janeyc Domperidone for Breastfeeding

[janeyc]

Hi all! I am so grateful I found this forum.  

 

My baby is 2.5 months old now and I have been dealing with low supply issue to breastfeed my baby. I had wanted to do everything to feed him. My midwife had suggested domperidone. I had read about the side effects and withdrawal effects but never thought it would happen to me. 

 

I have been on domperidone for 1.5 months.  I was taking 80 mg in 24 hours (2 pills every 6 hours) About 4 days ago, I quit cold turkey because I just didn't have any more left and also it didn't seem to be working in increasing my milk supply. I had felt ok for the first few days and didn't notice anything. However, yesterday I had increased anxiety and just thought it was due to lack of sleep.  However, today I woke up with a really heavy depression -a depression that I had never felt before -that I can't even explain and really awful intrusive thoughts. I am really scared. I had also been dealing with anxiety all of my life which had always been manageable and I have never been on any medication for it.  

 

Anyway, I am just really scared and would really like some advice on what to do. Increasing milk supply is off label usage for domperidone and so I don't really have anyone around me to help me with this. 

 

I did manage to get more supply of the domperidone and just started reinstating it again today. So far I have taken 60 mg (2 every 4 hours). I read the article about reinstating and still unsure if I should be returning to my original dose of 80 mg? or just stick with the 60 mg? As well, when will I feel better? I am so afraid of this depression and dark thoughts as I am also a new mom. Please help me with any guidance.

 

Thank you so much. 

[Altostrata]

 

Welcome, @janeyc

 

Though domperidone is not strictly a psychiatric drug, it is a failed antipsychotic and we have a few people tapering domperidone here. You can find them by searching for "domperidone" in the Introductions forum. Hardstartmama just joined, too.

 

Like psychiatric drugs, tapering domperidone too fast can result in withdrawal symptoms such as the ones are experiencing.

 

If I were you, I'd reinstate 25mg domperidone. If it made you sleepy before, I would take it in the evening. After stabilizing, you'd taper off by tiny amounts later. See

What is withdrawal syndrome? 
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms 
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Please let us know how you're doing. 

 

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