is breastfeeding making me SICK?

Jenn - posted on 11/21/2011

B6 supplements and mayan abdominal massage : )

Liz - posted on 11/21/2011

What was the solution?

Jenn - posted on 11/21/2011

I forgot to mention that the reason for my low progesterone was extended breastfeeding (going on 25 months). Luckily I was able to figure out the problem and find a solution that did not involve weaning. I am now 5 months pregnant and still nursing : )

Aleks - posted on 11/21/2011

@ Becky, not sure if you are referring to me or to Rachel Rasmussen. If me, then I have already had it tested, along with vitamin and minerals levels - all came back pretty good.
If you are talking to Rachel, than pls ignore this...lol

Becky - posted on 11/21/2011

Test your thyroid.

Aleks - posted on 11/20/2011

Wow interesting.
I have of last few months been all over the place hormonally and emotionally (anxiety, wild mood swings, irritability, depression, variations in body temperature - yes at times I feel like I have "hot flushes" - I am not yet 37!!!). And I find this out of character for me. I have gone to the doctors regarding this, but have been met with shrugs of shoulders and "stress can cause...blah blah (fill in this space)". 'Irregular/late periods can just happen... may be its stress... " etc etc.

I too am long term bf (33mths and still going). I wonder whether this has something to do with it. I am not sure if I would go in the route of hormone replacement, but you have given me something to consider and keep in mind, potentially even discuss with doctor.

Jenn - posted on 11/20/2011

If you think you have low progesterone I would recommend doing two things. Chart your cycle and take daily morning temps. If your luteal phase is short that can be a hint that you do in fact have low progesterone. I would also recommend taking a B6 supplement as it can raise levels naturally and getting a series os abdominal massages to correct/increase blood flow to your pelvic organs. I know this can work because I had difficulty conceiving with our last pregnancy due to an inadequate luteal phase (which can be caused by low progesterone). I went to a Mayan abdominal therapist and fertility acupuncturist who turned me onto these natural remedies for low progesterone and I conceived that month. Why turn to medication when there is a more natural and less expensive solution?

Rachel - posted on 11/14/2011

he says its "not the industry standard" and that they're "untested". Both is true, but I countered with "they aren't the industry standard because they aren't patented. So, why would you invest in a test for a product you can't patent? He responded quite reasonably, that that may be true, but it still left his hands tied as a doctor, as he cannot ethically use me as a guinea pig, as he currently only uses bioidentical hormones on women without a uterus, or post menopausal (which is the industry standard, because synthetic hormones are a cancer and stroke risk for older women - not because bioidentical hormones are dangerous for younger women) I understand his position, so I called the compounding pharmacist and found a prescription grade otc progesterone cream that I'll reserve as a plan B, if the drs appt I've got Thursday doesn't pan out. At least he can monitor me, even if he doesn't prescribe it himself.

Holly Janelle - posted on 11/14/2011

Aww rachel thank you! Your soo sweet :) my husband would have nothing but janelle for my daughters name wasnt having any other nane, janelle kay is her name. what is wrong with these doctors?!? I'm so sorry your having to go through all of this it has to be so frustrating, I can't only imagine. It's their job to help and it seems as though the doctor you have talked to is just turning their back to the situation that's just not right! Is your doctor wanting to help you and just not crazy about the hormones the bio identical hormones the doctor works with or what??

Rachel - posted on 11/13/2011

Teresa-ME TOO! Wow. Yeah, I remember in gym class, when they made us run long distances, I'd be so "exercise intolerant" (as the progesterone deficient websites call it) that I'd walk the whole way and spend the whole time wanting to collapse. That was puberty. It hit again a few years later and in retrospect, corresponded with a growth spurt. Two years later, another bout, another grown inch. That's when drs managed to get me on SSRI's and birth control. And so I blamed bc for everything for the next few years. Then I started having kids, and I was able to more clearly see patterns emerging. But yeah, I think I've been suseptible to this for 18 years, not just recently. But its far worse now. I've never seen one thing (progesterone deficiency) link together so many of my issues, and always at key points where I would be vunerable to a progesterone drop.
Holly Janelle-I'm trying, but I'm learning the medical community has very little interest in any medicine drug companies aren't shoving under their noses. I found both a doctor who specializes in bioidentical hormones, and a compounding pharmacist, and my doc refused to even talk to either of them. The other doc is a GP, I really don't understand why bioidentical hormones are considered fringe medicine. And can I say, I love your name? I can't get it out of my head. Its beautiful. I've been meaning to tell you,...

Teresa - posted on 11/12/2011

Well, I know for a fact that breastfeeding or being a mom didn't cause any of my issues.... since I've had them for at least 20 years and only been a mom for 10. ;) Maybe it's increased my troubles, but certainly not caused them.

