Hi-

I am an LLL leader and not been able to find much info on galactoceles or 
potenial breast abcesses.  

I have a lump in my breast, directly under the areola.  It is hard and is 
about .75 inches long and .25 inches wide.  It seems to run right along a 
duct.  I noticed it and started treatment like it was a clogged duct, 7 days 
ago.  It has not resolved.  I've had clogged ducts 3-4 times in my 11 years of 
breastfeeding, and they've always resolved in 12-24 hours.  I have not 
developed any symptoms of mastitis.  No fever, unwell feelings, or redness at 
the site of the lump.  It is tender to the touch and it hurts to nurse.  Still, I've 
been nursing LOTS to try and get it to go.  Done all the heat, massage, hot 
showers, lechithin and selenium.

Two days ago (day five of the lump) I went to see my Nurse Practitioner and 
had her look at it.  She was concerned, yet knew not what to do.  I let her 
read my copy of the Breastfeeding Answer Book about breast problems and 
she then looked up some info on a medical website that she has a subscription 
to.  She had never heard of a galactocele, but agreed that it sounded like 
that's what it could be.  She gave me a referral to a surgeon for possible 
aspiration.

The surgeon was a very nice man, but clearly knew nothing about the 
lactating breast.  Not surprising, but always disappointing.  He gave me a 7 
day prescription for dicloxicillin, and wants to see me in 5 days if it hasn't 
improved.

Is there any point in taking the antibiotic?  I don't have an infection.  No 
fever, no malaise.  

I'm continuing to treat it like a clogged duct, but it is not helping.  I've read 
other stories that say that once the blockage is too big to reabsorb, removing 
it is the only way to clear it.

Does anyone know how I might get in touch with a doctor who has knowledge 
about the lactating breast?  I looked on the Academy of Breastfeeding 
website, but they do not have a member list.

Any info or help would be appreciated.

Melanie Kollman
LLL Leader
Bangor, ME

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome