So good news: I now have a 7 week-old son. He is gorgeous and perfect and Iām totally in love.
Bad news: If you know my history, my MAV drastically improved when I went off the birth control pill in September 2009, and got even better when I was pregnant. During the pregnancy, it was pretty much a non-issue, except for some certain triggers like fluorescent lighting.
About 5 weeks postpartum, I started getting headaches. Soon after came the all-too familiar rocking, swaying, imbalance, visual trouble, fatigue from trying to stay steady in an unsteady world. Itās been a couple weeks, and I only think itās getting worse. I am so depressed; I just want to feel like a normal human being again. Of course, this has totally confirmed for me that my MAV is 100% hormonal. Fortunately we have a good nighttime sleeper, or Iād be in big trouble.
Anyway, just wondering if anyone has suggestions for me. Does nursing contribute to MAV? Will I get better on my own in several months, once my hormones settle down? Is it the drop in progesterone that causes this? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
My MAV started when my son was two months old. I continued nursing even when on Celexa, as it is safe. He didnāt have any issues with that. Good thing that you are able to get sleep at night, that was one of my biggest challenges. My husband had to really step in and help out while I rested and tried to heal.
I definitely think that hormones have a huge role in pushing us over the edge, but itās probably not all hormones. For me, the dizziness came back after I stopped breastfeeding and stopped Celexa. Iām back on Prozac now and improving.
Have you considered meds? Be careful with this time, as you are also vulernable for postpartum depression/anxiety, and with the MAV it can just make it all seem worse. Take care of yourself!!
p.s. If you have any concerns about medications while nursing, check out Dr. Haleās web site infantrisk.com/content/webforum. He is the author of Medications and Mothersā Milk, which is considered the Bible for care providers when prescribing meds to nursing mothers. The old webforum has lots of information, as well as the new webforum that are linked to on this page.
I posted one of the success stories. I didnāt know I have migraine until I started to wean my two kids from breastfeeding and my supply decreased (each when they were about 4 months old). I had zero symptoms until then. I guess hormone triggers are different for different people. Anyway, I was really, really sick. Somehow I also lost most of my vestibular function, and itās gone forever. The good news is Iām doing well now - taking three preventive drugs (Librium, Effexor, and Amitriptyline). It was sad to stop breastfeeding abruptly so that I could take meds, but you can grow a perfectly healthy baby on formula. Iām going off on a tangent - switching to formula was the LEAST of my problems with my MAV raging.
Iāve found a few moms who were dizzy postpartum for a month or so, and it went away on its own. They didnāt believe me when I said it was migraine.
Congratulations on your baby. I hope youāre feeling better soon so you can enjoy your little one.
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! May I ask if you had a C-section? The MAV big bang happened for me 3 days after having my sweet daughter- I think it was when my milk came in. I nursed for 8 weeks, completely dizzy, refusing to try any meds because I wanted the best for her, then I sadly realized I wasnāt giving myself, my husband, nor my 3-year-old son my best. I bid farewell to nursing and 7 months later, she is healthy and happy and perfectly great on formulaā¦but Iām still dizzy.
Itās totally up to you and itās a personal decision. If you are rocking and rolling and having a hard time, do it for you and your baby. Iām glad I tried the meds, but a little bitter that Iām not nursing because the meds didnāt work, but that was the only way to find out.
MAV is definitely hormonal related for me as well and Iād love to have a third child but scared out of my mind to go through the big bang mess againā¦but if Iām dizzy like this still, then why the hell not?!
Yes, I absolutely agree that your health is most important. A healthy mom makes for a healthy and happy baby. There is nothing wrong with formula, and your baby will be just fine if you stop nursing to start some meds to help with MAV. Get it under control as quickly as you can.
No, I did not have a c-section. I was induced at 42 weeks (no pain meds though). I was actually fine during labor and the few weeks after birthā¦the MAV started up again about 5 weeks postpartum. I have no idea if the breastfeeding is contributing, or if itās the drop in pregnancy hormones or what. I have no problem with formula (we do supplement a little anyway) if it comes to that, but Iām hesitant to give up nursing right now, since it may just be postpartum stuff causing it. Fortunately I can function alright now (itās not good, but itās been much worse in the past), so Iām going to try to give it some time. I will call the doctor soon, though, to at least talk to him and see what my options are.
Congratulations on the birth of your son!!! I am so sorry to hear about your declining symptoms, and wish you all the very best. It is so difficult taking care of a child when sick. I can relate completely. you got well before, and hopefully will again very soon. All the very best to you!
Itās ME again. Cassada hasnt posted since May 2012. @dizzy3 (one lovely lady, she is too in US) and is only current member Iām aware of and who posts actively who is post partum MAVer. Helen
@Onandon03 thanks Helen. @Jessyka_Nettleton i hope you are doing well. Send me a private message and we can talk there. It is not fun having mav postpartum. Hugs
Hi, I happened to get an email about this, though as someone said, I havenāt been active on here in a very long time! Iām so sorry if you are struggling with MAV after pregnancy. Iām not sure how much help I can be at this point, as it was over 7 years ago, and Iāve only had the one child. I did start to feel a lot better once my hormones settled down. I continued to nurse for 14 months and was alright doing so. Iām 100% sure that the birth control pill prior to trying to get pregnant is what caused my MAV in the first place. I have not been on the pill since, and except for a few off days, thankfully have been doing quite well the past several years. Iāll be thinking about you and I hope you feel better very soon.
