HI I'm old and new... my story... high prolactin... vent...

[fowlwoman]

I was hooked on this site when my son was 1-3 years old. Now he's almost 6 and I'm back! I've really been wanting to conceive for 4 years. I breastfed my son until he was 4 years and a couple months old. I didn't have my period after he was born until he was almost 4 years old. I went off of birth control when he was 15 months old. I saw a doctor THE DAY BEFORE my period started again for an annual exam that was several years overdue. (I wondered if he unplugged me!) I expressed my concern to my DR about no periods and he said that since I was still nursing, there was no good reason to investigate further, basically. Then my periods started and I weaned my son and he reassured me that I would probably get pregnant within a year and that if I didn't, I should come back. My prolactin level was 64. Of course I didn't get pregnant and a year later I came back and my prolactin was 2 points higher. I had a period every 2-3 months or so during that time. So, I've been seeing Drs frequently for about 6 months. I saw a doctor who prescribed bromocriptine and it has worked to get my cycles going, but I was having really bad mood problems on it, so I"m going to see her again this friday to see what we should do next. I would rather just adopt, but hubby has a big problem with our lives being analyzed with a microscope. I want more kids quite badly, and he doesn't feel as strongly as I do. He doesn't get that tick-tock of the bio clock I think. I'm almost 30 and I feel like I have only 5 more fertile years left. I wanted LOTS of kids. We have a huge house now, we have a stable marriage. I've seen 2 young friends of mine have unexpected babies out of wedlock, and another in the same situation is now pregnant. My sister in law has had 2 babies since we started trying. I know another gal who has had 3. My heart is aching! I am usually fine about all this, but I'm having a hard moment. thanks for listening.

[Macabe]

I'm sorry, it really does sound like you're hurting. :hug:
I'm no expert, but I definitely think that the moderately high prolactin level could be affecting your fertility, both your ability to ovulate and your ability to have normal-length cycles so you know when to time getting pg.

I came accross this site when I was investigating my own fertility issues:
http://www.pituitary.org/disorders/prolactinomas.aspx
It's very readable and designed for the lay man, not the medical practitioner. But it might give you some ideas about what to ask about next.

For instance, it says high prolactin can be caused by many things, such as:
* pregnancy or in the post-partum period
* stress (discomfort, exercise, low blood sugar)
* low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
* kidney failure
* liver failure
* medications (such as anti-ulcer and antidepressants)
* "stalk effect"--a side effect of other pituitary issues, especially wrt dopamine
* pituitary tumors

So, for instance, maybe you need to get your thyroid levels checked, or maybe you're on an antidepressant and you're experiencing one of the more uncommon side effects.

I hope you get some answers.

[Elizabethdaisy]

I am so sorry.

[caileighs_mom]

welcome back! I'm sorry you are having trouble conceiving. I think that at this point you should request to see a specialist for a workup to see what is going on especially since you have been trying for 2 years. I know about the desire for more - take heart though - 30 is so young! You have at least 10 more fertile years ahead of you!

[fowlwoman]

I was taking an antidepressant and had JUST weaned off of it(that took 3 months) before taking the bromocriptine and yes, my prolactin level went down about 10 points after just going off the antidepressant. My thyroid is fine. I've had several blood tests done, I had a CT scan, then an MRI, which showed a microadenoma (about 2mm) on my pituitary gland. I've been off the bromocriptine for only 4 days, but I already feel normal mood-wise. I was really having trouble and getting depressed. I started out on one pill daily(I was often teary and emotional, but not depressed), then my prolactin was only down to about 34, so my endo had me increase to 2 pills. That's when my trouble began and I was being crabby all the time and couldn't pull out of it.

[Macabe]

Have you had your PRL tested since you went off both the antidepressant and the bromocriptine?

[kohlby]

Welcome! I also would much rather adopt but I can't talk my DH into it - and it's not the thing you force someone into! (I can get pg, but am currently experiencing my 5th miscarriage. Plus, I get hyperemesis when I get pg, even if I miscarry. I'll be 35 in a few months so want to hurrt up). My prolactin level was a little high the first time it was tested, but fine the second time. Though in my case, I'm sure it was due to nursing, though the RE was checking for other disorders as well. I don't know enough about prolactin to give any advice other than to wish to luck!

[OJosMom]

I'm sorry to hijak, but Kohlby! Ugh, I'm so sorry to see you are miscarring. :hug: