Have any of you been on either of these drugs while nursing?
I was on both Metformin (1,000 mg) and low dose naltrexone (4.5 mg) before conceiving this last time. I stayed on both meds through 22 weeks of the pregnancy and then have been off of them since that time. My Napro Dr. gave me prescriptions to renew them both and said I could start the Metformin this month and wait on the LDN for a few more months. R's pediatrician said the Metformin was fine for breastfeeding but the LDN he wasn't sure about.
Personally, I would like to start both of them again, but I'm so nervous since I hope to breastfeed until R is one year old (that's another 9 1/2 months away). That's a lot of time for me to be nursing and on medications. And I'm so super cautious about R's health since I know what it's like to deal with health issues. I pray she does not inherit any of my health problems.
I'm so indecisive/hesitatnt because it's not totally clear to me how each of the meds helps my body, though they do seem to help. And it was only this pregnancy that I was on both meds (previous pregnancies I was only on Metformin). I'm not insulin-resistant, but I do have PCOS. The Metformin seemed to help with my metabolism, weight control, and who knows what else with the metabolic system. The LDN helped with my sleep, immune system, and fatigue.
So what are your experiences with either of these drugs and breastfeeding? Am I just being the super, overly sensitive mother?
I was on both Metformin (1,000 mg) and low dose naltrexone (4.5 mg) before conceiving this last time. I stayed on both meds through 22 weeks of the pregnancy and then have been off of them since that time. My Napro Dr. gave me prescriptions to renew them both and said I could start the Metformin this month and wait on the LDN for a few more months. R's pediatrician said the Metformin was fine for breastfeeding but the LDN he wasn't sure about.
Personally, I would like to start both of them again, but I'm so nervous since I hope to breastfeed until R is one year old (that's another 9 1/2 months away). That's a lot of time for me to be nursing and on medications. And I'm so super cautious about R's health since I know what it's like to deal with health issues. I pray she does not inherit any of my health problems.
I'm so indecisive/hesitatnt because it's not totally clear to me how each of the meds helps my body, though they do seem to help. And it was only this pregnancy that I was on both meds (previous pregnancies I was only on Metformin). I'm not insulin-resistant, but I do have PCOS. The Metformin seemed to help with my metabolism, weight control, and who knows what else with the metabolic system. The LDN helped with my sleep, immune system, and fatigue.
So what are your experiences with either of these drugs and breastfeeding? Am I just being the super, overly sensitive mother?
i don't get why she described them? maybe i don't understand pcos enough but have your cycles started already?
ReplyDeleteNo, cycles haven't started. I consider them more of maintenance drugs to maintain my overall health. Hence, the prescription now. (And also he's on sabbatical for a year.)
DeleteMetformin is safe while nursing. I've been on it the whole time. I don't know about LDN. I never went back on it because we cosleep and LDN impacts sleep which would be a safety concern.
ReplyDeleteI think the answer from any physician would be "I don't know." I googled naltrexone and pregnancy, and of course, the page is for normal doses of it, and not LDN, but it said "Naltrexone and 6-beta-naltrexol are excreted into human milk. The effects on the nursing infant are unknown. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for tumorigenicity shown for naltrexone in animal studies, and for the potential of serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother."
ReplyDeleteOne of my napro dr.s said it was OK another (who was also an endocrinologist) said no. If you can stick it out, go drug free just to be on the safe side of things, especially if the prescription is just for maintenance. The best thing for you and the baby is good sleep and good nutrition.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've never been on LDN before, dr. Hilgers wouldn't prescribe it to me while nursing and said I could try it once cycles resumed. Not sure if it is unsafe while nursing or just his preference.
ReplyDeleteThis is good to know- thanks!
DeleteI was on LDN preggo but stopped at 30week and didnt take it while nursing for 3 months..I am back on it now though...good luck!
ReplyDelete