Help tiredness and lactating again - nearly two years post breastfeeding!

[takingawhile]

H everyone,

I wonder if anyone can help, if they have experienced the same thing. I have been unusually tired recently. My LO has been up in the night (he is coming up to the three years old) as he is potty train(ing)ed and wakes for a "wee". The problem is I noticed he has been trying to grab my breasts more, apart from this feeling a bit odd and him finding it hilarious, I have noticed I have started lactating again in one breast!!! My breasts had become painful and I thought I noticed fluid coming out when having a shower, then as I squeezed one gently milk came out (sorry if this sounds gross). I'm not pregnant (on cerazette and use protection... ) but I wondered if the tiredness is correlating with the breast milk production (only one breast, no history of breast cancer in my family and it seems milk comes out from not just one area).

Has anyone else experienced this? I am also now wearing sports bras so he can't even get close, slightly horrified by it all!

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I was lactating despite not bf DS for months. Went to the GP and had blood tests, turns out my prolactin levels were sky high and I had an under active thyroid and a vitamin D deficiency which explained the tiredness. I also have a prolactinona, and am now on medication for everything and under an endocrinology team.

It's worth seeing your GP. Oh I didn't have periods either as high prolactin interferes with this and was told not to take the pill so they could see when I was menstruating naturally.

[mawinter]

High Prolactin Levels. I too had this like Pobblewhohasnotoes. It causes the exact issues you mention.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

OP?

[takingawhile]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your posts. I went to see the GP on Friday and she had a look and feel of my breasts to check all was ok, obviously they are lumpy and bumpy and she could feel they have milk. She has arranged a blood test - but I couldn't get in for the blood test until two week's time.

Interestingly a friend also asked if I may have low thyroid, I had it tested a year after my son's birth and they told me it was fine then.

Apologies for not replying sooner- I acted on your responses, and was so glad you posted!

Will keep you posted... although I just want to know the cause. The gp said sometimes people's hormones go "mad" for no reason.

I did wonder if it was because my little one had been poorly and came in the bed at night a few times... we shall see!


Pobblewhohastoes (love the name by the way, brings back memories of a poem) and mawinter do you both feel better now? What medication did they give you ? did it have side effects? Are you on it "forever" did they give reasons for cause?

Sorry so many questions, and thanks again. Just sorry I didn't get back sooner.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

Do you know what they are testing for? They should be seeing if your prolactin levels are high.

I'm on medication for my thyroid and the prolactinoma. I had to have an MRI to diagnose it as it's a pituitary tumour (benign though). So I have medication to stop it growing and I see the endocrine team.

Yes I'm on it forever. No reason for it, sometimes having a baby can cause thyroid issues. There is a thing called post partum thyroiditis. Thyroid problems can run in families too.

I didn't lose any baby weight until I was on medication. My periods didn't return until I was on the prolactinoma meds. I think I'm less tired too although I'm pregnant again so I'm back to being tired! I'm also a high risk pregnant because of it all, even though I'm actually healthy..

I wouldn't say it affects my life, although remembering to take medication every day is a pain in the arse! And with thyroid meds you have to take it at the same time each morning and not eat for a while afterwards. That's it really.

I'd be interested to know how you get on . I'm surprised they can't take your bloods for two weeks. Can you say they're not just routine but important diagnostic tests?

[takingawhile]

Hi pobblewithtoes,

Congratulations!

I'm sorry to hear you have had problems, I can't scroll up bit I was just wondering how long you have been on Meds, I can imagine anything that involves hormones takes a long time to adjust . Oh I would find taking Meds a pain but to be honest if I could find a cure to the tiredness I would be happy. My dad's sister has hypothyroidism but she is the only relative I know of that has it. As I said they test my thyroid when my lo was about one and it was fine then.

It sounds bizarre but I almost want there to be a problem because so moody and tired, but then just the hormones from producing milk must be making me feel odd.

A bit random pobble avec toes, but did you have dry lips? It probably has nothing to do with it and sounds a bit cosmetic but my lips are painfully dry, they have been splitting despite hydrocortisone prescribed by the docs. I don't know if it's related at all. My face literally cracks if I try to smile!

You've made me feel more assertive about phoning docs back- I couldn't believe it was two weeks for an appointment for a blood test. Nhs afraid... Busy busy but I might use the line "but this is a diagnostic test" :-)

[takingawhile]

Hi guys,
I haven't had the results yet, however I received a letter through the post requesting me to go for a second set of blood tests. They have either lost the first lot or, I'm presuming something was borderline (?) or this is standard procedure?

I didn't get the letter until late this evening. Did you have to go for second sets of bloods?

Many thanks