Mastitis :( Update!

Update: I have not nursed Tanner for over 48 hours now. The infection part seems to be getting a little bit better but the drying up part is a lot harder than I thought it would be. It was so gradual with Izabel so I had no idea it would be like this, but I still have plenty of pain meds left and I am trying all the tricks everyone has to offer! Hopefully the worst of it is almost over and I can go back to being myself for my last few days of summer. I feel a little guilty that I am putting Tanner on formula but I am excited to get to have my body back. It's been so long since I've been neither pregnant or breastfeeding! Tanner had his first bottle of formula today and so far so good. Thanks for all of the advice and encouraging messages! Something so natural shouldn't be so hard but I know it'll all be better soon!

Mastitis: A sore breast or plugged duct can become a breast infection. This means that not only is the breast tender, but also the mother feels achy, run-down and feverish. This condition may or may not be treated by antibiotics.

I've been battling a breast infection for almost three months now. It finally got bad enough to force me to go to the doctor and I was diagnosed with an extreme repeated case of Mastitis. It started out Saturday and Sunday with a really high fever and chills. Then I woke up Monday with the pain. It is the most excrutiating pain I've ever experienced and I've had two c-sections! By Wednesday when it was time to see the doctor I was crying every time I sat down to feed Tanner. I knew I had to keep feeding him but it hurt so bad and I would feel nauseous when I did it. The doctor did an exam and said I needed antibiotics and as much bed rest as possible.

Let me just stop for a minute...bed rest...she does know I have two kids doesn't she!

Anyway I'm on an antibiotic four times a day for 10 days and percoset for the pain. I'm trying to rest but as you can imagine there's not too much of that going on around here (for me anyway). I talked to few people that have experienced this before and they all said that the infection came back and the only way to get rid of it for good was to stop breastfeeding. I have really had a hard time with this decision but we finally decided yesterday that it would be best to stop. I've done my best and made it through a lot but the thought of going through this again is unbearable! Now I am in the process of drying up and I'm experiencing a whole new kind of pain! At least I have the strong pain killers to help get me through which is why I thought this would be the best time. I'll update soon on how that is going but so far Tanner is having no problems with the bottle. We're still using up saved milk but we'll see how he likes formula very soon!

Hope everyone is doing better than me and having a great weekend!