Mastitis not @ directly related but @ mentioned

[TamiTaylor]

Has anyone ever had Mastsis when not nursing or pregnant?

I went to the dr last Thursday (after being in pain since that Sunday) and was DX with mastitis even though I’m not pregnant or nursing. I haven’t breastfed since J was 1. He’s 10 now. I haven’t had any trauma to area. They’re nothing I can think of that would cause mastitis to occur. The dr ordered an mammogram and ultrasound (which I can’t get in to for weeks)

However my right breast has been causing horrible pain, to the point it even wakes me up at night. The pain radiates out from the nipple. I have been on antibiotics since Thursday and I feel like it’s not improving. In fact, my left breast is starting to feel numb (?) Or maybe tingling but as bad as the right one but not pleasant.

I shouldn’t have googled but I did, and the first thing that pops up is Inflammatory Breast Cancer (which I also shouldn’t have googled but I did) so now I’m totally freaked.

Has anyone had something like this and it only be mastitis?

[thejen626]

I knew a woman that had mastitis before she was ever pregnant. We were in our early 20’s. She did go on to have 2 kids and didn’t get mastitis again.

I had it after my 2nd baby. It was awful!!!! I felt like I was going to die. I hope you feel better soon.

[sonrisa]

I'm so sorry. Did the doctor give you a timeline for the antibiotics? How long before you should either feel better or contact them for a different prescription?

[litasail]

If you haven't already, I'd reach out to your doctor to let them know that you are not seeing improvement from the antibiotics. I'm so sorry.

[mccallister84]

I only had it when nursing but had relief within 24 hours with the antibiotics. I would reach out to your doctor again.

[TamiTaylor]

Apr 3, 2023 13:20:44 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

I'm so sorry. Did the doctor give you a timeline for the antibiotics? How long before you should either feel better or contact them for a different prescription?

I was told I should feel relief in24-48 hrs but it is a 10 day script I have to finish. I called them today, waiting to hear back.

[lilac05]

I only had it while nursing, but I had a case that didn’t respond to two different t antibiotics. It ended up turning into an abscess. The pain was so awful. It

Please call your doctor back if you’ve been on antibiotics more than 24 hours. They have different options for antibiotics. Ask about how to tell when it could be an abscess or something else, and what to look for.

[lilac05]

Our posts overlapped. I’m glad you called back.

Push to get that mammogram/ultrasound done stat. They *can* get you in faster, promise. If it’s an abscess, you absolutely need to know sooner rather than later.

[nicolewi]

I’m sorry, that sounds awful! I had mastitis a couple times, but it responded to antibiotics pretty quickly. It also seems weird that your other breast is starting to hurt now?? I would be going back in if I were you.

[TamiTaylor]

Adding:

I didn’t feel any lumps and the doctor on Thursday said they didn’t feel any lumps. However the littlest touch to the area had me in tears.

[mofongo]

My friend had an infection (or abscess, not sure) years after she was done breast feeding. She even had fever and body aches. I’m glad you called back, you may just need a different antibiotic. She did have a mammogram and u/s and all was well.

[kath16]

my mastitis (while breastfeeding) was MRSA, so i'm glad you called.

could it be a cyst? my girlfriend started getting painful cysts in her late 40s or so, which would presumably be pre-menopausal? i'm just spitballing here.

if your pain is bad or worsening, i also would consider the ER for this. especially if you cant get through to your dr.

[dcn]

I would call back and push to get into mammogram and ultrasound asap.

[kath16]

oh, yes. just adding that they can absolutely get you in for a stat mammogram/ultrasound. i had a small cyst, and there was some way that my doctor indicated on my Rx that it was stat for a lump because when i called they were like "oh crap, can you be in first thing tomorrow"

[agnes]

I have never been pregnant and had mastitis in my right breast years ago. No idea why. From what I recall, the antibiotics worked for me as expected.

[stemmie]

I'm sorry. That sounds awful for you.

FWIW, I know someone who had inflammatory breast cancer. She ignored it for a number of reasons-- weight and modesty for the most part. She described it as warm and a tender, but not actually painful. And she had skin changes before that. YMMV.

Mastitis can impact women (and men who) aren't pregnant or lactating. When I had it (nursing) the abx kicked in within 24 hours. I wonder if you need a culture and change of medication.

[piaffe]

I had cellulitis in my right breast when my DS turned 2. Oral Antibiotics didn’t cut it so I got rocephin shots I eventually had to have it surgically drained. Do you have any heat or redness to it?

[chedifuen]

I had MRSA in my breast, unrelated to breastfeeding. It was initially diagnosed as mastitis and only when antibiotics didn't clear it did they make the determination that it was MRSA. I would push to be seen again.

[wanderingback]

Never had it myself but have diagnosed it (also cellulitis). If it doesn’t improve with antibiotics then yes I order an ultrasound and mammogram. I would follow up with your doctor for next steps. I hope you feel better asap!

[chilerellanos]

Also maybe some lab work to check for a pituitary tumor? I have two friends who was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor due to mastitis not related to breastfeeding.

[vasc]

I had mastitis 3 times as a teenager (teenager!) — each time treated with ABX. After the third round I was sent for an ultrasound that found a cyst blocking a milk duct. The physician was able to aspirate the cyst under ultrasound guidance and pathology found it to be benign.

[kath16]

TamiTaylor how are you feeling today?

[whattheheck]

Where I go for my mammograms/ultrasounds there is a difference between screening and diagnostic mammos. The screening ones book way out. In order to get in earlier the script had to be written as a diagnostic mammo/us and I had to specifically ask them to release a diagnostic appointment. Not sure if that will help you get in earlier.

[somersault72]

It sounds like it's likely some sort of infection whether it's an abscess or mastitis. It also sounds like it's probably getting worse (at least according to your last update). Regardless, this is an acute thing and you should not be having to wait weeks to get in for your mammogram and ultrasound.

I would call your doctors office and see if they can help you get in sooner, often times they have a back line to the breast center that patients aren't privy to and can assist you with getting scheduled in a more timely manner.

I know where I work when patients call to get things like this scheduled, it's a call center, and those people often do not have a clinical background.

I hope you feel better soon.

[TamiTaylor]

Apr 4, 2023 22:10:00 GMT -5 kath16 said:

TamiTaylor how are you feeling today?

Update:
I called my doctor and begged them to call around on my behalf. I was able to get in to a place yesterday. The good news is that they told me at the end of my appointment that they didn’t see anything that indicates cancer. The bad news is I am still in pain. My doctor called a new Rx for my yesterday that I started yesterday evening. Still feel awful but I’m going to give it some more time.

[whattheheck]

Apr 6, 2023 17:27:17 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Apr 4, 2023 22:10:00 GMT -5 kath16 said:

TamiTaylor how are you feeling today?

Update:
I called my doctor and begged them to call around on my behalf. I was able to get in to a place yesterday. The good news is that they told me at the end of my appointment that they didn’t see anything that indicates cancer. The bad news is I am still in pain. My doctor called a new Rx for my yesterday that I started yesterday evening. Still feel awful but I’m going to give it some more time.

Good for you for advocating for yourself. Are there any other tests/imaging your Doctor is recommending? Maybe a breast health specialist referral? Please keep us posted.