Breasts too full of milk

[Theodoreb]

I take a medication which makes me lactate. My boobs are always painful and hard but today they even worse than usual they stretching the skin if I go and express so you think I'll make more milk tomorrow because my body will think I'm using the milk? Or can I express for some relief?

I don't know, but I remember that engorged feeling and I would have to express! It is unendurable.

Although, now I'm thinking about it, if a baby only feeds a little and doesn't empty the available milk then your supply will lessen. So surely expressing a little to take the edge off won't lead to more milk later.

Disclaimer - I am in no way a professional who should have an opinion on this.

Thank you for your reply I'm thinking I'm going to have to express as can't stand this no more so gonna run a hot bath and try to get some out it always leaks out on its own when I have my period but that's not due for another four days and just can't stick this no more.

I'd just express slightly by hand for comfort and to avoid blocked ducts/mastitis. If you only remove a little milk, it should be OK. If it's Domperidone or similar then how much you have will be pretty much at the mercy of that anyway so do what you need to be comfortable at this point.

Have you got a baby who is breast feeding or is it only the medication
Are you taking domperidone? What is making you lactate
Is there an alternative?

I don't have a baby it's olanzapine a anti psychotic medication and while there are alternative medication my psychiatrist and myself really don't want to swap as I react so well to this and when I swapped previously ended up severely bad for a year and then achieved stability again by returning to olanzapine.

Don't want to mess around as I am on my own and have no support for if I become unwell. I have 3dc with sn so need a clear head.

You can get medication to surpress milk production can you ask for that

You can also get Hakkas from amazon get two so you can do both boobs at the same time
It take the milk you've been storing in boobs out into it
It won't stimulate the boobs as such so might be a good idea

Have you tried clozapine .. I don't know much about them but olanzapine is pretty old school

I think if it's drug induced milk then likely taking the milk out won't make you produce more

I'm sorry you're struggling xxx

@cultkid I wouldn't mind trying clozapine that is the medication we have decided will be used if I build up resistance to olanzapine. I'll ask about meds to dry up milk as I would prefer that to switching. And for now I'll just ease a little out enough that it's not so bad.

Have you had your prolactin levels done OP?

Prolactin levels?

Yes ask for a medication to stop the milk instead of mucking around the anti depressants as clozapine does need a shit tonne of maintenance titrations and liver function is damage sometimes too

So sorry you are suffering
Get as much out as you can and call the GP tomo for an urgent appointment

It can turn into mastitis which would be horrific xx

It's a hormone.. producing milk can be a sign of it being much too high. (Antipsychotics can do this). Please ask your GP to check your bloods.

@cultkid yes I know clozapine is hard to tolerate, thank you for advice I'll go see go in morning see what can be done.

Thank you for all replies I'll see if anything can be done in morning.

I second Wonkydonk87's suggestion to get your prolactin levels checked. Raised prolactin levels can cause other problems such as osteoporosis longer term.

There are other medications that can be prescribed alongside Olanzapine that may help lower prolactin levels if they are too high so you definitely need to find out and then discuss with your psychiatrist and GP.

When I was giving up breastfeeding I took ibuprofen, Sudafed and sage tea. Seemed to help but probably no good as a long term solution, just something to take the edge off til you can get your meds reviewed.

Will ask for bloods done but I have them done regularly anyway because of my medication cocktail, only had them done two weeks ago but don't think they test for prolactin levels. So will request a further test thanks all.

Try putting Savoy cabbage leaves in your bra. Can help with the engorgement.

I’ve heard sage tea and decongestants (like sudafed) are supposed to help reduce milk production

Hand expressing to release the pressure and cold cabbage leaves should help to dry it up

I stopped breast feeding over night after doing it exclusively for a year with a very good supply and that full feeling is unbearable, I would pump enough to deflate them but not empty them and that really helped doing it slowly, they didnt keep filling up either.

Can't take Sudafed or ibuprofen as on strong pain killers right now owing to a car crash but will get some cabbage leaves thank you I know it will be over in 4 days when af shows her face so won't be much longer.

Try cabbage leaves in the bath! The heat will make more of the cabbagy chemical to come out, heat will be pain relief and the milk is a skin treatment. Hth

If you are on an antipsychotic that's working well, I wouldn't mess about with it either. It's a good idea to ask about meds to dry up the milk. I hope you have managed to get some put and are a bit more comfy!

I have managed to express some out and even though it's only a small amount I'm much more comfy especially as I'm able to wear a bra now. Will go to the doctors if I can get a appointment.

I'm glad things are a bit better - sounds like a plan. Engorged breasts are bloody awful!