Anyone had mastitis when not nursing?

[Earlybird]

I've had a completely surreal day that's had me seeing 3 different doctors.

I woke up yesterday with a sore and slightly swollen left breast. I didn't take much notice, and put it down to my period approaching. This morning, I found a large, and very tender lump just under the nipple. There is a slight, dark discharge (like pinpricks) on the inside cup of my bra - sorry if TMI!

I called my doctor, who immediately arranged for me to have an ultrasound, which I did by noon. Based on the scan, the radiologist thought the swelling was caused by a blocked duct. She decided (with my doctor) that a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine was best, and advised a mammogram when the swelling and tenderness has gone.

For insurance purposes, I was then sent on to a consultant who did an exam, took a swab of the discharge, and has arranged for a (hopefully) precautionary mammogram and biopsy next week. He said it was unusual for a non-nursing woman to develop mastitis.

So, here's my question - have any of you heard of (or had) mastitis when not nursing? I hope I'm not being delusional when I say that I'm not overly concerned as, by coincidence, I had blood work, and a breast exam 10 days ago, and everything was fine.

Would appreciate your experiences/knowledge to inform myself and hopefully put my mind at ease. Thanks.

[beep]

I had it when my ds1 was 4 or 5.Actually I had it 3 or 4 times.It came back every month so it may have had something to do with hormones,the first time Ihad it the first lot of antibiotics didn't work they made it worse and it became an abcess,the 2nd lot of abs Ihad a bad reaction to so after that I had it treated with accupuncture.
I dont know what caused it.

[Libra]

I originally had mastitis when nursing DS2. It has come back since then (he is now 3). My doctor told me that it was quite common for it to recur even though I have stopped breastfeeding, particularly since I had such a bad attack - abcess which had to be drained in hospital. Ugh.

[Earlybird]

Thanks for the responses. It's reassuring to know that others have experienced this too, and that it's not necessarily an ominous thing.

Any daytime people who have had this?

[Berries]

I had non-infected mastitis when dd2 was about 2. Dr reckoned it was caused by a milk duct which hadn't drained properly after bf. Had a sore patch on side of breast, and small lump. Didn't need anit-bs, but did take massive doses of evening primrose oil, which worked, suggesting it was also hormone related.

[Mercy]

My SIL has suffered mastitis several times and she doesn't have any children. I believe she had a recurring abcess.

HTH

[Elibean]

I have a friend who had mastitis when not nursing - as others have said, it can and does happen. That said, hats off to your consultant for being so pro-active - that way, when they say 'its ok', you'll really be able to trust them! Hope it feels better soon.

[SnowQueenVictoria]

i had it when i was about 15 or 16. Definitely hadnt been pg before or at the time. dont know the whys and wherefores. bloody painful it was.

Had a few times since with b/feeding too.