Pituitary Tumors: Brain Tumors 101

[@johnnyazer5779]

Hello Stanford, I have had a pituitary tumor since diagnosed in Rutland Vermont on May 12, 2003. The PC and also Dartmouth neurosurgeons said it was too risky to do transphenoidal and that I would have serious problems. Since living in Burlington Vermont, any time I have complained about the tumor, which is now a macroadenoma, since 2008, noone will do even anything at all here at UVM medical center in Burlington. They have told me not to worry about it, be lucky it has not killed me, or BS that pills will boost sugar levels. I appealed to neurosurgery directly and they had patient advocates call me. Nowhere. THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. I have all types of symptoms in which they said is a mental problem. Lots know here but noone cares or not their problem in Vermont.

[@vettejakes]

That was the most informative video I’ve seen on this topic. Thank you very much. You are an excellent teacher on this subject!

[@terrieseverson6346]

I have stage 3b kidney disease which is fairly under control. In the last 8 mo. I’ve acquired an electrolyte imbalance that was critical and I spent 14 days in the hospital, 5 of which we’re doing rehab to relearn balance, memory, and dexterity issues. After months of generally stable blood test, I started getting enormous edema with weeping in my legs and feet. Diuretics helped but they critically lowered my sodium and potassium levels and had to be stopped. Of course the swelling is back and diuretics in small amounts are holding the edema from getting worse. Now, I’m producing high levels( 93.4 ) of PTH and low levels ( < 5.0 ) of ACTH which were never high in the past as I get blood draws every month.. I can’t get into the university’s ( referred to by four of my specialists) endocrinologist until Aug., which is 5 mo. away. Could I be experiencing a posterior pituitary tumor or is it just a reaction to my four autoimmune diseases? Is there a specific MRI or sonogram to rule out a tumor? I did appreciate your very informative video that peeked my curiosity.

[@gonnacry442]

I came here to hear about the TSH one and boy did i quietly yelp in pain when he skipped it

[@larissacosmos7041]

Me too..I had a TSH in may of 28.5 & have macro adenoma 2mm on my pituitary stalk...ugh

[@kellyismyname777]

I take Bromocriptine for mine, as I couldn't afford Cabergoline. And wow...this tumour difficult to deal with sometimes, hormone wise... I have the rare case of producing testosterone as well. As my Endocrinologist would always check my face and chest for hair growth...fun wow! I am female. I was diagnosed with a prolactinoma...Pituitary micro adenoma. I also have low blood pressure and can find myself in a bit of a pickle with fainting/passing out. Some of my symptoms prior to diagnosis were: Hyperhydrosis/excessive sweating, super intense headaches, peripheral vision loss, breast milk production (long after being pregnant), weight gain from pregnancy (hypothyroidism) and the opposite Hyperthyroidism (weight loss)...been super skinny most of my life...until I became pregnant...then my prolactin levels went through the roof as well... When I first went on Bromocriptine, my weight went back to normal. Now that I am getting older, everything is changing yet again. 🙄🙄🙄 I was told if I did the surgery, through the nasal cavity (left), that the chances of it regrowing were extremely common and that it would. My next option was to have the entire pituitary removed and take synthetic hormones. Anyone with advice or natural supplements to cope with adverse affects would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Kelly from Ontario Canada

[@vicky-s4c9x]

Thanks for explaining it all so clearly. Had an olfactory meningioma surgery 10 years ago and it took me 2 years before my energy returned and nobody explained it so well as you did

[@jessicaelizabeth8603]

Great video! I have a brain tumor/adenoma on my pituitary gland, & it's releasing multiple hormones...first prolactin, then TSH3 & TSH4, now my ACTH, & I'm pre-diabetic, and have hypothyroidism but my heart rate was 180 beats per minute so my doctor was afraid to put me on something to help with my thyroid because he said it can make the Tachichardia/fast heartbeat worse. I'm on a beta blocker to slow down my heart. It's now to find out if I might have adddisons disease or cushing's disease, depending on my cortisol levels. Also have abnormal FSH...for about 4 years now, & it's getting worse. Any ideas? Bc I feel like I'm dying..How can one small brain tumor on my pituitary cause so much damage? When my mom.died at 55 she had hypopitutiarism, which I told my endocrinologist, but he isn't looking into adrenal insufficiency...& I have to take 2 birth control pills per say or else I'll continually bleed...& That's been going on & getting worse for about 4 years as well. I am.on cabergoline, which brought my prolactin down from 176 to 7, but I just feel so helpless to this, & I wish they would just do surgery to remove it...I think it's worth the risk, even if there's a chance it can stop 1 or 2 of my symptoms...when I have so many. I also have PTSD & idk how much more if this is can take. I'm.shaking, w tremors all over, or like a total zombie. It's just a mess. But thank you for the info! It's much appreciated. Hope you & your loved ones are safe/doing well! 🙏💕

[@erikaprothow178]

Hi Jessica, I am a Pituitary adenoma survivor. I have had the surgery 4 times. I live with my hormones unbalanced and always seeking natural ways to help in addition to the medicine. How are you doing? I pray better. Feel free to reach out. I empathize with anyone that is going through this or been through it.💕🙏🏾

[@teeski693]

Jessica, find another doctor, bless your heart. Sorry you’re going through all this.

