Re: Weight Gain (especially around the middle) Board Transfer

[MinnieChat]

New Message on Pituitary Chat Weight Gain (especially around the middle) Board Transfer Reply   Reply to Sender   Recommend Message 4 in Discussion From: MinnieChat Reply Recommend Delete    Message 14 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>PedsProf</NOBR> Sent: 4/17/2005 10:06 AM Wow, Tina -- you are right.  That is a big jump for your tiny frame  - and you're right, it is not as easy as 'just do it' (I know, Nike's slogan, not Dr Phil's).  Doctors are remarkably unaware of how pit issues affect weight.  Heck, pit issues can cause mood swings and depression independent of weight gain -- add weight gain to the mix and who wouldn't be depressed!  We can all help by making our doctors aware of what we experience, especially as obesity becomes such a huge health issue.    They risk getting so burned out on it that they may lump us in with all the others out of sheer frustration and misunderstanding, and that is not the answer.  We risk getting burned out by trying to help them listen and understand -- but we have to keep at it.   Just wanted to you to know that I sympathize -- you're not alone. Hang in there -- Good luck! Reply Recommend Delete    Message 15 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>mary_sutkowski</NOBR> Sent: 6/22/2005 7:34 PM I also suffer from high blood levels of Prolactin for the past 15 years that I definitely am aware of.   However, I was not aware definitively of my tumor until two years ago at which time I was placed on Dostinex, no longer could tolerate it, and now take Parlodel.  I also suffer from that excessive weight gain around the middle which makes the belly really protrude when you look at yourself sideways in a mirror and I feel bad yet my appetite has not changed that much, if anything has lessened slightly.  My Endocrinologist has followed me by having a 24 hr. urine tested to check for Cortisol levels which could contribute to that excess fat but came back normal. I still have the under active thyroid (hypothyroidism) but it is triggered by the Pituitary tumor though I get told it is benign.  I'd like to know how do they know it is BENIGN?   I have a long standing history of Migraine headaches and wonder it the tumor is what is really causing the pressure in my head.  Anyone else experience this? Reply Recommend Delete    Message 16 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>MinnieChat</NOBR> Sent: 6/27/2005 5:13 PM Actually, I was reading in a neuro book that an enlarging tumor can indeed put pressure on the dura that surrounds the brain and cause headaches... but then again, the hormone fluctuations can cause headaches too.   I hate the weight gain... around the middle. I joke at work that I've had my butt chewed on so much over the years, it decided to take refuge in my stomach (lol).   Minnie Reply Recommend Delete    Message 17 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>liltrubin</NOBR> Sent: 6/28/2005 1:06 PM Hi!   Hello Minnie and everyone else. I have had an issue with weight gain and that nasty area too. Nothing seemed to help. Diet pills the doctor nobody. Finally my Doc said to go on a 1200 calorie diet and I found out the 1200 calories is a lot of food if you chose wisely and I can still have Mac n' Cheese, cookies as long as I plan it correctly. I went on a one day fast (talk to your doctor) I did it on my own and then I magically, literally lost 10 lb. in three weeks. Something even starving myself did not work. I cannot explain it but it worked. I also gave up regular pop or soda depending on where you are from.   Take care and I know how hard it is. I am there with you!!!   Tina Reply Recommend Delete    Message 18 of 24 in Discussion  From: barbie Sent: 7/3/2005 11:00 AM hi. i have gained 55 pounds in 2 years and ALL of it went to my abdomen and thighs. im embarrased to say that some of the ladies at work have asked about a due date. i cant wear anything but large and loose fitting clothes becuase i really do look like im 7 or 8 mo. pregnant. cant lay out to get a tan or even go to the beach. i hate it. i eat like a bird and cant get rid of it. my non functioning hemorraged and caused me to lose ability to make hgh and im also secondary hypothyroidism. im so discusted with myself and i dont dare go out with anyone let alone try to find a love interest. im just watching life pass me by cause im so very odd shaped , have no energy to exercise, and am depressed because of it all. not enough though to need anti depressants. when next i see endo (oct) im going to demand something to assist with losing weight and i will also be demanding hgh. not having any measurable hgh mat be a cause of all of the weight gain. well i will have mri on 7/7 and i will let everyone know when results come in. i do know that latest blood work showed no hgh and thyroid had to be increased. see yall later. barb Recommend Delete    Message 19 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>KatyJude</NOBR> Sent: 7/3/2005 1:45 PM I think I emailed you once before; I can't say enough about how well I am feeling and that is from the changes made by new endo in Calif.  