Lactating?

MsFixit! · 01-19-2005, 11:29 AM

I haven't breast fed for 18 months but I'm still producing milk I think it's linked to the whole hormone disorder.

Has anyone experienced this and what did you do about it?

Thanks,

Paula

hoping4help · 01-20-2005, 12:20 AM

Have you had your Prolactin levels tested lately?

Not sure what you can do about it, except find out why it's happening, possibly left over milk, but not likely obviously if you stopped breast-feeding 18 months ago.

Hope you find out the cause and get it taken care of

MsFixit! · 01-20-2005, 01:28 AM

My prolactin levels were okay when I was tested but that was at a different phase in my cycle - the lactating only happens once a month...

My breasts have also become uneven - they used to be the same size but now they're not.

Off to see the Dr again!

Paula

tracybird · 01-20-2005, 04:30 AM

I would be keen to know what your doctor suggests.........

I have been lactating for over two years and my prolactin always comes back as normal!

I thought it was just my fluctating hormone levels.

Take care,

Tracy

MsFixit! · 01-20-2005, 04:36 AM

Traceybird - I noticed that you have TTC #1 written under your post - are you trying for your first? Or is the lactating carried on from a previous PG?

This seriously needs some more research - nice to know I'm not the only one.

Good luck with the TTC by the by! Here's wishing a little angel for you

Paula

Bratttchick · 01-20-2005, 10:42 AM

I had this problem for 5 years after my son was born and I didnt even breastfeed. I had tons of tests done ,including my prolactin level being checked and everything turned out normal. My doctor suggested that I make them off limits for a month to see if that did anything and it actually made it stop a little then it just sort of went away on it's own. After a year though its back and it drives me crazy cuz I think hey maybe I'm pregant. I swear I should buy stock in EPT !!! Whne you got o the doc make sure you tell him how much it bothers you or sometimes they just blow it off.

tracybird · 01-20-2005, 10:48 AM

I have not been officialy preg ................ although convinced I miscarried in nov/dec. No previous children. I also tried to leave them alone for a while but sometimes they get so uncomfortable that if I don't have a squeeze (Sorry TMI!) they are so sore! I also take anti-depressants so the docs, as they have no other cause, say its the side-effects of those.... BUT two years worth#????? Interesting topic as have been fobbed off about this everytime I go!

xxx

MsFixit! · 01-20-2005, 08:19 PM

I found a short passage in the book: What To Do When Your Doctor Says It's PCOS

It lists Hyperprolactinemia as a symptom of PCOS
It says that the pituitary gland secretes excess prolactin and suppresses ovulation.

I'm still not sure why my tests won't show excess levels of prolactin but I'm going to keep searching until I find out.

Tracybird - don't let your Dr fob you off on this one because if you're trying to get PG this will make it harder for you.

I'll keep you all updated on what I find.

cheers,

Paula

MsFixit! · 01-20-2005, 08:31 PM

Some meds can cause it - article link here:

http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw47630.asp

Paula

angrypcoser · 01-20-2005, 09:23 PM

My lactation went away tremendously when I made my husband quit stimulating my breasts during love making.

I know...WAY TMI, but my doctor is the one who told me to do that, and it really did work.

He also said to wear a sports bra that really supports the breasts and doesn't stimulate the nipples like lace does.

Hope this helps.

Kristi

deborahlou · 01-22-2005, 05:39 AM

This happened to me once. I was lactating (sp) for a while. Had a prolacting level done (normal) then my doctor, just to be in the safe side, had me do an MRI of the pituitary gland. Sometimes this kind of problem is related to the pituitary gland. Anyhow, everything came back fine but my doctor did tell me that if my boyfriend was ...ahem...sucking my breast too much that in some cases, makes your body produce fluid " lactate"....she says is not always milk.. My boyfriend stopped doing that for about 5 months and the lactating stoppped.... I'm thinking it really had to do with that.

tracybird · 01-22-2005, 06:49 AM

Thank you all for your replies.............. one thing that still doesn't sit right though is that my DB doesn't touch my boobs, mainly due to the fact that they are usually to sensitive! So am still a little confussed! ALso the liquid on one side often comes out black or green.................sample done for infection but came back negative. Do you think it is worth them taking another sample? With my continued Doctor's trips they know me by name and I have my own chair..... only joking but always feel like i'm taking up valuable NHS resources!

Thank you again and always
TRacy

MsFixit! · 01-22-2005, 07:42 AM

Hi Tracybird,

Me again - I noticed that you mentioned the words black and green???
When I was bf I did a lot of reading up on the subject of lactating - black and green - go get re-tested!
The only time my milk changed consistency - really thick - was when I got a bout of mastitis (infection of a milk duct).

Have you had a mamogram done?

A great resource can be found at: www.lalecheleague.org

Best of luck,

Paula