There is of course a place for antibiotics in the treatment of
mastitis....in my view AFTER a positive culture has been obtained [- or
where infection is self-evident]. This
allows for prescription of an antibiotic which will effectively slaughter
the bacteria causing the problem. There is little place, I would opine, for
prescription of broad spectrum antibiotics in a cavalier fashion. Sadly the
fault often lies with the patient - many are incredulous if they leave a
doctor WITHOUT a script for antibiotics!
Consequently many Drs now tend to fall into the trap of trying to keep
patients happy.
I would argue that there is often inflammation and a blockage which can be
treated efficaciously with expression. Some women may find that if they
hold the pump in situ a second person can then pump the handle and better
pressures are generated. This needs a sense of humour as it is reminiscent
of a milking scene in a dairy! Naturally an electric pump is better still -
but these are not so easy to obtain.

Tony
----- Original Message -----
From: "gima" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2001 8:18 PM
Subject: Re: Mastitis Treatment


> At 08:20 AM 7/5/01 -0400, you wrote:
> >I do not know where the Lactneters got the idea that one immediately
begins
> >antibiotics at the first signs of mastitis.
>
> Dr. Nice, unfortunately in the Greater Milwaukee area almost woman who
> calls an OB office (usually considered her primary physician) with
mastitis
> symptoms has a prescription for antibiotic called in to the pharmacy--[the
> exceptions are a couple of OBs who have LC connections]. She is not seen
by
> anyone.
>
> Even if the mother goes in to the OB office, if she says that her breasts
> are sore she will likely be given an antibiotic "just in case", especially
> if it is Friday. And you should hear what a woman has to go through to get
> treated for nipple/ductal yeast which comes a week or so later.
>
> One problem is that most OBs fail to see breasts as functional. They are
to
> be examined for lumps; otherwise they are ignored unless a woman who is
> breastfeeding calls, then it is infective mastitis. The normal lactating
> breast must not be covered extensively in their medical training.
>
> One mother wisely asked, "Whom do the breasts belong to?  The Ped won't
see
> me and the OB isn't interested in how I feed my baby."
>
> I am hoping that "The Lactating Breast" will become a popular course of
> study now that so many women are seeing breastfeeding as the normal way to
> feed their babies.
>
> I also hope that this post doesn't sound like Dr. bashing. I have
> compassion for the physician who is presented with a challenge that he/she
> was not prepared for. How can he/she know (unless I tell him/her) that
> mastitis can be inflamatory and can be adequately treated with
> anti-inflamatory meds, adequate drainage of the breast, etc. I am sharing
> this knowledge with all whom I come in contact with.
>
> And each morning as I begin my day, I bless the OBs.
>
> Pat Gima, IBCLC
> Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
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