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I consulted with my GP (don't currently have an OB/GYN) about inducing lactation for my twins that we are expecting via surrogacy in June. He told me he would do some research and get back to me. It took him several weeks and I already had some domperidone, so I just went ahead and got started on my own last week. Well, I got a phone call this afternoon from his nurse. She said that he wanted to tell me "That drug you were asking about is not available in the US. It's not FDA approved because of its effect on the heart."
Now, I am a little worried. You see, I have heart problems, which is why I am using a surrogate. I've been reading all over this site about domperidone, and no where do I see anything about it having an effect on the heart? Is my doctor getting incorrect information? Or would it be dangerous for me to continue using it (I did not take my last dose, because I don't want to do anything to harm my heart)? And if I can't use the dom, is it still possible to induce lactation without it?
Thanks. I plan to also send this question to Lenore.
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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I haven't heard about it affecting the heart. It is used for reflux and other digestive issues the side effect is that it induces lactation. It is not FDA approved in the US because there is another drug they use instead. Also many of the trials they have run are IV use and we don't use it that way. I would ask your doctor to see the documents stating what he found. It is wise to email Lenore as well. Please let us know what you find out.
Laurie~Craig's wife~Mom to 4 blessings nurtured at the breast CJ(24)Travis(21)Beka~adopted(9)Rab(6)
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Also if you are taking medications for your heart your doctor maybe concerned about drug interactions.
You can google Domperidone and read some of the precautions and information found that way.
Laurie~Craig's wife~Mom to 4 blessings nurtured at the breast CJ(24)Travis(21)Beka~adopted(9)Rab(6)
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My understanding is that the medication was given in very high doses to cancer patients via IV. These patients were very sick, receiving chemotherapy, and had low potassium levels. Low potassium levels will give anyone heart issues. So, these patients got high IV doses and some had irregular heartbeats.
I sometimes have a fast heartbeat. I emailed Jack Newman and he said to go ahead and take the dom so I did. I made an appt with a cardiologist after I'd been on the dom for awhile and had an EKG. She wasn't familiar with dom so did some internet research of medical sources while I sat in her office and couldn't find any reason why I couldn't take the medication.
My suggestion would be to email Jack Newman with your specific heart problem and talk to your cardiologist. I have been on the dom since May with no problems.
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There are no problems with the domperidone orally. It was when given by I.V.
Adoptive mommy to 4 , Last 2 adopted nursed. Youngest nursed till she was 5! Raising 2 grandbabies, as infants they were raised on donor breast milk 
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I am going in for surgery on Monday. I decided to hold off on starting the protocol until afterwards and to talk to the cardiologist who will be seeing me in the hospital. According to my cardiologist, she's the one to talk to about this as she works with women with heart defects when they want to get pregnant. I'm hoping that I'll have some answers by the end of the year so I can have at least 5 months to work on the protocol. I'll let you all know what I find out.
I did email Lenore and she gave the same information as several of you above. She also said that if my doctor does not want me to take dom I might be able to take the reglan, though that can cause depression (not something I really want to do to myself). I'm hoping that the cardiologist will be better informed than my GP. I think he stopped looking as soon as he saw "heart" in the possible side effects.
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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Yesterday I went to see my OB/GYN to talk about inducing lactation. After she spent a lot of energy looking at the domperidone and reglan protocols, she has recommended that I take neither of these drugs.
However, I am already taking a drug called digoxin for my heart. She says that this drug can also have a side effect of lactation (which might explain the fact that I've been able to get drops from my breasts for years now). So she recommended that I follow the protocol without the dom (so pumping and using the herbs).
I am at the end of my BCP pack and she suggested I get started on the pumping ASAP (we have about 4-5 months before my babies will be born). My question is, do I start pumping the day after I take the last BCP, or after my period starts? I plan to contact a lactation consultant tomorrow to see about renting a hospital grade pump and get her advice.
Thanks so much!
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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You start pumping the day after you stop your last pill. I take domperidone. I have been for several years now. And I take meds for my heart as well. It will not effect your heart. But I wish you the best in your pumping
Adoptive mommy to 4 , Last 2 adopted nursed. Youngest nursed till she was 5! Raising 2 grandbabies, as infants they were raised on donor breast milk
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Thanks! As much as I want to go against my doc and take the dom anyway, I'm not going to. I'm hopeful that getting a big lead time on pumping will make up the difference. I went with surrogacy because I knew I couldn't take the risk of my heart causing problems in pregnancy. So I guess I need to follow that same thought process on this. And if it doesn't work, well at least I tried! But I have faith that I'll be able to feed my girls at my breasts. It's what they were meant to do.
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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Niki so you will be doing the natural protocol? It sounds like it with just herbs and pumping. You might want to see about adding the goats Rue. Take to Lenore I think the recommendation is for those who cannot do the regular protocol. Check with Lenore now that you have new info on what your doc has recommended and what she said about the Digoxin
Laurie~Craig's wife~Mom to 4 blessings nurtured at the breast CJ(24)Travis(21)Beka~adopted(9)Rab(6)
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Good idea. I'll try emailing her again. I bought some goat's rue and plan to ask my OB/GYN to make sure it's safe before I take it. I also have the More Milk Plus and my hospital grade pump all ready to go. My last BCP will be tomorrow. So I guess I'll start pumping on Tuesday. I'm nervous and excited at the same time.
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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I suggest the herbs in capsule The tincture doesn't have enough. Fenugreek 3caps 3x daily and Blessed Thistle same 3 caps 3x daily. That is per Lenore's instruction.
Laurie~Craig's wife~Mom to 4 blessings nurtured at the breast CJ(24)Travis(21)Beka~adopted(9)Rab(6)
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I have the More Milk Plus capsules. Will that not work?
Also, On the bottle it says 1 cap 4x daily. Should I do the 3 caps 3x daily instead?
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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More milk has some fenugreek, but not as much as taking it individually. I would add in the fenugreek 3 caps 3x day.
Jennifer
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I agree
Laurie~Craig's wife~Mom to 4 blessings nurtured at the breast CJ(24)Travis(21)Beka~adopted(9)Rab(6)
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Thanks! I'll stop by Central Market tomorrow and pick up some fenugreek, then. Just wanted to update. Today was my first day of herbs and pumping... I didn't really expect anything, but actually got several drops out of each breast (more from the right than the left)! I was very pleasantly surprised! And I'm thinking it's my imagination, but my breasts have been tingling off and on today. Hopefully this is a good sign? Thanks again for all the advice!
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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LOL no its not your imagination. Your breasts are kicking in gear for production. Tingling is good
Last edited by Nona; 01/30/09 12:59 AM.
Adoptive mommy to 4 , Last 2 adopted nursed. Youngest nursed till she was 5! Raising 2 grandbabies, as infants they were raised on donor breast milk
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Just a little update... I've been pumping for one week and I'm up to 1.5 oz a day. At this rate, I'm confident I'll be good to go when my babies arrive. It's such a relief to know that even without the domperidone I can do this!
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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New update... My OB has had me stop all herbs because I started having heart palpitations. I am hoping that stopping the herbs will take care of it, but not lower my supply. I am up to 2.5 oz per day.
I've noticed that I produce almost twice as much on the right side than I do on the left. Anyone have any tricks for stimulating more milk from the lower producing side?
Niki in TX
IM expecting TWINS 7/2/09 (or sooner)
matched with a WONDERFUL GS!
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