BEWARE of Mastitis!!! (+Advice please)

To every BF Mom out there: INFORM yourself about mastitis and beware- it is truly the sickest I have ever been in my life. I BF two children for 1-year each and never had a scare.

On Friday the top of my left breast felt tender when baby#3 nursed. Let-down was also painful. It was a little firm to touch but no “lumps”. No noticeable redness or shiny and not overly warm. Within 3 hours I had full blown mastitis- temp of 103.4 that only went down to 101 right after taking ibuprofen. Breast slowly developed light red streaks on top, and after applying hot compress looked very blotchy red (see graphic pic).

OB on call prescribed me antibiotics and I took first dose that same evening. I did hot compress, massage, nursed from every angle (dangle-feeding, etc), pumped, hot shower and massage, etc. My fever stayed between 101-103 for more than 24 hours and I was achy and miserable- incapacitated in bed, groaning. Finally fever broke last night and I have been able to get up and eat and do the basics.

So- BEWARE AND SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU NOTICE REDNESS AND/OR HAVE FEVER COME ON!!!!

Now ADVICE PLEASE:

My breast has a tender, firm area on it still (almost a rectangle of firmness that extends from top down to nipple but not a “lump”) that hurts LESS than it did yesterday- but def still there. Is this normal and will it slowly heal? Or Could it be abscess? Are there symptoms to tell if it is abscess other than going in? Any advice appreciated!

*UPDATE* Fever broke @30-some hours after starting AB, flu symptoms subsided @48 hrs, redness gone @4 days but still tender as if bruised. Def dip in milk supply despite constant nursing but OK for me since I had such an oversupply. Sorry to anyone who gets this but hope this post helps someone!!! ❤️🤱