On Sunday, Mar 9, 2003, at 02:26 Australia/Perth, Karen Pogge, MD wrote:

> On a related note: In regards to the Australian news article that
> doubts
> the existence of plugged ducts, I feel quite certain that the author
> has
> neither personally nor professionally ever dealt with this phenomenon.
> Anyone who has suffered with significant mastitis issues knows that
> plugs
> (from stasis secondary to ineffective/inadequate milk removal,
> oversupply,
> or both) are present in many cases.  Not only can they be palpated, but
> sometimes they can actually be expressed.

I can speak from personal experience on recurrent blocked ducts, too. I
have exclusively pumped for five months (so far!). Each time I get a
blocked duct, the first sign is an altered ratio in milk volume
obtained between the two sides. I then focus on massaging the blocked
area (which becomes palpable by the next session). When the block is
relieved, the "flood" of milk is noticeable, and the final volume
obtained is much greater than expected.  I can't see inflammation
resulting in these observations!

Lara
family doc in Perth, Western Australia

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