breastfeeding and swollen breast

Hello everyone, I have a seven month old daughter I'm exclusively breastfeeding, and this morning I woke up with my right breast pretty swollen and painful, and I also felt feverish and weak all day.  I'm not sure whether it's just a clogged milk duct or maybe mastisis, just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced these symptoms and what it turned out to be?  I don't have insurance and am trying to avoid a trip to the dr, but I'm afraid I might need antibiotics to get better.

[snagglepuss1]

hmm...sounds like mastitis to me! i had it with my ds when bf and had same symptoms, if you have fever and swollen and sore breast already you need medication to sort it, try putting cabbage leaves which have been put in the fridge and chilled on the affected breast to help with any swelling and pain. get to doc asap though!

claire

[AndiJ78]

I agree, but don't overdo the cabbage leaves, they have been known to dry up the milk if used too much. You need to still nurse on that side as painful as it may be. Doing that along with antibiotics should clear it up quickly.

Don't both responding to this, just get into the doctor for those antibiotics. I just got over a bout with mastitis and it took 3 days before I started getting some relief, but then it was all downhill.