Patient Story - Adrenal Gland Removal Surgery

Due to a tumor, Adam needed his Adrenal Gland removed. Adam describes his experiences working with Dr. Fraiman and his team of specialist at the Liver and Pancreas Center of University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center.
To learn more about Dr. Mark Fraiman or the Liver and Pancreas Center, visit www.liverandpancreassurgeon.com

[@michellehaynes7055]

3 years ago I ended up in hospital with painful stomach cramps ,after a CT scan they sent me for an internal ultras can but found nothing, the last 12 months I've had no energy I can't even walk to the end of my street which is only 4 houses away now after another CT scan they found a nodule on my adrenal gland im going to have more tests in next few weeks I pray it's not what I had 3 years ago still and no one picked it up till now, I pray I'm as lucky as you and I hope to get my life back cause I'm sick of being sick and having no energy. thanks for the info and good luck.

[@icon.2158]

Michelle haynes hi, saw your post. Curious on your progress, was told the same thing here....looking for similarities.

[@izz5946]

..How did it go for you... im in the position today... worried like crazy

[@godschild3640]

@@izz5946 I have stage four non-small cell lung cancer and I was on immunotherapy called KETRUDA , IT IS ATTACKING MY ADRENAL GLAND IN MY UPPER KIDNEYS AND I HAVE AN INFECTION THEY THINK IN MY ADRENAL GLAND. I’VE BEEN SUFFERING NOW FOR EIGHT MONTHS AND COULD BARELY STAND OUTSIDE. I WENT FROM 158 POUNDS TO 126 POUNDS TODAY LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYBODY THAT HAS A THYROID PROBLEM OR CORTISOL PROBLEM PROBLEM. I HOPE JESUS COMES BECAUSE HE CAN MAKE US BETTER. I HOPE YOU’RE ALL ALIVE. I HOPE Y’ALL SEE THIS AND SOMEBODY LOVES YOU. THAT’S ME, BUT JESUS LOVES YOU MORE. ✝️

[@jvanhaf]

My 8 year old just had both of his adrenal gland’s removed. We knew something was wrong months before and doctors couldn’t find anything that was wrong! Until one day he got really sick and we thought he had the flu. Then on day 2 of being sick he ended up in the emergency room where he started having seizures,they did every test know you man at one hospital to be sent to another where the finally did an ultrasound and found masses on both adrenal gland’s. He’s had them both removed and now is on steroids for the rest of his life!

[@annwhite67]

May I ask how is your son coping now. Does the steroids maintain his blood pressure?

[@dadmichaelp]

Years of this now. Back in ICU now with uncontrolled BP. Urine testing started. I’ve got every symptom. Worse though is the adrenaline bursts. Heart rate steady at 90+ during episodes. I need a break so badly.

[@shannonelliott8902]

You might have Primary Aldosterone like me.

[@KayKay-xc6zg]

My mom has Pseudo-Pheocromocytoma , she is desperate for help. She has an appt at Duke next month, praying for help🙏🙏

[@KayKay-xc6zg]

My mom has Pseudo-Pheocromocytoma , she is desperate for help. She has an appt at Duke next month, praying for help🙏🙏

[@ravenmoon1165]

I have a 4.4 x 3.6cm ademona on left adrenal. Dr Carling in Tampa will take care of it with mcbs surgery hopefully. Should take an hour w a week recovery.

[@victoriagray3925]

How is this patient today?

[@tinatinm]

How is he doing?

[@kchilz32]

My doctor's just ignores me.

[@ZXY86]

kchilz32 go to another doctor!

[@notconfused1676]

Mine did too, for 4 years! After being in the ICU for 19 days with a vascular dissection and out of control BP. They told me adrenal gland tumor was quite normal!! I’ve been miserable for years.

[@kchilz32]

@@notconfused1676 when you say vascular dissection, do you mean an Aortic dissection? Did you have an aortic aneurysm? Was is thoracic or abdominal? I have mild aneurysm at the aortic root. Also finally got my adrenal checked and the cyst has stayed the same, no growth or activity.

[@richardwaring3980]

Go Ravens!

[@luminitagheorghe6163]

My adrenal hurt so much...is cancer?

[@mohdnasir5140]

Page 143 What are 'about 30 steroid hormones' secreted by the adrenal outer layer, or cortex? 1 Aldosterone 2 Cortisone 3 Hydrocortisone 4 . . . 30

[@martytrout6252]

I had a 4x6 inch tumor that started from my adrenal gland then ended up at my kidney. Had surgery in Aug. 20 at UCSF. They took out the adrenal gland, gallbladder, half of my kidney, and a sliver of the lining of the kidney. I'm doing great, not looking forward to starting Mitotane.

[@nadasaleh3293]

This is a lot. I had a tumor about 25*23 cm which 9*9 inches they took it out with just adrenal gland. My surgery was in Iowa state university, where was your surgery? And how are you doing now?

[@gracelyncamorongan6041]

@@nadasaleh3293 How are you now

[@nadasaleh3293]

@@gracelyncamorongan6041 I am good thanks for your asking, sometimes I struggle with cortisone and ACTH hormones.and low blood pressure.but I am ok. I plan to have another CT scan to see if I have a new one, I hope not 😅. I am doing Keto with fasting to keep myself healthy as much as I can. Thanks again

[@gracelyncamorongan6041]

@@nadasaleh3293 Good know that you are so blessed ...mine is 15.5 cm and still on the process of different labtest before going to nxt procedure.God bless ang thank you for answering me

[@nadasaleh3293]

@@gracelyncamorongan6041 Oh I am sorry for you. My tumor was benign, what about yours? I hope to be benign too. I will keep you in my prayers 🙏 which hospital are you going? My surgery was in Iowa state university USA .

