I am new to this list and am very excited to have such a wonderful resource!

I had a patient a while ago who had repeted problems with plogged ducts.
Usually about one time a week.  Never developed into true mastitis (no
fever, systemic symptoms).  With each occurence, she would (as instructed)
apply moist heat (in the shower) and massage the affected area (in addition
to nurse with the baby's lower jaw positioned as close to the affected
segment as possible).  Almost every time (with massage), she was able to
eventually manipulate a small (about 1 mm) hard white stone out of the
duct. Looked like a calcium stone.  This was followed by a large stream of
milk (it would "squirt across the room) and a complete relief in her
symptoms.

This occurred repetedly from the time her baby was about 3 months old until
about 6 months old.  Usually was in one of three ducts that seemed to be a
problem (two on the right and one on the left).

I did some searching at the time and found one similar description (I think
it was in a lay breastfeeding guide-- I was disappointed in the
professional medical literature) but it wasn't very helpful.  It did say
something about "too much dietary calcium," however.  So I had her stop her
calcuim supplements and the stones/plogged ducts did resolve!  She ended up
nursing for over 2 years.

I was wondering if anyone else came across similar cases.  I did do a
search on the archives and did not come up with anything.

Thank you.

-Jayne Charlamb, M.D.
Breast Care Center, Syracuse, New York

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