Mastitis

I woke up this morning with mastitis. I was a little painful during the night, but I figured I was engorged since Daniel missed a feeding yesterday evening. But his eating this morning did not take away the pain. And I have all of the other classic symptoms. Ugh!

Earlier, I could not get warm. When I took my temperature, the highest number I got was 97. I took it about ten times because I've never had my temperature that low. It was 95.4 twice in a row. (I even used two different thermometers because I just knew the first one had to be wrong.) My mom came over to help with the children. She got me settled with two blankets and a heating pad, Daniel down for a nap, and she left with Sarah Beth.

Finally, I am warm. But now my temperature is 100, but it was 101 earlier. I feel much better now, except that I'm burning up. I've been trying to drink a lot, but there is little food that interests me. My doctor called in a prescription for me which my mom picked up. She is gone again to run some errands and feed Sarah Beth lunch. Then she will come put Sarah Beth down for a nap. Daniel is down for another nap right now. I am so glad that he still takes two to three naps a day.

The nurse told me not to nurse Daniel on the affected side, but my research on the internet says to continue to nurse. So I will. The funny thing is that it is usually new mothers who get mastitis, not mothers who have been nursing their child for nine months. And there are no cracks or sores to account for it, either. And Daniel misses feedings at least once a week when I run errands and leave him with a babysitter. I don't understand why I have this.

Anyway, do you have any suggestions? I read about moist heat, so I am trying that. Since I am starting to get hot, I think I will go take some Tylenol. At least, I'm not shivering anymore. That was awful.