Archive - ERP

Archive - ERP: "Treasury"

Drugs, I got 'em. But do I need 'em?

As mentioned earlier, I have been perscribed Dostinex to take down the prolactin. This will make my cycles more regular, encourage ovualtion and help ensure I have the proper estrogen and progesterone levels at the right times.

But do I need it?

In the last nine months, I have had three, shall we say, "spotting" episodes. The first was in October, and was a day and a half. Hardly what one would call a "period", but after going so long with nothing I was glad to see it. The second was in November, and was a full five days. Finally, I thought, Aunt Flow was back to stay! But then December came along, at a measely two and a half days. Now January, and still nothing. I am on cycle day 37. There is still hope that I am late and that my periods have not abandoned me again.

But if I am just late, and a do get an nice full period, and then go on to have a regular cycle... well there is the chance right? The chance that it would work?

Anyway, I am going to try to see what my body will do before going on the heavies. Maybe I will be surprised.

To Drug or Not to Drug

The drug Dostinex has been prescribed for my condition. I thought I should do a bit of research before jumping in. So here it is folks, straight from the drug manufacturer:

"If you become pregnant during treatment, you should stop taking Dostinex as soon as pregnancy is confirmed".

Okay well that makes sense. You want your body to start getting ready for breast feeding part right? I read on.

"If you wish to become pregnant, you should stop taking Dostinex one month before you try to become pregnant. You may need to have regular pregnancy tests and smear tests while you receive treatment."

What???

Well I am no doctor, but that does not sound good. It sounds like it could be, how should I put this, HARMFUL to the baby. So harmful, I should be stocking up on pregnancy tests to make sure that I am not pregnant. They even go as far as to say that you may need to take a pregnancy test before you take your first pill.

The good news is that there is an alternative drug, Bromocriptine. It has been around for 30 years, and has gone through the rigor of long term testing. Therefore, in the game of risks... you got it, less risky.

So why have I been prescribed Dostinex? I suppose it is newer, has fewer side effects. These are good reasons. But what about the large, nagging concern about not taking it while you are trying to get pregnant, as recommended by the drug manufacturer?

Time to call the nurse again. They are going to love me by the time this is over.

Breast Milk Anyone?

Because I have it. That's right. Leaky boobies.

Sadly, there is no baby to show for it.

One fun thing about having a high level of prolactin, is that your body thinks it is breastfeeding. Prolactin is the very hormone that kicks up the whole breast milk production system. So I am all geared up and ready to feed the babies.

Except there are no babies. Not even one baby. Not even a pregancy.

The medical term for this condition is "galactorrhea".

The funny thing is that I thought it was normal. That all girls walk around, able to express milk from the nip. "Well we are women aren't we?" I thought. "The breasts are full of mammary glands aren't they? Why wouldn't they be able to produce milk?"

This is where having an open and honest talk with my girlfriends would have really paid off. I would have learned, eight years ago, that leaky boobs were not really that normal at all.

And that would have saved me a lot of time. Back then, when I had all the time in the world.

Tears at Work

This is the worst. Eyes red, nose running. Face all scruntched up, trying to hold it off. The mad dash to the washroom. I know that if caught, mascara will tell all.

So today I called my family doctor, to see where my prolactin levels were at. The receptionist would not give me the level over the phone.

"Sorry dear, I can just tell you that it is normal."

"Normal?"

"Yes it is normal dear, so you don't have anything to worry about."

"N-nothing to worry about?" You mean the two periods over nine months is nothing to worry about? You mean the fact that I do not ovulate is nothing to worry about? How about this one - you mean the fact that I have a tumor IN MY BRAIN is nothing to worry about?

So I said, in my open cubicle at work, for all to hear "I had an MRI last week, where they found a prolactin secreting microandenoma on my pituitary gland. I am pretty sure my prolactin is not normal."

"Well, you will have to speak to the nurse then."

Fine.

So the good news is that my prolactin has gone down to 28.6 from 40.2. Normal is anything under 20. So although improving, I am not normal, and do not have regular periods. And I do have the oh-so-fun related symptom of galactorrhea.

So next step. I call the OB/GYN to see if they are going to refer me to an endocrinologist, a hormone doctor. She told me before the MRI that they would, if they found anything lurking on my pituitary gland, which they did.

No such luck. She told me that since my levels are close to "normal" (gee... there is that word again), and since there is a one to two year waiting period for an endo, I would not be referred. Great. Good thing I was not dying or anything.

She also told me that, at I can just go ahead and start trying to get pregnant!

Oh can I?

First that would mean an egg was present, which would be evident by a monthly period, which I in fact, do not have.

Since I made such a fuss, the doctor told me I can go on Dostinex if I want. If I want. Since I am the one with the medical degree. No mention of dosage. No mention of side effects. No mention of the other drug, Bromocriptine, which has been around longer, has had more testing and therefore may be safer while trying to conceive.

Am I falling through the cracks in this healthcare system of ours?

Mark was very supportive. He listened as I cried over the phone. He told me that if the healthcare system had a nose, he would punch it on my behalf.

God I love that man.

Perspective

Perspective.

That is what we all need. Things could be worse. Others have it worse. Countless others. Way, way worse.

So why do I feel so sorry for myself?

Let me start at the begining.

I have been diagnosed with a tumor on my pituitary gland. A small tumor, "microscopic" as the nurse says. But large enough to reak havoc on my female hormonal system. The pituitary gland, located in the brain (straight between the eyes, and back) is the "master gland". It controls the other hormonal glands, including the ovaries. Mine, is out of control. This leads my ovaries to a state of confusion, which lead me to a state of distress.

This is an attempt to tell my story, in the hopes of someday getting pregnant, and having a baby.

The Baby Ride