[@GAOYARNI]

My father was diagnosed as Adrenal cortical carcinoma by radiologist. But the physician give differential diagnosis as pheochromocytoma because his 24 hour urine metanephrine test was 3 folds higher than normal one. Now the surgeon is on leave and he said the operation is not urgent and can wait at most 6 months because size is 4.7cm x 4.1cm Is it okay to wait that long?

[@idontcare1481]

Mine was benign so I couldn’t possibly tell you about anything other than my operation. How is your Dad?

[@nygirl5]

Not all adrenal adenomas are cancerous. Cat scans can show if benign or malignant properties

[@BoggWeasel]

Unfortunately, a CAT scan cannot show if a tumor is cancerous or not. Pre-OP The only way to tell is a biopsy done with a very fine needle. How do I know? I've had both adrenals removed, but not at the same time. Both had masses larger than an inch. The first one was without a biopsy, but I was presenting symptoms that indicated some kind of adrenal dysfunction and the decision was to remove it. It was only after it was removed and examined in the lab was it able to be determined if the tumor was cancerous or not. Ditto the second one.... Biopsy of the Adrenal can be very risky, which is why the cancer diagnosis is usually done post-Op

[@idontcare1481]

@@BoggWeasel I too had my adrenal gland removed but only 1 because of a large mass. The way you explained how they did your first one was exactly how they did mine. Fortunately mine was benign. How are you surviving with no adrenal glands? What medicines do you take? We’re you on steroids a lot during your life? I hope you don’t mind the questions. Thank you

[@BoggWeasel]

​@@idontcare1481 Never been on steroids but now I have to take Aldosterone tabs and daily injections 3 sometimes 4 times a day of solu-cortef (hydrocortisone) steroids... Tabs didn't work for me which was discovered when I had an "adrenal crisis" 3 months after the OP and ended up in the ICU. Until 18 months ago I did all right with just one adrenal for about 8 years, no meds, everything normal, didn't even notice. Zero adrenals was a real game changer for sure. Overnight, lack of stamina, low blood pressure sometimes as low as 65 almost daily which puts the bollox on driving and quite a few other things like planning events, (will I make it through the movie without passing out?) and even setting up projects like a "Honey do" list is dodgy as I never know how I'll be feeling from day to day. It buggers up your moods a bit and sometimes the head's not as clear as it should be making it hard to concentrate or focus on anything but really simple things or tasks. There definitely are good days where everything co-operates, BP is fine, head is clear, and I don't feel tired (hooray!). Kind of just have to make the best of it and take life one day at a time. I guess the best thing was, neither mass was cancerous. That's about the fewest words I can use without going into depth of my med history and describing in detail my daily and family life and of course, thank you for asking and taking an interest...And cherish that one adrenal you have, it really is your friend.

[@BoggWeasel]

@@idontcare1481 PS. Finding a good Endo is paramount. Endos with experience and knowledge in managing Addisons' and bilateral adrenalectomy are rarer than rocking horse poop. Even in the general medical practice community at large, knowledge of and experience with Addison's is grossly lacking. I'm still looking. I guess when you're one in one hundred thousand in a for profit driven medical system......

[@idontcare1481]

@@BoggWeasel Bogg I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I wish we were friends. Thank you for the good advice. If I had to guess I’d guess you are in the UK? I’m in Maryland and didn’t know U of MD is probably where I should be going. I had my surgery at Johns Hopkins which is a very good hospital as well. I have been on high doses of steroids (prednisone) but since I was 23 and I’m now 55 for Crohn’s disease and always wondered was that a contributor to the tumor on my adrenal gland. I am guessing no. I believe the cortisone you mention is pretty much the same thing as steroids. If not, they are similar. I do hope your drs can get you as back to normal as possible so you can drive and get things done. The blood pressure so low sounds scarey. I’ve always wondered will I know if I have adrenal crisis I’ve read about and by what you’ve described I’ll know. I do really hope you get better and I’ll say a prayer for you. I’m greatful to have spoken with you. Feel better friend. Thank you so much.

[@Etrician55]

I have an adrenal adenoma i have 0 energy, get head aches and get really dizzy and am in a severe brain fog, i need to get it removed im just hoping to get back to my life cause right now its causing me to be suicidal

[@amberrice9913]

I just had an adrenalectomy I felt the same way you did. 1 week today Im grateful for Dr Larissa Coleman

[@AlarisH]

I have the same problem and I'm getting surgery next Tuesday and I'm excited actually. I'm tired of being tired.

[@AlarisH]

@@amberrice9913 How do you feel now?

[@mercykaruchia]

@@AlarisH ,I felt this comment... I can identify with it

[@kchilz32]

@@AlarisH how are you now?

[@annwhite67]

I had surgery three weeks ago. No cancer but I had tumors on both glands. So I have a half of gland.

[@stefanradulescu8254]

How are you feeing today? Had my left gland removed as well due to a benign tumor… feeling like shit..

[@annwhite67]

@@stefanradulescu8254 I am feeling quite well. It took about three weeks for the pain to go away. Just give it a little time.