female question- Guys, go ahead and read, as we all know you will...

[Gnusgal]

Alright, I probably should have asked this question LONG ago, but I didn't think much of it. Shortly after my VR (over a year ago) a strange thing started happening. I started lactating. Now keep in mind, I've never had children. So out of the blue I start lactating (not a lot, and it's not like anything comes out unless I "express" it). I called my gyno at the time and they said that it was probably due to the trauma of surgery, and it should go away in a few months. Well, it's been over a year, and it hasn't gone away. Some days there is more there than others, but most recently my breasts have become extreemly sore and somewhat swollen. There is less "milk" there than before, but the tenderness has me a little concerned. I have since changed gyno docs, and have never mentioned the lactation to the new doc because there were more pressing matters (like my cysts). I have another appt. with her on Oct. 14th, and figure I should be sure to mention it then, but my question is, do you think this might warrant a call sooner than my appt? I do not think there is any chance that the tenderness is caused by a pregnancy, as they began their tenderness while I was having my "monthly." My husband, who is taking Anatomy and Physiology at the moment loves to try to come up with his own diagnosis, and claims problems with the pituitary gland could cause these symptoms. I seriously doubt that there is anything wrong with my pituitary gland. I figure it is mostly because of the changing of my birth control so many times this year (due to the cysts), and a strange hormonaly reaction or something. What do you all think? Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

Anyway, sorry for rambling so much.

 

[Ross]

Well of course I'd read this thread, what else would you expect from me?

Niki do say something to the new Doc about it. This far out after surgery and it's still happening is not at all normal. I'm thinking it's a combination of things. None the less, open your mouth while your at the appointment.

 

[Gnusgal]

Ross, I knew you would be the first to reply! The second half of that subject line was meant just for you. And I will be sure to mention it at my appt. I just wasn't sure if I should put a call in sooner.

Thanks!

 

[Ross]

I really don't think it would hurt to call sooner, but I don't think they'll see it as an emergent thing that can't wait until the appointment. I think you know what I mean anyway.

 

[Gnusgal]

I was kinda figuring that if it has gone on this long and I haven't had a major problem, a few more weeks probably wouldn't produce a big problem either. Just wanted other opinions on it. I'm also wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, as it is very unusual. So, Ross, any lactating going on over there?

 

[Ross]

Nope, it's a calm household for now thank you.

 

[Creed3]

Hi Niki,
Something very similar happened to me after surgery. Grant it, I was 7 months postpartum, when I had my surgery, but I also started lactating again, alot. I remember when I was in the hospital, one of the nurses told me that because my entire system was technically shut down, that things would occur that would make me feel like I was pregnant etc...The reason being that your entire body had to reboot, including your hormones. I lactated for a very very long time after my surgery, eventhough I hadn't breast fed in 6 months. Eventually it did slow up and stop. A few weeks ago, it felt like I was lactating again, slightly. My breasts are sometimes a little tender during that time of the month. It sounds like you are describing your breasts as being extremely tender and swollen. I think it would definately be something you should mention to your doctor. It is always better to be on the safe side. I never mentioned it to my doc because the nurse had told me to be prepared for a lot of strange things regarding hormones. My breasts never seemed to get quite as tender or swollen as yours sound. Hormones contribute to the function of your body, so it seems possible to me that they could be out of whack somewhat, especially if you are changing around your birth control methods. Oh, I also remember after I had my first child, that eventhough I didn't breast feed anymore, that I lactated on and off for quite a long time. I believe it was over a year and a half later or possibly longer. My gyn told me that that was normal. After your body went through surgery, it makes sense to me to think that your body's hormones rebooted and could have actually created effects similar to pregnancy. This is just my opinion, but I definately think that you should mention this to your doc. There could be something else going on as well.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[nadi]

I personally think you should call your Dr. The swelling and tenderness could be nothing or it could mastitis or infection. I would rather err on the side of caution.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Niki-

You should definitely call the doctor. Any time there is something unexplained going on, it's important to get answers. Your doctor has to get to the bottom of it. Do you have ovarian cysts? Maybe they're throwing off some hormones. But don't guess at it, check it out.

Take care,

 

[hensylee]

Niki, our female bodies are strange and wonderful things, as I am sure the guys will agree. It has been known for a woman to take a child some yrs after raising her own, and produce milk again. And since you are using birth control pills, your hormones have been knocked about a bit. It probably is a combination of reasons that your doctor will have to figure out - but I would sure let her know at the first appointment you have. Sooner if you have further problems that alarm you.

 

[Georgia]

A 13-year breast cancer survivor speaks

A 13-year breast cancer survivor speaks

Go to the doctor. It can rarely be serious; and why worry? Please don't mess around with this. I was one of the unlucky ones; I had a minor problem with this, and had one lump in my life; and shot craps. It's another issue you want to take care of; if it's nothing then it's nothing; if it's an infection you can take care of it; if it's worse, you can also take care of it, and the earlier the better.

