prolactin and infertility

[candycorn24]

Hi my name is Valerie. I was diagnosed almost 10 years ago in December 99 with a polactin level over 600. I have used Dostinex / Cabergoline over the last 10 years ranging from ½ a pill twice a week to 8 pills a week.

I had surgery in July 2002 but due to where the tumor was embedded into the blood vessels they could not get all of it out. My level dropped down to the 40s after surgery but quickly climbed up to over 200 again. Since surgery I have worked my way back up to 6 pills a week.

Although my level is “stable” ranging from 80-120 it is not good enough for me to have children. Over the last year my husband and I have been seeking infertility help. We tried several rounds of artificial Insemination and even jumped to IVF. We have spent over $25,000 on injections and doctor visits with nothing to show for. I was just told by one doctor that unless my prolactin level goes down they will not longer try to help me have children. They can not get my estrogen level high enough to allow follicles to grow, no follicles, no eggs, no biological children.

I am about to increase to 8 pills a week ( my endocrinologist, although on my side, in my opinion is not doing enough) I know I am the only one on his books with this problem but I have had to seek out my own information and medical directions to tell him. Otherwise he feels I am stable lets leave the level alone. I have tried 2nd opinions from other endocrinologist but in the area that I live this problem is not common and they do not know what to do with me.

So in short I am asking for HELP from anyone that has a high prolactin level and was able to have children.

[Bev]

Hi Valerie
Nice to meet you & I am glad you feel able to share your problems on here. I was 18 when I began having tests for high prolactin levels.( Mine started at 1500). I was put onto Bromocryptine which gave me a cycle & with this drug I had three healthy babies, just coming off them each time I was pregnant. So don't give up!
If I can help you with anything else I will try my best.
Bev.

[Paul Clarke]

Hi Candycorn,

First of all, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you to our community. I know of three people in your position that now ask me advice on raising their kids! Being male, my fertility problems are different to yours however, I was also told that I could not father kids due to a prolactinoma. That was 10 years ago. Nobody bothered tto tell my 8 year old.

It is fortunate that you can take such large doses of dostinox without side effects. I would urge you to insist on regular echo-cardiograms.

In the three years since I ws diagnosed, treatments and technology has come on leaps and bounds with the new availability of the gamma knife looking very promising for those of us whose carotid arteries are involved.

Best regards,

Paul