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Avatar universal

44 yrs old ...2+ years with IGM

Hi I'm a new user who found this community when trying to figure out how to treat my idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.  Fortunately, my breast surgeon knew enough about IGM to know it didn't need surgery or steroids.  It's been 2 plus years since diagnosed (after ruling out IBC with a biopsy on two different lumps).  While I had several bouts of mastitis when nursing, but it has been 11 years since I have nursed!  I seem to be on the older age for this sort of thing.  I just got used to the painful, lumpy breast for the first 2 years. I think I was so relieved that it wasn't cancer that I was willing to deal with the discomfort.  Well...about 2 months ago, "it" decided to come to the surface.  Very "angry" looking and uncomfortable ...hasn't drained by itself but the surgeon did relieve some pressure by draining a bit.  I know want to pursue more natural methods. Trying warm compresses but has not been practical for my daily craziness with work and 2 teenagers.   I plan to try the calcium bentonite clay.  Any other suggestions appreciated.
Also curious to how many in this community are this far out from pregnancy/nursing?
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Avatar universal
To answer the question about how I could wear the clay so long.
First - it never dries.  The poultice I make is too thick to dry, plus it is not exposed to air, so that's another reason it doesn't dry.
I make the clay in a plastic cup.  I get the 4 x 4 gauze ready.  I am wearing the sports bra. I take a plastic knife and apply the clay so that it forms kind of a flat but thick paddy on the gauze.  I use both hands.  One hand lifts the gauze with the poultice the other is lifting up the bottom of the jogging bra. I squish the poultice on the part of the breast that is diseased, press down slightly.  Then I hold the whole gauze/poultice thing against the breast while I carefully replace the jogging bra around it.  If it is a snug bra, it will hold the entire thing in place.  Some lumps in the clay will remain.  I smooth the clay from the outside of the bra until it is the exact shape of the breast. All my activities from that point on are normal.  I can lie down, I can dance, whatever I want.

When my disease was worse, I used to change the clay every 4 or 5 hours.  Then 4 x a day. Then 3x a day.  Then 2x.  At some point I wore the clay every night but no longer during the day.  Now, I wear the clay about one night out of six.  I call that "cured."  Good luck.  They clay is very inexpensive.  One 5 pound bag lasts forever.  I am talking about the dry stuff that you mix with water.
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Avatar universal
Just to share my experience. I have completely recovered from GM 1yr ago after suffering for 1.5yrs.  Had done 1 Biopsy but it made it worst.  My advice is just stop all the treatmen n medication as it useless and waste money.  GM is cause by hormones. Biopsy will worsen the infection. After I stop all the medication for 1yr. . N it healed up naturally.  All I have to say it's take time.  Give yourself at least 1-2yrs time. Now I only left r the scars from GM. Anyone know what's the best way to get rid of the scars?  
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Avatar universal
It usually drains for sometime for me and then it closes up. For smaller it will only take a week for draining and closing up. It might do it again some months later. I noticed it flares when I have more stress, like travelling or not enough sleep.
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Avatar universal
Well the clay worked, I think.  The abscess drained last night in the tub after washing off the clay.  There was one hole on the side where it all came out.  So, disgusting...I thought I was going to pass out!  Tons of pus, ickk.  I had to get in shower afterwards to clean it all off.   Was relieved but then I saw the huge crater that was left when the pus drained.  I'm so afraid this is going to fill up and do it again.  Will the skin even out or is it likely it will keep filling? This is the first time in 2.5 years that the lump came to the surface (3 months ago) and drained.  
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Avatar universal
I just put clay, cover it with the piece of sterile pads or fabric, wear comfy bra on top and go to sleep. Take shower in the morning. Pads would stick to skin with the clay, but it comes off easily with the help of water in the shower. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Thanks for posting a reply. As I mentioned to Sush560, it's comforting to know there are others out there that have experienced this. I had a discharge from this IGM breast both before and after nursing, as well.  Not a lot, but I had none from the other breast.  This breast had always had a somewhat inverted nipple even before I was ever pregnant.   What did the dr tell you to do to get rid of lumps?  I never noticed lumps before but my myofascial release lady recently gave me some suggestions on trying to open up ducts and eliminate blockage in the breast tissue.

I think I saw a post that said you would leave the clay on for long periods of time (or someone did).  I'm finding it tricky to get 10 minutes with the clay in the evening.  Messy and not to practical to walk around the house like that with my son and daughter around and neighbors about.  How do/did you manage?  How often did you use the clay?
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply.  I'm intrigued by your diet but hoping to not have to go that route.  I have been whole food, plant-based for a year and a half, but have not eliminated night shades or sour fruits.  That might be harder for me than giving up cheese was!  
Thanks for sharing in this forum.  It is so nice to know that we aren't alone and to be able to talk to someone that knows what this is like.
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Avatar universal
Hi - I got GM 7 years after I stopped breastfeeding my third child.  During mammograms after my second child (2 years after my first child) and after my third child (5 years after my second child) milk would be squished out of the breast 1-2 years after I had stopped breastfeeding.  After my second child I had to go to a breast surgeon who taught me how to get rid of the lumps that had developed in one breast (that breast, years later, is where the GM developed).  So, there was possible old breast milk hanging around in the breast tissue.  Anyway, after Prednisone and Methotrexate only partially helped me, I cured my disease with clay and I have been on a sort of clay-based maintenance ever since (2010-2014)
Helpful - 0
5860291 tn?1379191935
I had this 6 to 7 years after nursing. In the literature, many women get it more than 6 yrs after first pregnancy. So you're normal. I had a huge lump with recurrent subcutaneous abscesses. Drainage never worked. They used to open spontaneously and there would be a channel which will fill up over time. Was given no steroids as surgeon said there was not enough evidence. Was given multiple antibiotics over 6 months, had terrible autoimmune response of fatigue, breathlessness etc. As last option, started my aunts homeopathy which worked miracles. Now after 4 months of homeo, and strict diet almost recovered. I would suggest either my full diet( described in previous post) or min , no protein ( except egg) no night shades, no sour fruits...good luck!
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