Hi All,
Have a client who is currently 45 yrs old.  BF youngest child 9 mo then
weaned, this was 22 years ago.  Since that time mom has had re-occurring
"spells" of engorgement that leave her breathless, nauseous, and feeling ill.
 She uses a pump to relieve the engorgement and gets a small amount (drops)
clearish/yellowish fluid that is sweet to the taste.  The swelling goes back
up into her armpits and she pumps until the swelling is relieved in that
area.
The left breast is the one that produces the fluid, and the right breast
produces blood when squeezed.  (When she was 13 yrs she was hit in the right
breast by a rock)
A few years ago (6 yrs) lumps were found in her right breast through a
mamogram.  They were sugically removed but that did not resolve the problem.
 Dr thought that the fluid was an infection and gave her antibiotics to cure,
but it didn't.
This engorgement/lactating "thing" happens about every month and a half to
every two months, usually around her menstrual cycle.  Client is a cleaning
woman for the last 3 years.

My feeling is this:  Hormone imbalance, Pituitary problem, or the stimulation
from the cleaning jobs (which might explain the last 3 yrs, but not before.
 She does not exercise)
My suggestions:  Go to a Breast Specialist and get tested for the hormones
and pituitary.  When the engorgement starts to flare up use cabbage liberally
and either drink sage tea (4 cups p/day) or take sage capsules, to help
reduce the amount of fluid in the breasts.

Okay, anything I missed?  Anything you can suggest?  Needless to say, she is
a little frustrated and is tired of having to pump when she has no baby!
All insight will be helpful.  Please e-mail privately as well as to the list.
 I am trying hard to catch up on my Lactnet so am a bit behind (like I'm not
the only one!).
Thanks a bunch!
Jay
(who just LOVES these interesting cases!)