I've had all sorts of blood work done and 'nothing' is wrong w/ me.....

I hope you can get the issue figured out and under control. That's what I'M trying to do in my situation and it just feels like fighting a losing battle.... :(

Holly Janelle - posted on 11/12/2011

It sounds like you need to set up an appointment and go to a doctor and let them run blood tests and figure out exactly what you need. None of us are doctors so legally we really can't give you advise on this it's for a doctor to decide what's best for you and your situation.

Rachel - posted on 11/12/2011

Teresa-it wouldn't sell me either, but I don't think the therapy should be dismissed out of hand, simply because a celebrity is exploiting it. Hormones can take a long time to catch up on their own. Why wouldn't it still be the lingering effects? And bravo to you for sticking with it! Super props for that!
There's an ockams razor effect that can't be ignored here. The simplest explanation is usually the right one. Sure, I could have some unexplained neurotransmitter imbalance, or coincidental diabetes, and I would pursue that, if it weren't for the fact that SO MANY other breastfeeding moms have the same complaints. Low progesterone seems too logical.

Rachel - posted on 11/12/2011

insulin resistance can be a secondary characteristic of progesterone deficiency, due to progesterones role in making insulin receptors. And any PCOS diagnosis that came about when breastfeeding would be very suspect, as I've no history of irregular periods, although for most women, nursing IS a time of annovulary state, and would therefore present similar symptoms.
Note that I have not read any of Suzanne Somers books, or seen her television appearances on this topic. My only information comes mostly from actual doctors who have written books that, while denouncing her radical approach, seem to applaud her approach to fighting, not conventional medicine, but patented conventional medicine that is being heavily promoted to GP's without the whole story.

Liz - posted on 11/12/2011

Because Suzanne Somers advocates "alternative" treatments for cancer and uses her celebrity to say that chemotherapy kills people.



It's not celebrity endorsements that bother me. It's that Suzanne Somers, along with Jenny McCarthy, are dangerous quacks.



Somers is a liar. She twists the truth about her breast cancer treatment. She had a successful lumpectomy, which cured her cancer. She rejected preventative radiotherapy and chemotherapy (which reduces the risk of recurrence), and took some kind of "vitamins" instead. Now she goes around saying these vitamins cured her cancer, and that chemotherapy is unnecessary and dangerous.



I'm a breast cancer survivor. I also had a lumpectomy. But I chose to have preventative radiotherapy. My cancer was cured -- due to removal by surgery -- regardless of whether I had the radiotherapy or not.



Neither Somers or I needed chemotherapy or radiotherapy in order to save our lives, but others DO, and she's not helping.



-----



Anyway, sorry for the rant.



Have you considered looking into whether you have insulin resistance or PCOS?

Teresa - posted on 11/12/2011

My best friend has been on Prozac for years... through 3 pregnancies and is still breastfeeding her 3rd kid (10 months old).

A celebrity endorsement wouldn't sell me on anything though. ;)

I, personally, wouldn't and didn't go on any anti-depressants (or most other meds) while pregnant or breastfeeding. I am on my 3rd med try since weaning though. I HATE drugs, but I live w/ constant depression, anxiety, anger, fatigue, and headaches.... My NP tried to 'blame' my fatigue on still breastfeeding my son when he was 2.75 years old. She told me I should wean. I didn't listen. We didn't wean til 3.25. He's 3 years 7 months now and I'm just as fatigued as ever....

Long winded approach for me to say that I don't think breastfeeding is making you 'sick'. It MAY be a contributing factor to some of your issues, but.... maybe not.

Rachel - posted on 11/12/2011

Liz, why? In the great big world of celebrity endorsements, I'd be hardpressed to find a more genuine, sincere advocate for a product. Are we all so jaded that we can easily be sold pizza by a hockey star, but baulk at a woman who has actually been there and truly believes in the product? But rest assured, I would be looking for a prescription from my doctor for a compounding pharmacy. The more I read on this, the more I am convinced that progesterone deficiency is the root cause of post pardum depression.

Liz - posted on 11/11/2011

I wouldn't put too much stock in any website that boasts pictures of the author with Suzanne Somers.

Holly Janelle - posted on 11/11/2011

No I don't really think about it all I know and care about is, zoloft will not hurt my baby, I feel sooo much better when taking it, and it has helped me not ruin my relationship with ny husband and that's all that matters all that other scientific crap is for the scientists to know in my opinion I'm just thankful they made zoloft!

Holly Janelle - posted on 11/11/2011

It sounds like me (not constipation) before I went on zoloft to be honest I take 50mg every other day and I feel sooo much better. It's the only antidepressant that is safe while nursing. Dont do anything before you talk to your doctor, bur I would set up an appointment because you don't want to ruin your life over something that can be helped. I hope you get to feeling better soon!