----------------------------------------------------------- New Message on Pituitary Chat
----------------------------------------------------------- From: hope1112 Message 4 in Discussion Hi, Rissy1101, I've been taking bromocriptine for 10 years for a microprolactinoma. My really bad side effects went away after about a month, so hang in there. The side effect that did not leave was stuffy nose but I find if I break the pill up in many smaller doses over the day, the impact isn't as bad. The first time I was prescribed this drug, I took the whole 2.5 mg. at once, like my doctor stupidly suggested. I felt as if I was going to pass out, my knees buckled, and I couldn't breath at all through my nose. When I reported this to the endocrinologist, he told me not to take it anymore because of the side effects. So I didn't and spent many years merely on estrogen replacement therapy because the high prolactin lowers estrogen. But I was scared of possible cancer from the hormone therapy, so I found another endocrinologist who told me to take the 2.5 mg. tablet and break it into quarters. She said to take 1 quarter for 1-2 weeks, then add another quarter for 1-2 weeks, etc. By the time I was up to 3/4 of a 2.5 mg. tablet, my period came back, so I had a blood test and my prolactin level was around 20 or so. Because it normalized, I did not feel I had to add another quarter tablet. So 3/4 of a 2.5 mg. tablet worked for me for 10 years. Taking the full amount at night orally, with food (without food really stuffed up my nose,) worked for me for a long time, until I developed really bad allergies 2 years ago which stuffed my nose up horribly and did not allow me to sleep at night, when my nose closed up the most. So I take my dose now during the day, which does make me a bit tired, for about 2-3 hours, when the pill seems to peak. It seems to take 2-3 hours to peak, and the episode lasts 2-3 hours but then gets better. I drink some coffee to get me through that. But if you don't have allergies that hurt your breathing at night, eventually being able to take the full dose at night would be best. I've find Breathe Right nasal strips help. Hope that helps. Also, to answer about the link to lactation and thinning of the bones, unfortunately there is a link to high prolactin levels (which causes lactation) and osteoporosis. But if you control your prolactin levels with the bromo, your estrogen levels should normalize which will help your bones. (High prolactin lowers estrogen, and lack of estrogen can thin your bones) I would recommend taking a good calcium-magnesium-vitamin D supplement to help with the bone issue. This is what I have heard, but you should ask your doctor. All the best, Cathy ----------------------------------------------------------- To stop getting this e-mail, or change how often it arrives, go to your E-mail Settings. http://groups.msn.com/PituitaryChat/_emailsettings.msnw Need help? If you've forgotten your password, please go to Passport Member Services. http://groups.msn.com/_passportredir.msnw?ppmprop=help For other questions or feedback, go to our Contact Us page. http://groups.msn.com/contact If you do not want to receive future e-mail from this MSN group, or if you received this message by mistake, please click the "Remove" link below. On the pre-addressed e-mail message that opens, simply click "Send". Your e-mail address will be deleted from this group's mailing list. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
