Help with site infection...

[jillsusanne]

Hi everyone, my name is Jill and I've been pumping for 3 years. I've never had an infection...until now. It's huge. It is getting better, but am hoping for some input. :)

I have the usual symptoms...very tender, red, swollen etc. My dr did prescribe an antibiotic and it seems to be clearing up. Blood sugars are back in line etc. My question is, the site is still very tender and is getting hard. I've gone back and forth from ice to heat, just depending on what feels better at the time. I'm taking motrin for the pain. Wondering if I should be doing anything else? I'm a runner and really can't even run right now because it really hurts! I have a lot of water weight gain...probably 5 pounds. Is this normal? Does anyone have any tips for getting back to normal? I have 3 young boys and I want to get back to my life. I also have no health insurance now, so going back to the dr unless it's a life or death situation is out of the question. Very frusturated.

Thanks for the input.
Jill

[Subby]

Hi Jill. I had my first really nasty site a month ago, after a year of pumping. It got very large and red (maybe 4cm/2inches?) hard like a disc, and took a few weeks to go away. In fact, there is still a hint of it now and it may be permanent, I tend to scar easily. My experience was it did take a long time to feel better, long enough to feel concerned. ABs should help. If the indications are good, just slow, it seems in line with my experience.

How does it affect your running? Unfortunately, I suppose avoiding anything that agitates it for a while might be wise. Hopefully it will be a lot better in a week.

I can't really help with the water retention issue, hopefully someone else can. Take care.

[jillsusanne]

Thanks Subby...This just stinks. I think I'm more frusturated than anything. It's nice to have a place to come post where people understand. :) I'll just keep on keeping on....

[poodlebone]

Are you also using a topical antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin? That might help. I know they also make a version with some kind of numbing ingredient, which might help with any surface pain.

[palefacegirl03]

Are you also using a topical antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin? That might help. I know they also make a version with some kind of numbing ingredient, which might help with any surface pain.

I was going to suggest this too. I will put a little on a site when I take it out if it looks a little red and has helped clear it up, I have only had to do it once or twice in almost 2 years.
If you have some sunburn pain spray stuff, that might help with the pain in that area.

neosporin is also what I use for my daughter's earrings, I will dip the posts in the neosporin before I put them in her ears, it has really cut down on the irritations from all those little cheap earings she likes to wear:D

[SCC]

My guess is you might always have a bit of a bump or scarring at that site.

The water retention? Maybe because you are fighting infection and not running? If you run every day and pretty far, maybe your body is just out of synch. Maybe cut back on meats and go to plant-based protein (if you don't already) to give your kidneys a break, in case they are overworked.

Sorry to hear about your trouble, hope that by the time you read this, you are on the road to recovery.