Quack! I've got a clogged duct

Monday, I was in a foul mood. My husband commented that we hadn't hugged or kissed the entire day, which didn't have the desired effect (Oh honey, hug, hug, kiss, kiss), but only added to my ire. I had a nasty stomach ache (source unknown), but even worse, I was suffering the most painful clogged duct in my left breast. Men can't even begin to relate to this. It was excruciating to pick up a wriggly infant, who would inevitably elbow me in the tit, let alone think about a cuddly hug with Dan. This marked probably my 10th bout with a rock hard breast, that literally feels like someone punched you, and then grabbed your nipple and twisted it completely around for extra effect. I have never had the mother of all pains - mastitis, but have to believe that this is a close second, without the fever and puking.

This problem has become a more frequent ailment within the last 3 months, and I am at a loss as to why this keeps happening. On our December trip, I got it twice. I spent one night in Argentina taking hot showers, putting boiling hot washcloth compresses on my breast and kneading myself like dough until 2AM. In addition, I did my damnedest to entice Stella to nurse, a sight that would be horrific to anyone that did not know what was going on. I swear that I exposed my breast, hung it all out, and chased her around the room with my barely swaying pendulum, literally trying to stuff my nipple in her face. I was nearly sobbing as I begged, "Please, please, suck!" Of course, one of the reasons that a person supposedly gets a clogged duct is because the milk is not emptying out of their boob, and it just pools up, swells, and eventually starts to thicken and dry out, lodging itself in your duct and preventing flow. Obviously, Stella was not hungry enough for 'milkie' and I was over producing. My friend lent me her antique glass pump that probably looks a lot like a gimmicky penis enlarger, and I went to town. Nada. Not a drop.
I have found that the only thing that seems to work for alleviating my pain is a slightly scary ritual with a needle. During one of my previous duct afflictions, I searched frantically on the Internet for advise. I ended up finding a chat thread where all the mom's were talking about a mysterious white dot. It seems that if none of the above works, all the massage and manipulation of your breast eventually yields a tiny white dot on your nipple. This is apparently the duct that is clogged, and if you squeeze hard enough, the dam could break and burst through this opening. Squeeze really hard? Mother of god! - you have got to be kidding. Many of the mother's suggested just taking a needle to the spot and poking your own hole of freedom. Believe me, when you get to the point of sticking a needle in your nipple, the pain and frustration is so advanced that it does not hurt at all. Voila! This usually does the trick, and a breast that wouldn't release any milk before starts to gush, or drip... and it's tinged pink...with blood.

My problem is I'm really sick of this cycle (duh), and would like to prevent the duct from becoming clogged in the first place. I don't know what to think of this all. Should I see this as a sign that my daughter wants to wean herself? Or, does she just need a lot less milk now that she eats a lot, and does my body need to figure out the correct supply required? These experiences make me very fearful about the pain that comes with an end to breast-feeding, and I don't think I'm ready. I know that I am already a bit of an anomaly, since I have nursed Stella exclusively (no formula) since birth, and she is almost 13 months. I used to claim it is so easy, but with these past episodes it really isn't. If there are any mothers out there who have like stories or suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate the input. I'm feeling a little desperate.


Photo at Red Frog Beach in Bocas Del Toro, Panama