I'm still in the first stages of getting a complete diagnosis, but a CT scan this past Thursday showed a tumor on my pituitary gland (which controls hormones). I had an MRI today and have several appointments lined up within the week.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this (pun intended....I need all the humor I can muster!). Online research suggests that most of these tumors are noncancerous, and there are a few different ways of treatment (meds, radiation, and surgery). I still don't know my own path.
What my husband and I can't get over is how many of my symptoms are probably related to this tumor! I thought I'd share them in case there are other moms on her who may be struggling and looking for anwers.
My symptoms:
*infertility
*irregular periods/difficult periods
*probably caused my uterun polyps and endometriosis
*hair falling out
*weight gain/ no metabolism
*hump between my shoulders
*still produce milk long after weaning
*irritability when stressed (fight/flight charged without relaxing)
*headaches (mine has turned to migraines)
My question....have you heard of this tumor (micro/macro adenoma of the pituitary gland)? I think there are 1 in 1000 (according to one website). If you've had it or know someone, would you mind sharing your story? I'm not freaked out about it....yet. :) I'm upset that my migraine is lasting 7 days and is INTENSE. That has me worried.
THANKs!
J.
Thank you all who have responded thus far. Please know I am not looking for pity! That's an uglier place than sitting here with a non brain, brain tumor! It is just nice (in a way) to have answers to all those things that make me wonki.
I am not TTC any more. I was able to do that twice with two miracle babies. In fact, I've had a hysterectomy....also probably due to this stupid thing.
Shortly after I posted this, I got the dreaded phone call from the doctor. Was told I'd only hear from her if something was urgent. So the tumor is larger than they thought, very close to my optic nerve, and bleeding (hence the ongoing headache). She said she was sending the images to a neurosurgeon tomorrow and wanted me to follow up with him tomorrow as well. My guess is that I'm having this thing removed ASAP. I know one way is through the nose/sinuses and the other is through the skull. My luck....through the skull since it is so big.
Just what we needed my daughter's first week of Kindergarten. And to think I was worried what she was going to eat in her lunch box. Perspective is a wonderful thing!
My sister-in-law discovered her irregular cycles and infertility was due to a pituitary tumor. I don't know all of her symptoms, but I do know that she was treated with medication and it went away. She was able to conceive not just my niece, but my nephew 10 months later and hasn't had a problem with it since. Good luck!
J.:
I'm sorry you are going through this!! I hope it is benign!!!
I don't have any personal experience with this! you are in my thoughts and prayers!!
J., I don't have a comment to add regarding your question, but I wanted to let you know that I think you are handling this beautifully. I would like to think I would be searching for humor and stories, like you, but I think it would be taking everything I had to keep me from becoming a puddle on the floor. You rock! Stay strong! Way to be an inspiration...
I am so sorry J.. I don't have any info for you. However I am very sorry to hear this. I am praying for you and your family for peace,strength and healing.
I hope its not too serious. Stay Strong!
Oh Also - Not sure if you are wanting to convieve or not but I do belive there was a woman with a simmilar condition that posted on a forum on this website called " fertility friend " www.FertilityFriend.com Its for charting your cycles and all sorts of things. My mom even charts for PCOS and Menopause.
Look into it. They have forums. I would post there if you don't get much help here.
My girlfriend and I were talking about something similar just this past Saturday! She believes she's going through the same thing and is getting a date set for tests as we *speak*.
Good luck - from what I understand, if this is what it is, once the tumor is gone your symptoms are almost immediately gone!
J., I can't answer your actual question, but just want to say that I'm so sorry about this diagnosis. I AM glad that they figured it out, though. I wish you the very best in the days to come as you navigate this maze. Don't let it get you down! You sound like a real trooper!
Hugs, and sending you strength,
Dawn
Yes I have - it's something that quite a few friends who were dealing with infertility problems or other hormonal wackiness have had checked out. I have had two friends who did have pituitary tumors. I can't remember their treatments (I think they were surgically removed because they were resolved fairly quickly) but neither was cancerous.
Hope you get this resolved and are well again soon!
Ur my buddy , i have PCOS and also had brain tumor (very similar to yours but on my hearing nerve,yeah a big one which had to be taken out 2 times in 2 years)...the one i had happens 1 in 1lac :( and i was the choosen one.
I donno which method surgery your neurosurgeon will suggest but whatever be it i heard and experienced that its a fast recovery.My first surgery (thru skull & the nerve had to be chopped off so i am deaf in my left ear wth left facial weakness) was for 11 hrs and still they could not take the whole out later after 2 yrs I had 6 hrs surgery and all out.
Funny that i had no headache or hearing loss as symptoms which are usually very common. mood swings always :))
anyways hang in there, just be determined to get rid of it once for all(the reason i refused radiotherapy). trust me u will recover very fast which still amazes me.
sorry, no answers for you but I hope things get better soon.
You are in my thoughts too. You sound like quite a woman.
I have a friend who had one and she said it was almost like an extra head!! She says the doctor took it out but never put her on any hormones!!
Prayers for you! Guess you'll probably be in Indianapolis for all that - hopefully you'll have a neuro as good as a couple of 'em down in Louisville!
