Feeling Like Death Warmed Up: Is This Because Of EP?

[PippityChippity]

I’ve been EP for my LO who is now 11 weeks old for the past 7 weeks as breastfeeding just wasn’t working (Hungry, huge - 91st centile - baby who was getting very angry at his milk not coming fast enough). I am an oversupplier and have been making plenty to feed him and managing well with 5-6 pumps per day using a double Elvie pump.

However, over the last 4-5 days, I’ve been feeling horrific: Horrendously tired to the point where I’m struggling to manage my LO while my husband is at work during the day, dizzy spells, general fatigue and feeling very “Out of it”. I’ve made a conscious effort to ensure that I’m drinking enough (2-3 litres a day) and I eat 3 meals, plus snacks as I seem to be constantly starving but I’m interested to know if anyone else felt like this? My husband thinks it’s because I’m using up so much in the way of nutrients pumping and the fact that I’m oversupplying quite significantly (That’s another topic in itself though). I’ve even been for a PCR test just in case which was negative.

I’m just curious to see if anyone else has had this problem? I feel so exhausted, I’m wondering how I’m going to get through the days at the moment I feel so tired! LO is a good sleeper and generally sleeps from 2230 until about 0300 roughly then wakes for a feed and will then wake around 0630-0700. Any thoughts gratefully received

Also checked blood pressure this evening which was quite low: 89/58.

That's not a normal side effect of lactation, no. Mastitis could make you feel like that but I'd expect you to have other symptoms (worth looking those up just in case, you're possibly a little more susceptible to it whilst pumping that directly breastfeeding - that's just my own assumption based on the efficiency of pumps so I could be wrong!). Might also be worth taking a multivitamin with iron.

That blood pressure is just about classed as low. If it stays that way or it's particularly low for you I'd be seeking medical advice.

Thank you! Just looked at the other symptoms of Mastitis and have none of those so the jury is out on that one!

Blood pressure is definitely lower than normal for me so will contact the doctor tomorrow for an appointment.

As well as getting your blood pressure checked I’d ask them to check your iron levels too. Hope you feel better soon!

Has anyone that you’ve been in contact with developed similar symptoms?

Add a multi vitamin with Iron and extra vit D if I were you.

Thanks all! Have a Dr appointment this afternoon so will ask about vits and minerals then, particularly iron.

@seaborgium Nope, I’ve barely been in contact with anyone and those who I have seen have none of these symptoms. Tbh, I thought it was Covid before the negative PCR. Husband and me are triple jabbed and he is symptom free.