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Hi friends! I am 30 years old and have one child. In August 2004, I went off the birth control patch so my husband and I could try to concieve again. Six months went by and I never started my period and my breasts were very tender. I was also producing small amounts of breast milk and I would notice tingling in my nipples if I bent over or with manipulation. It kind of felt like the "milk letdown" sensation when you breast feed. After six months, I finally had my prolactin level checked and it was at 73. My OB ordered an MRI which revealed a prolactinoma. The tumor is a microadenoma (less than 1 cm). My doctor assured me it was benign and started me on bromocriptine. I titrated my doses on my own. I first took 1/4th of a tab at night for 2 nights, then 1/4th of a tab in the am and pm, and eventually got up to 1/2 a tab in the am and pm. The only side effects I noticed was nausea if I took the med on an empty stomach and some dizziness. I also saw an endocrinologist. He ordered all kinds of labs to make sure the tumor wasn't effecting any other hormones. All of my other labs came back normal. After taking bromocriptine for 1 month, my prolactin level came down to 19, my sex drive was returned to normal, my breast tenderness went away, and I started my period. My endocrinologist at that time took me off of the bromocriptine for one month and my level returned to 69. I am going to start Dostinex because of the easier dosing schedule and claims of lower side effects. My concern is that I want to get pregnant. My doctor told me that I would stop the medicine as soon as I get pregnant, but what happens if my prolactin level goes haywire during the pregnancy? I understand my prolactin level will increase, but at what point is it dangerous? Are people with high prolactin level more prone to miscarrage? It is also my understanding that there are no studies in humans to show if taking Dostinex or Bromocriptine during pregnancy affects the fetus. Does anybody have any info to share?

Ive just had a test done my levels are 317.3 im guessing thats way bad

Tiffany- It was great to read your story since mine is so similar.I am a little behind you in the events since I have only bee on Bromocriptine for 2 weeks and am taking a full pill in the am and one in the om with meals. I have had some nausea and constipation but not unbearable. My doc told me that there is a highre incience of miscarriage in a woman with high prolactin and that breast feeding may not be an option (I'm not sure what it depends on). I was tested 3 weeks ago and had 107 prolactin level and a microadenoma from a pituitary mri. I also want to get pregnant asap. Personally, if I were you and since you had such a good result with the bromocriptine, I would stay on it until you get pregnant. You may want to go on the dostinex after your pregnancy. From this site it seems like everyone handles the meds differently. Although Dostinex is clearly the drug women prefer, my thoughts are if the bromo is working to regulate you I would stik with it. Especially since going off it raised your prolactin level again. I hope this is helpful and I know it has all been sort of a scary process.

i had the results for my progestron its 22 is that bad ? does any1 know whts the normal level on 21 days?

Rachael: Thanks for the response. It has been a very scary process and I am even a registered nurse! Funny thing is that I had never even heard of a prolactinoma before. I am a cardiology RN though! Are you seeing an infertility specialist or just a regular OB? Did he make any mention of what he would do if your prolactin level gets too high during pregnancy? My endocrinologist said that if the level got over 300, I would have to go back on Bromocriptine or Dostinex during pregnancy. This really worries me since there have not been studies on the drugs' effects on human fetuses. Also, did your doctor tell you at what point the miscarrages usually occur (like what trimester?) Any moms our there with similar experiences and hopefully good outcomes?

Hi,
I'm 31, I had my previous pregnancy spontanious and fast, I stopped breastfeeding 9 months ago and thoguht that the fact I still have milk is related to that, after finishing taking my contraceptive pills I saw that I'm not getting period and that even progestrone doens't affect.
Then my prolcatin levels were tested and found to be on the 37-39 levels. the MRI was normal. My doctor put my on Parladole, does anyone knows what the difference between this and the dositnex that everyone mention here?
Are you being taken care of by endocrinologist or Gyn?
Where do I get the progesteone cream that you mentioned here?

Irit, I don't know about the rest of you questions, but you can get progesterone cream at early-pregnancy-test.com. Product list to the left.

Tiffany-
I am seeing an OB not an endocrinologist. He said that miscarriage is a possibility with high prolactin but even with all women there is a risk of miscarriage. I didnt ask anything else about it since I am still just trying to get my level down and my regular cycle back (I havent had a period in 4 months). I actualy just went off the bromocriptine (parlodel) 2 days ago since the symptoms of nausea and constipation were getting too much. He told me to go off it for a couple of days and switch to dostinex. I really wanted the parlodel to work since I was already on it for 2 weeks and dont want to start from the beginning but I couldnt tolerate the side effects. From what Ive read on here , I am hoping the Dostinex works better. Once I get a period and start ovulating I also plan to get the progesterone cream. I really want to get pregnant and am focused on that. I dont know much about what happens after getting pregnant, sorry.

