Sue Ann, you raise some interesting questions about breastfeeding into the
years when menopause occurs. Gabrielle Palmer describes a wet nurse
written up in 1831 who was still nursing babies at age 75. (p. 134 of The
Politics of Breastfeeding, 1st edition). Doesn't say what effect this had
on her, but she still could express milk at age 81.
Has your friend had a pregnancy test? The symptoms of menopause that you
describe could also be symptoms of an unanticipated pregnancy.
Anne Altshuler, RN, MS, IBCLC and LLL leader in Madison, WI