Yes, I had to travel across the country to get to him but it was so worth it.  I am currently on growth hormone (genotropin) and can't believe the difference.  It is not an "instant" fat loser but day by day you lose fat -- you need a stim test to make sure that is the cause of the fat, though.  I did not have any problems getting my insurance to pay for the stim test or the growth hormone.   I also have secondary hypothyroidism and no FSH or LH and no cortisol as I am in adrenal insufficiency from the pituitary surgery as well as diabetes.   I would never do pit surgery again before seeing an "expert" in pituitary failure.  Ellie Ann Reply Recommend Delete    Message 20 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>liltrubin</NOBR> Sent: 7/3/2005 7:09 PM Dear Barbie:   Your story is breaking my heart and I do not know if it is because your telling my story or if I just want to give you a hug and tell you that "I love you!" I had success on a weight loss medication that has a side effect of an antidepressant called Meridia. You cannot use it if you have high blood pressure and need to be monitored. My IGF-1 level bounces between 88 and a whopping 96. I gained weight on HGH but the gentleman in our group have helped me with that.   I had my husband ask me if I was pregnant...and he was serious. I have also had people ask me when I was going to make the big announcement! I thought a tumor was a pretty big announcement!!!   I truly with I was with you right now so we could have a good cry together. I have problems with my vestibular system so exercise is difficult on me. I try exercising in bed and really limiting my diet to 1200 calories helped a lot and I stopped starving myself with salads.   Sending you lots of love and hugs. I lost 10 lbs recently and put two back on so it can happen. I could not lose for a couple of years. Hang in there!!!   Lots of Love, Tina Reply Recommend Delete    Message 21 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>KatyJude</NOBR> Sent: 7/4/2005 1:33 PM After a pituitary surgery that seemed successful at first, I finally saw another endo who did a growth hormone stim test on me -- I am completely growth hormone deficient, as well as having central hypothyroidism, no FSH or LH, no testosterone no DHEA, as well as diabetic and adrenal insufficent from the surgery.  I am beginning the 5th week of growth hormone and can tell you the sub-q injections have really made a difference.  I have lost a whole size -- my stomach is gradually going down and I have all the energy in the world.  A good endocrinologist makes all the difference in the world.  If the one who is treating you now isn't getting anywhere, go to someone else even if it means flying out of state to do so. I was at the point of buying maternity clothes as I was gaining so much visceral weight.   Ellie Reply Recommend Delete    Message 22 of 24 in Discussion  From: <NOBR>LeslyeA</NOBR> Sent: 10/16/2005 9:09 PM How long did it take after you being on dostinex for you to see and feel results? Especially loosing weight?   Thanks--Leslye Reply Recommend Delete    Message 24 of 24 in Discussion  From: Lynelle Sent: 11/20/2005 9:42 PM I'm sure by now you've figured out that this isn't due to age.  I'm 42 and was diagnosed with my pit tumor at age 9, back in the old days when they'd just started frying them with radiation.  Unfortunately, the pituitary gland got fried as well and I make absolutely no hormones on my own.  I started gaining the weight around the abdomen right away.  I don't know if it's a side-effect from being on steroids like  prednisone or hydrocortisone (I've tried them all over the years) or if it's due to insufficient hormones such as thyroid, cortisol, growth hormone, etc.  I only took growth hormones to finish growing and haven't taken them since, although I have been on thyroid, cortisone and estrogens most of my life.  Without them I'd be in adrenal failure, have no thyroid in my system and never menstruate on my own.  It took me a few years to get my endo to switch me from synthroid to armour thyroid and I've been given the brush-off every time I mention the growth hormone, but I'm going to go in demanding it at next February's annual appointment.  I'm confused however about side effects as I've read some people mentioning that they've experienced weight gain and weight loss being on the growth hormone and would like to find out what more people have experienced.  Either way, I'm definitely GH deficient and want to be on it, fear of needles or not  Wishing us all luck, Lynelle View other groups in this category. 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