"Minnie", I am sending a copy to you because as you know I've been
having problems with my E:Mails disappearing.
Sagemark,
That sounds so familiar to me. I had headaches so bad for so long until
they were 24/7. NOTHING helped. An MRI had been done. I thought an MRI of the
head was just that. My doctor had given me a concoction of medication
in his office (he called it his Cincinnati Cocktail). I could hear what was
going on but I couldn't react or respond. I could hear him telling my husband
that he had done all he could do and he felt I should see a
psychiatrist ("it was all in my head"). My husband insisted on another MRI. He
knew the pain was real. This time he did a "full brain" MRI and found the tumor.
It completely covered my pituitary and had ruptured. This was what had caused
the severe headaches with no relief. I was actually glad they found something. I
knew I couldn't go on living as it was. I had no fears going into surgery. It
had to get better. The tumor was also pressing against my optic nerve. I did
have a spinal leake and now have diabetes insipidus. It is usually not permanent
but my Endocrinologist thinks mine is because it's been over 5 years. I am
panhypopituitary. I do take all the replacement hormones even though it will
never be the same. I do now (afterall) see a psychiatrist and a therapist which
has really helped me to deal with the situation. There is a lot of literature
supporting a connection of depression, panic attacks, etc. with pituitary
problems.
Good luck and don't give up! You are the
patient.
I ended up seeing 2 neurosurgeons. I didn't know at that time what
questions to ask and thought all neurosurgeons were the same (I thought the same
with Endocrinologists). I just didn't feel right with the first one even though
he was a very nice person. Call it intuition. I talked with my doctor's nurse
practitioner who got on the internet and found my Neurosurgeon at Emory. She
found others but I decided to check this one out first because he was only 2
hours away. He did this type surgery often and after talking with him I felt
good about everything and literally put my life in his hands. He did the surgery
a week later. When I awoke in surgery the pressure in my head was gone. That
alone was worth it all. I at first had an Endo. at Emory. I soon afterwards
found one 30 minutes away that is a fantastic doctor and treats me, during
my time with her, as though I am very important, explains all my test results,
answers my questions and doesn't rush me through.
