Horrible side effect to fenugreek

nycmelody

Hi ladies,

So I'm really struggling to BF - mostly we BF with a supplementing system (long story). Anyways, I thought my milk supply was getting pretty good (only supplementing with 5 oz formula/day) due to fenugreek 3x/3 times a day. About a week ago I started waking up from horrible nausea and stomach cramps and basically figured out it was the fenugreek. I had been on it for over 4 weeks. So I stopped taking it and my milk supply dropped really low. LO cried and cried until I was up to 10-12 oz in formula, and I was only able to pump less than 1 oz after each feeding instead of 2-3. I thought it might be because I switched to a new bottle of fenugreek, so I went and bought a new brand and new bottle. I took it on Sunday and all night I had the worst stomach pain ever - it's incapacitating. Anyone experience anything like this?

So now I'm trying goat's rue, blessed thistle, and shatavari. I've been on goats rue since Sunday and shatavari since yesterday and haven't noticed any improvement yet. Did any of these work for anyone? How long until you saw results? I'm going crazy and I'm so frustrated. Because of pumping and supplementing, our feedings take 1.25 hours each time. I just want this to work.....

Maelara

I am also using a supplementing system. The SNS from medela. I asked my doctor for a prescription to help with increasing my supple. There are a couple different ones so if the fenugreek isn't working maybe ask your doctor about one of these prescriptions? It seems to be working. My supple is even lower than your so I still supplement quite a bit.

lovinlyfewithu

A friend of mine uses Brewers Yeast Tablets and they have worked for her. Maybe give it a try?

nycmelody

I do have low supply, by the way. I went to a lacation nurse and they weighed him before and after feeding, and he only got 1/2 oz. Then with the 1 I can get after feeding, that's only 1 1/2 and he is definitely eating 3 or more oz.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the oatmeal, flax and yeast.

WhitWed

My sister, SIL, and friend all took a vitamin combination of lecithin, burdock, and magnesium once per day (originally recommended to my sister by her doctor and confirmed by a midwife).  Those are all natural vitamins. All of their milk supplies increased.  I've never had anyone close to me taking fenugreek so I can't comment on the side effects, but I can definitely say to give the vitamins a try.  It might really help and then you can avoid the fenugreek and pains.  I wish you luck!!!

PurpleCobra1

I took fenugreek for like 4 days (before I realized my supply was doing just fine). It gave me horrible gas and  upset my stomach.