 

[Sunshine susan]

It may not be a "female" problem......

It may not be a "female" problem......

I think it would be a good idea for you to talk to your doctor. My neighbor was a college senior and had been having similar symptoms for about a year or so--lactating, swollen breasts, very similar. It was discovered that she had a non-malignant brain tumor that was causing the problem due to its location. It was inoperable also due to location, and she has been 3-4 years having it shrunk with radiation, etc. Not an easy time for her or her family, but she just started law school this year and is still living at home and doing fine now. Better to be safe than sorry. Hers would have turned malignant in time. Do get it checked out and make sure they look beyond the obvious female issues. Her parents had to almost get nasty with her doctors to get to the bottom of the problem. Good luck--Susan

 

[Gail in Ca]

Open heart surgery really messes with our hormones, and I don't know why. Periods start right after surgery when not expected, and then are very heavy and/or come too soon for ever after.
This happened to me when I was 34 as well as when I was 46.
I find this very annoying that the docs don't even mention this to us before surgery so we could at least be prepared.
Gail

 

[Aunt Granny]

I just have to ask - I never dreamed about heart surgery rebooting your hormones. I am going through menapause and since I have been reading this site it is beginning to scary me. I like not having a cycle. To me one of the WORST things that could happen during heart surgery would be to start things ALL over again. Lactating I can handle - CYClE - I would rather take a beating. I have never had any children either, but I just don't want to face anymore cycles. PLEASE TELL ME IT ISNT SO!!!!!

 

[LoraW30]

I have to agree with the hormones getting messed up. Before my last surgery three years ago, I was worried I would be on my period the week of. Well, as luck would have it I had it the week before. Once at the hospital, I was asked when my last period was and I told them I just finished up. I went into surgery the next morning and when I woke up in ICU (still intubated), the nurses told me I started my period again. I was on this period for TWO weeks, the whole time I was in ICU. So, I ended up having a three week period for that month. It was miserable. (I'm glad it didn't cause me to lactate. That would've been hard to explain as I have never had children. )

 

[Christina L]

birth control pills

birth control pills

Should a premenopausal woman about to undergo valve surgery start on birth control pills?? Would that help get through the pre and postop time without having a period???

I am also worried about an ovarian cyst rupture if I am on Coumadin afterward.

Any help with these questions would be most appreciated.

Chris

 

[nadi]

Hi all,

I have also had trouble since surgery. Prior my monthlies had been sporadic and very light. Now very heavy and very long. I just returned form a day of test at the hospital, one was ultra sounds (both styles) and it does not look good. Was told there is both cystic and solid masses. I have to wait until next week to get the final results. BOOHOO But to get to the point.. How bad is it to have surgery once on coumadin? Also could the MVR have
exacerbated to problems?

I feel like I an falling apart!

 

[Gnusgal]

For those of you who weren't around in January/February, I also had probs with cysts. After my valve surgery the on call gyno changed my birth control, because they wanted to lower the risk of clots. Well, they put me on a progesterone only pill and apparently that can sometimes mean you will still ovulate. I must have, because I developed cysts that would bother me about a week before my period. Only, I didn't realize this was what was going on. It happened three different months before I made a connection to WHEN it was happening. And when I finally made the connection, the cyst ruptured! In a "normal" person this isn't too big a deal, because usually the cyst just stops bleeding and the blood is absorbed back into the body. Mine didn't stop bleeding. Even after being given plazma, I didn't stop bleeding, so they rushed me to OR and stopped the bleeding, along with sucking 2 liters worth of blood from my belly and giving me 4 units of blood in a transfusion. I am now on birth control that has estrogen in it, to prevent any more ovulation, as I am told this is when cysts form. I haven't had any problems with cysts since (other things, but not cysts). So if you are prone to cysts, be sure you take measures to prevent something like this from happening before you end up on coumadin. You do not want internal bleeding when you are on a blood thinner.

I hope I didn't scare anyone too badly, I just want you to be aware of some of the risks involved.

 

[Christina L]

So?

So?

So, do you think I should be put on the BCP before my surgery and for a few months after to stop ovulation?? I am not currently on the BCP.

I have never had a problem "yet" with ovarian cysts - I am 44 years of age.

What BCP is best to use when taking Coumadin??

P.S. Sorry to hear about your woes with the cysts and all - glad it was taken care of - you are meant to warn others now, I guess.

Thanks so much!
Chris

 

[Gnusgal]

Well, I imagine if you aren't currently on BCP and haven't had probs with cysts, you probably won't. But I could be totally wrong there. I'd been on BCP with estrogen in them for 6 years prior to being switched, so I don't know if I would have gotten them without my BCP regardless of the VR or not. You might want to talk with your card and gyn about it though. If you do end up on BCP, I would suggest a low-dose estrogen pill. This way it prevents ovulation, but also keeps the risk of blood clots pretty low. Although, if you're going on coumadin, that's kind of a moot point. Anyway, I'm no expert, I can just share my own experience.