ebf, pituitary tumor, extreme hair loss

[E m i c h i e e]

I was not sure where to put this...:/

I have been ebf (no pumping) since birth and have been losing crazy amounts of hair for about a month. I am starting to have bald spots and I am afraid it is not just normal post partum hair loss. It might be worse for me since I have a pituitary tumor that has caused me a lot of hair loss 2 years ago and stopped when I was put on "cabergoline".

However I stopped taking it towards the end of my pregnancy because I did not want it to interfere with nursing. It did not seem to cause me to lose my hair, the hair loss started months after getting off cabergoline and is most likely just my hormones crashing down.

I don't know what to do. I am wondering if cabergoline would be safe for nursing, or if there would be other methods of helping my hormone levels adjust. I know menopause supplements or the pill (estrogen) can help from experience but nothing is safe for nursing it seems. 

I was planning to breastfeed for about 2-3yrs. but am worried about keeping my prolactin levels elevated for that long too. Doctors are unable to give me a clear answer and say not to take any risks...but I am sure mothers with pituitary tumors have breastfed and maybe had good experiences?

I don't think I am making much sense but any advice would be appreciated. Can I help my hair loss and nurse for years to come with a pituitary tumor while possibly even being on meds?

[seawitch]

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of advice but I do have sympathy. At one point they thought DH had a tumor like that and they still haven't ruled it out. However, from my experience, they're rarely REALLY dangerous - although they're often quite inconvenient. I am in NO WAY giving you medical advice, however I would say (without researching, mind) that I would probably not BF as long as I might otherwise if I had had been in perfect health, but any amount of time you breastfeed is better than nothing. I think needs of kids and parents have to balance out at some point. You're already doing awesome for having EBF since your DC's birth. That's a great accomplishment already. If it takes too much out of you that's going to be something to revisit, obviously. A babe needs a healthy momma, right? Congrats for wanting to continue to BF despite challenges. You're a role model already.

I hope someone comes back with better medical knowledge!

[Megan73]

What does your endocrinologist say? Dr. Thomas Hale's site infantrisk.com is the best source on drug safety while breastfeeding.
It could well be normal hair loss.
I had serious hair loss about three to four months postpartum with each pregnancy. It ranged from all over thinning to a noticeable (to me, anyway) bald spot at my front hairline with my current nursling. At 11 months post-partum it's filled in again but the hair is short and sticks straight up. Very attractive

[E m i c h i e e]

Sorry for replying late, we moved to Germany and did not have internet.

 

seawitch

Thank you, I know 4 months are better than nothing but I was hoping I could do at least a year. 

I will see what the doctor says.

 

megan73

I have not been able to see a doctor because I did not have insurance in the US (my pregnancy medicaid had ended), but I do get free health insurance in Germany and can see anyone without charge and will make sure to get checked for everything.

The pituitary tumor is my biggest worry.

 

I am still loosing a ton of hair, it seems I will have to cut it shorter :( the bottom looks thinner.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I looked up info about cabergoline and it inhibits lactation. It could be (but shouldn't be) something given to a woman to stop lactation. Estrogen decreases but I don't think it is considered dangerous. That is something you could look into. You may still have enough milk even if you took estrogen.

If all the tumor is doing is making you hair fall out this is not that big of deal. You can do things to cover your head. If the tumor is doing things to hurt you then you need to make sure you keep yourself alive so your baby has a mother. I knew a women that had a pituitary tumor removed and then was able to breastfeed. You may be able to get milk from other mothers.