Help please does anyone feel ill on their period and stopping breastfeeding?

[Isabella-2016]

Something strange is happening to me and just want to see if this is common. I feel a bit like I’m on drugs, time felt like it was going funny. I heard the voice the other night and anxiety and obsessiveness has been not good. Anyone help please? I have been really well the last two years after ppp. This is just awful and do not want to be ill again and traumatise my children again. I’m going to phone doctors tomorrow morning

[Seasky18 Volunteer]

Hi Isabella everyone reacts differently when stopping feeding but I do know it definitely messes with your hormone balance as you’re changing the demands on your body and potentially getting less oxytocin for one thing - it can take a while to adjust. For me I was just a bit down, but I know for some people it’s much harder. I think you’re very wise reaching out for support, talking to your doctor in the morning sounds like a really good idea. Try to be gentle on yourself and do all you can to rest and relax and rest… sending hugs x

[Isabella-2016 in reply to Seasky18]

Thanks lovely for your message. Good to know I’m not alone. Feeling more my self the past two days xx

[Seasky18 Volunteer in reply to Isabella-2016]

That’s so good to hear… keep looking after you, you’re readjusting… being self aware is so important and there’s help anytime you need it xx

[alisonrw Volunteer]

Hi Isabella -2016

Thank you for reaching out for support. I'm sorry to hear you've been feeling anxious and not yourself.

In terms of my experience, I combination fed my son and did feel different for a while after I stoped breastfeeding. I suffered from very bad PMS before becoming pregnant and was conscious that my periods coming back could lead to some mental health symptoms due to the way my body reacts to hormone changes. It has taken me time to adjust.

That sounds a good idea to call the doctors in the morning. Are you still doing any breastfeeds? As well as your doctor, would it be helpful to speak with your local infant feeding team? They may be able to offer support on how to reduce breastfeeding and check in with you as you do this.

I hope you can get some rest and take it easy on yourself this evening.

Best wishes

Alison.

[Isabella-2016 in reply to alisonrw]

Thank you so much for your message lovely. Contacting a feeding team sounds like a good idea! I’ve been feeling much better past two days bar a little anxiety this morning, but much more my self over all xx

[alisonrw Volunteer in reply to Isabella-2016]

Hi Isabella-2016

I'm glad to hear that you've been feeling much better in the past couple of days and that anxiety has lifted. I found things very confusing when my periods came back after not having them for so long, especially anxious feelings as there was nothing obvious to me that had changed in my everyday life.

Do take very good care of yourself and try to give yourself extra time for rest during this time of adjustment if you can. I know it's not always easy to do this with caring for little ones.

Because of my experience with very bad PMS, I find tracking my cycle helps so that I can plan relaxing time in the days before my period and try to get enough sleep. As Jenny mentions, it might be useful to keep track of this while your body adjusts if you feel this could help.

All the best and keep in touch if you'd like to chat about anything.

Alison.

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Isabella-2016,

I hope you’re ok, feeling like this must be really unsettling. As Seasky18 says, stopping feeding can definitely mess with your hormones. I stopped breastfeeding when PP hit so don’t have any relevant experience to share sorry as it was all mixed in with being unwell.

Ringing the doctors tomorrow sounds like a good plan, do tell them how you’ve been feeling.

I hope you can get some rest tonight, look after yourself and try not to worry. Let us know how you get on tomorrow.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Isabella-2016,

I hope you managed to contact your doctors yesterday. I've been thinking of you, I hope you're ok.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[Isabella-2016 in reply to Jenny_at_APP]

Hello lovely, thank you for your messages and concern. I have been feeling much better the past two days, but did have a very strange time when I made this post. I spoke to the doctor yesterday and they seem quite concerned with my symptoms. She said something about period psychosis. I really hope it’s not that and it’s mostly from stopping breastfeeding and my hormones will adjust on their own. She wants to double my meds wth! I’m gonna get some more opinions because this seems quite drastic when usually I feel great and I’m hoping this is temporary xx

[Jenny_at_APP Partner in reply to Isabella-2016]

Thank you for taking the time to reply I'm glad you've been feeling much better the last couple of days, and that you managed to speak to the doctor. Probably something to keep a track of and see how your period affects you and how much is down to stopping breastfeeding? But really good you're feeling better. Take good care x