Hi, you have just mentioned that you feel like your pregnancy kickstarted your symtoms and elevated IGF1. That is exactly when I think my acromegaly started. When I look back at pictures of myself, my face looks course during my pregnancy. Always before I had refined lines to my face. If you do have acromegaly I hope you get diagnosed early. Mine went on for 13years and then wham, you have a pituitary tumor. Actually, if I hadn't insisted on a MRI for my headaches and face pain I would probably still be undiagnosed. My diagnosis came about backwards, MRI and then pituitary workup. By then my growth hormone and IGF1 were very high. As far as external looks, face looked very course, fingers were very thick, teeth on bottom developed spaces and also developed and underbite. I remember becoming very stiff in joints, esp hips, spine and knees. I could not get up from a sitting position and move around. I was stooped over like an old Chinese grandfather. Several times remember waking up at night with severe pains (I don't know how else to explain except felt like severe bone pains in shoulders, back, hips) I would go to bathroom and cry out of desperation, not knowing what was wrong with me and no one knowing what was wrong with me. Hot water and long soaks in bathtub were my only solace. My blood pressure, blood fats and everything else was going out of wack. They were only interested in treating the symptoms. I told my GP that I would only feel better when I lay in a casket and meant it 100% Then finally the diagnosis. I was not afraid. The most wonderful feeling of relief came over me. I found my own surgeon in Pittsburgh.. I had surgery 3yrs ago. Everything normal now. I do hope for your sake that if you do have acro, an early diagnosis can be made. The symptoms are progressive but very slow and insiduous. |
