both breasts are still involved.   Milk is now flowing very slowly - mom
must take hot shower to get milk to come out.  Mom is using hospital grade
pump and pumping every 3 hours.  Mom was used to pumping only 4 times in 24
hours and had done so for many months (5 months) with NO problems of any
kind.  Baby is 18 months old has never breastfed.

 

We can't figure out what the issue is and why the mastitis won't resolve
with antibiotic treatment, resting, adequate pumping etc.  Mom is treating
appropriately.  I haven't seen bilateral mastitis that refused to resolve
since my own case 14 yrs ago (and I have no idea what cleared mine up - it
just finally went away - after 3 months and 4 different antibiotics.).

 

I am at a loss and mom and I are open to any and all suggestions.  Please
e-mail privately.

 

Thank you!

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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