Hi Rachael! What dose of Bromo did your DR start you on? I titrated myself starting on only 1/4th of a tab at night for a few nights, then 1/4 day and night, and finally up to 1/2 am and pm. I think starting out very slowly really helped me out. The main side effect that I had was dizziness but it wasn't too bad. Don't get discouraged! Let me know how the Dostinex works. I am still trying to decide to go back on Bromocriptine or Dostinex. I have two more days to ponder!

Irit: If you go to http://www.dostinex.com/
you will find some interesting studies comparing Dostinex and Bromocriptine. Good Luck!

Thanks Tiffany-

My doc told me to start on 1 full pill at night for a week and then go to one at night and one in the am (both after eating). I was ok the first week but got progressively worse with nausea and dizziness the 2nd week until I really felt like I had to throw up all the time. Maybe titrating slowly would have been a good idea. I just had another doc tell me that I could stay on bromo and insert it vaginally (if you can believe it). It absorbs very quickly and apparently has less side effects. I am going to try the dostinex though since it is supposed to have much less side effects. My husband is an MD (GP) and he never heard of all this either.

HI, I was told in January 2005, that I have a tumor (Microadenoma) was put on Bromocriptin it worked. I am now on Dostinex started it on june 17th. I have had my cycle for the last two months. I am so happy this is great. I am looking to get pregant by September so that my little girl will be born next summer. I pray that every one on this site that wants to have a baby will get on. As I am looking to also get one. I did not do good on the Bromocriptin at first It made me sick. But I kept on taking it and now it does not bother me. I am taking both Dostinex and Bromocriptin. And check this out my last cycle lasted 5 Days!!! how about that. and yesterday was day 10 so who knows I may get MY LITTLE GIRL this month.

Why are you convinced it's going to be a GIRL?? Are you looking at those Chinese Lunar calander that predicts gender too?? lol (My says GIRL for July and September - January) hehehe

Just want to say how reassuring it is to hear everyone's experiences. Amber, Rachel, just want to say thank you, you guys are currently my biggest support group. I haven't told my family (parents etc because I know they'll freak out. My husband knows and its hard enough trying to tell him I'm ok when i feel like crap. Two Sundays ago, I passed out but was told that I was dehydrated and had a UTI (just to add to everything else) I continue to feel dizzy, tired, tingling in my head.and noticed that my heart is racing. I have been conerned that it may have to do with bromo so I called my endocronologist and explained to him how i was feeling to which he responded, "You're ok continue another week and let's see". Let me know what side effects you've had. I know your not doctors but your personal advice means alot more. Amber, good luck and please keep me posted on ttc. Bridgette, I was wondering how you knew it was a girl too :-) !!!

Hi Nicky, I am so happy that our postings are helping you...and you guys all need to know that you all are a major support to me too. I check this forum a million times a day just to see what ya'll write. It's comforting to know that there are others out there with simular problems and that not everyone just thinks about having a baby and BANG they are pregnant. It's so frustrating! You guys keep me sane!! ;) Sooooo Nicky.......I am not a doctor but I would not continue on those drugs if they are making you feel that way!!!!! That can't be healthy...you know your body best and if you don't feel like yourself than you need to be persistant with your doctor and tell him that you don't want to feel that way any longer. There is really no need. Like you, I did not ever feel great on Bromocriptine...I had an upset stomach, dizzy, headaches and alway tired. I know what you are going through. I stopped taking them all together until I went back to the doctor and that's when he put me on Dostinex and I feel 100% better! And as a bonus I only take it 2 times a week!! :)) I am a little forgetful so this works great! You could always suggest switching meds to your doctor...the worse thing he could say is no. Hang in there, buddy....this is all going to work out for all of us soon!!!

Amber and Nicky- I agree with you that this has been a great source of support for me too. I really would have felt alone in this if it weren't for reading what you are all going through. I went off the bromo 2 days ago when I felt very nauseus all the time and dizzy. It was upsetting because I started to slow down the amount of breast milk discharge I've had and I really want to become regular again but I just couldn't take the side effects. I woke up gagging in the middle of th night and have just started on dostinex tonight. Amber- have you heard of anyone on dostinex become pregnant? The people who wrote on here that they were succesful I think were all on bromo? So you are trying to get pregnant too? I'm 37 and thankfully my husband has been very supportive. I can't believe you were on bromo for 2 years!!