Hi all,

I started taking the progesterone version of the Newman-Goldfarb protocol about 3 weeks ago, with a 100 mg bioidentical progesterone hormone along with 20 mg domperidone, 3-4 times/day. My trouble is I have been bleeding somewhat during most of the time so far. About 4 days into it, I got my period, which I thought was strange but it probably was my regular cycle, if the BCP just hadn't really taken effect in my body yet. I paused on the BCP and kept taking the dom. After my period I resumed. And a few days later I was bleeding again - not a constant flow, but a little bit pretty much every day. My naturopath was perplexed. She said watch it for a week; then try doubling the progesterone for a week. Doubling hasn't made much difference. I will see her next week, but I wanted to put this out there in case anyone resonates with the experience. I am not taking a pill with estrogen because it's not good for me - I get aura migraines. And it is a bioidentical hormone, not synthetic.

During this last week I also had the occurrence of two things that I have had before, but worse than usual: a migraine and heart palpitation. My migraines are often triggered by changes in estrogen so maybe that's not surprising with my cycle evidently stirred; the heart thing seems likely not related, but it was a scare - I went to the ER with a heart that wouldn't stop racing and was treated for SVT - a heart arythmia. Since I am choosing a medication protocol that doctors here in the Bay Area are not familiar with, I figure I best cast a wide net for input from people who do have experience with these two medications.

If anything strikes a chord with you, I would be happy to hear. In a general way it's also made me consider whether my body "wants" to do this. My heart and mind do! So I am also interested to hear from you if you had other experiences of realizing that although you really wanted to do it, pursuing the protocol or inducing lactation were actually not the best thing for your body, for whatever reason.

Cindy,
I think I would e-mail Dr. Newman or Lenore Goldfarb with some of your questions. I am not a doctor, so I don't think I can be helpful. I would be concerned about the heart palpatations, because while domperidone doesn't have side effects for many people, heart issues are one that does happen rarely.

I had no side effects. I did have some breakthrough bleeding while on the protocol and that could be normal. You are just supposed to stay on the bcp's through the bleeding. You don't take the sugar pills.

Dr. Newman's e-mail is [email protected]
Lenore's is [email protected]

Good luck to you!
Jennifer

Thank you. I didn't realize heart effects were included or that I should continue taking BCP if I was bleeding. Well, I guess I knew at the end of the first month to keep going but I was looking forward to no bleeding! I will email them.

Hi Cindy,
I am doing the progesterone/dom protocol also and have been on it for 7 months. I didn't have any of the heart issues, but I do still have break through bleeding. I wouldn't say I have a period anymore, but I have spotting about every 2 weeks for a day or two. Very annoying. At the start of the protocol, I had heavier bleeding more often but over time it has lightened up. I started at the 100mg dose of progesterone but when I kept having a period my doctor and I also increased by dose to 200mg, it didn't really help any, still have spotting. Hope this helps.
Kelly

Thanks for your share. The bleeding is annoying! I think that the progesterone and the domperidone don't work for me. I saw my ND today and see a heart specialist Friday. I had an ER visit last Saturday for a racing heart that wouldn't settle down. Then I found in the "Domperidone Consensus Statement" from Newman and Goldfarb et al, this line:

"until further studies are conducted, it is recommended not to prescribe domperidone to any mother with a history of known or suspected cardiac arrhythmias (tachyarrhythmia, QT prolongation)"

Because I have had heart palpitations before - that last 10-20 mins - I think I am one of those mothers for whom it is not recommended. I'm taking a month off and will see.

Just closing the loop on this trail I opened in February - to provide accurate information. I did see cardiac specialist and was told the domperidone was no problem. I do have a cardiac arrythmia but not the same kind that was an issue in the domperidone studies.