Moms who have weaned

[happymama]

Please talk to me about your post-weaning hormones!
DD started self weaning around 10 months and weaned completely at 13 months. It was fairly gradual and has been over two months now. But my hormones are driving me nuts. Mood swings, breakouts, migranes, cramps, nausea, dizziness/weakness, one day I barely want to eat, the next I want to eat all day. And I am SO TIRED. I want to sleep all day. And all night. And I am still exhausted. 
I know for sure that I am not pregnant (even so I tested just to be 110% sure), but I seriously feel...pregnant. That's the best way to describe it.

I expected it to take some time for my hormones to adjust after weaning, but I'm just wondering if any of you had it this bad after weaning, and how long it lasted. I have no symptoms of anything else,  my doctor recently gave me a clean bill of health, it feels exactly like hormones, and the symptoms come and go with the phases of my cycle, so I'm confident that I don't have a different medical problem going on. 
I'm just hoping for some light at the end of this tunnel. I anticipated the pregnancy and post-partum hormones, but I didn't expect this. I guess after two years of feeling like crap I want someone to tell me they've been there and it will get better

[Unknown]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked?

[lilqt3929]

I'm currently dealing with this as well, DD weaned 3 weeks ago so the effects have pretty much just started for me. I am having very bad breakouts, terrible mood swings, bloating, and the hunger you described. I expected some side effects but, like you, I just want to get back to normal, especially before we TTC. I really hope these feelings are not my "new normal". I dont have any words of advice for how long it will last, just sympathy and to let you know you're not alone!

[happymama]

Jan 28, 2015 19:14:25 GMT -5 Unknown said:

Have you had your thyroid levels checked?

Not recently. I have in the past and they have always been fine, but haven't had them checked with this bout of symptoms. It may be worth asking my doctor about. Like I said though, the symptoms come and go depending on where I am in my cycle, if it was my thyroid, wouldn't they be a little more consistent? 

[sugarkissed]

I felt the same way... but as it turns out, I got pregnant RIGHT after we weaned. I know that's no help at all, just trying to show some sympathy. Hope things start looking up soon!

[happymama]

Jan 28, 2015 19:22:44 GMT -5 lilqt3929 said:

I'm currently dealing with this as well, DD weaned 3 weeks ago so the effects have pretty much just started for me. I am having very bad breakouts, terrible mood swings, bloating, and the hunger you described. I expected some side effects but, like you, I just want to get back to normal, especially before we TTC. I really hope these feelings are not my "new normal". I dont have any words of advice for how long it will last, just sympathy and to let you know you're not alone!

I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with some of the same things! I expected to feel some hormonal changes for the first month or so, but now I'm into the third month of this with no relief. It wasn't this bad post-partum or even when my period started again. Or maybe it was, but I expected it to be rough, vs now I was expecting to be back to normal?  Who knows...

[happymama]

Jan 28, 2015 19:35:19 GMT -5 sugarkissed said:

I felt the same way... but as it turns out, I got pregnant RIGHT after we weaned. I know that's no help at all, just trying to show some sympathy. Hope things start looking up soon!

Haha, at least that would be an explanation! We want to start trying again soon, but a part of me wants to enjoy feeling normal for a month or two before I dive back into another pregnancy. 

[annarose]

I actually felt that I returned to "normal" when I weaned a little after 12 months . I'm sorry you are having a difficult time

[Unknown]

Jan 28, 2015 19:31:10 GMT -5 happymama said:

Jan 28, 2015 19:14:25 GMT -5 Unknown said:

Have you had your thyroid levels checked?

Not recently. I have in the past and they have always been fine, but haven't had them checked with this bout of symptoms. It may be worth asking my doctor about. Like I said though, the symptoms come and go depending on where I am in my cycle, if it was my thyroid, wouldn't they be a little more consistent? 

Not necessarily, usually it would be small enough fluctuations you wouldn't notice during your cycle but possible. Since I have no thyroid I'm reliant completely on medications, and I needed an adjustment when I stopped BFing because of increased estrogen, and another adjustment when I stopped my BCP to start TTC#2. It's easy and a common cause of some of those symptoms, so I always recommend starting there. At least worth asking your dr.

[smilingeyes]

I would probably take a trip to the doc and get your thyroid checked and maybe your iron levels as well (since you said you're tired a lot). Worth a shot, just to make sure. While you're there, you can mention all your concerns and see what your doc says. We weaned by 12 months and I can't fully remember going through anything like you're describing. I probably did - just didn't attribute it to weaning. I'm still waiting for that drop in weight when you stop breastfeeding!! haha

[happymama]

Jan 28, 2015 20:30:22 GMT -5 smilingeyes said:

I would probably take a trip to the doc and get your thyroid checked and maybe your iron levels as well (since you said you're tired a lot). Worth a shot, just to make sure. While you're there, you can mention all your concerns and see what your doc says. We weaned by 12 months and I can't fully remember going through anything like you're describing. I probably did - just didn't attribute it to weaning. I'm still waiting for that drop in weight when you stop breastfeeding!! haha

It's probably not a bad idea. I've been brushing it off as weaning, but it probably wouldn't hurt to check some labs just to be sure. I was also hoping to lose my last five pounds once DD weaned...instead I gained about 7 more in spite of eating well and exercising...I can't win,  lol.

[zoly1103]

Jan 28, 2015 19:39:08 GMT -5 annarose said:

I actually felt that I returned to "normal" when I weaned a little after 12 months . I'm sorry you are having a difficult time

Same here. 

[junewife]

Sorry to hear you're struggling with this. Everything I experienced after weaning was pretty mild. Since it's lasted so long for you, it probably wouldn't hurt to go get a check up at the doctor just to be sure everything's ok.

[carli]

I was already pregnant when I weaned so I didn't notice anything different really, at least not that I could attribute to the weaning. But I'm sorry you're struggling. I really hope your doctor can help.