[@kathrynbillinghurst188]

Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺 Jessica, I hope your well. Today my son’s GP has booked him in for an MRI, he’ll be 21 in December. I’m very worried as he’s had headaches for months now and cloudy wee for a few weeks! 🫤 I’m scared 😟 for him! I’ll keep you posted dear. 💖✌️

[@rsamom]

Hi Jessica my daughter also has the bleeding problem and she is also on 2 birth control pills

[@selmaamalou9086]

Sorry for asking but could you please tell me if you have hairloss problem ?

[@rswilson5207]

Seems my Swiss clock is broken. I’m one of the lucky ones with a pituitary tumour awaiting treatment during the COVID-19 times. Thanks for the info, doc.

[@gfcfightsgarcia5647]

If u can keep me posted I would appreciate it, I’m soon getting an open mri to check

[@rswilson5207]

Coach Garcia Vlogs I’ve got another mri scheduled for this Saturday morning. Toronto is moving slowly back to normality.

[@gfcfightsgarcia5647]

RS Wilson here in Texas it’s bad , and kinda scared because of Covid cases. We don’t really have very good surgeons or specialist here so I would have to travel to Houston or Dallas where it’s the two cities with many cases .

[@mattnoonan6519]

@@gfcfightsgarcia5647 if you're close to OKC, there is an incredible surgeon at OU that has done thousands of these surgeries.

[@gandhireddy5431]

@@gfcfightsgarcia5647 zC

[@frednurk6173]

Thanks, that was a clear explanation.

[@kathrynbillinghurst188]

I loved your Cushing’s moon face impersonation Doc 🤣🤣 ✌️ My son needs to go for an MRI, GP thinks it could be pituitary adenoma!

[@jasminefernandes4038]

Very good presentation

[@buffydog21]

I have had a brain tumor on my pituitary gland. I had a cystic component in front of my head. They put a ommaya reservoir to drain off the fluid. I had surgeries in 1989-1990 respectively. My brain tumor cystic component is growing again after 30+ years. I hope i get surgery through the nose, if they ever have to do surgery again. I had the gamma knife to stop the tumor in 1990. Luckily, i was 24 years-old, when I had my brain tumor and I didn't have gianticism.

[@blueomega2853]

Very informative, extremely knowledgeable Dr, I'm just curious, but the surgery through the nose I did not expect, but it does make sense if you think about it.

[@deedeeuribe193]

IL be having surgery to remove my second pituitary tumor. I've lost vision and now have kidney failure.

[@wundiascorneryoutubechanne7400]

Aww.. sorry about that, have you gone it,how did it go and how's your health now?

[@teresaantonio8896]

Very helpful

[@3gasman]

I was just diagnosed with pituitary tumor that was discovered through a MRI Next step is more blood work to determine extent. My testosterone levels are far too low for an adult male is why MRI was advised

[@burgerfc]

Hi, You also need to test your prolactin levels. It affects the testosterone levels. I had a MRI about 3 years ago with contrast and it had picked up a tumor which explained my elevated prolactin levels and might be the cause of my low testosterone levels. The medication didn't work because the side effects were horrible. They also don't want to operate because it's only 5mm in diameter. Probably bigger my now. The thing is never mind the size the effects its causing is terrible. Hope you get sorted

[@callmeic]

What did they find out? I just had the same finding after low T

[@3gasman]

@@callmeic I had successful surgery to remove the tumor through the nasal passage. Spent one night in hospital and released. Every two weeks I’m doing a self administered testosterone injection, and taking a daily thyroid medicine. I am now on yearly visits to my endocrinologist to check testosterone levels through blood lab work. All is good and my life is much better post surgery

[@fayazhussainian6735]

This is amazing, thanks

[@connie1000]

How did the surgery go? To all who responded to this

[@frednurk6173]

I had surgery 3 weeks ago. I've been lucky and it's all gone well. Was out of icu after 3 days home on the fourth day. Eyesight has noticebly improved already. Started a new job 2 weeks after op. May still have some pituitary issues (ongoing tests and pills etc). Some tumours are trickier than others, but it will work out best if you keep a positive attitude, relax and go with the flow. Very best wishes to everyone going through this.

[@craigschuette857]

I had transsphenoidal pituitary surgery a month ago to remove a non functioning pituitary macroadenoma. Like others, it took my breath away when my MRI revealed I had a "brain tumor". All surgeries come with risk but I had a very good outcome with my surgery. My surgery was performed by both an ENT and neurosurgeon. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, one night in ICU to monitor and then a step down room. My recovery has gone very well and I am back at work after 3 weeks - initially some headaches and now just congestion as I continue to heal. My recommendation is to find a surgical team who you are comfortable with and has experience with this type of surgery. Based on my outcome I am obviously glad I made the decision to have the surgery.

[@rbaffrey]

I had a pituitary tumor, a spindell cell oncocytoma, but they didn't perform this procedure for removal. For me, the surgeons went in through my skull. I truly wonder why. Maybe it was due to the tumor type. It's been 4 years now and I still have some issues related to the surgery. I still have a "soft spot" and a big scar where they peeled my scalp back to get to my skull. I was off work for 18 months, mostly because my memory was terribly affected in a bad way. I also became diabetic after the surgery.

[@ZyliceLiddell]

☹️

[@shatteringairfist191]

I heard the gland can regrow after partially removed. Is it true? They said some cases it will regenerate but also mostly never. Does it depend on the hand of the surgeon?

[@kristenjohnson9036]

What are your thoughts on a pituitary tumor that is resistant to cabergoline? My tumor has grown about 1mm per year. It’s about 10mm now. I’ve also had open heart surgery on 2 valves, and I’m sort of leaning towards just removing it. Thanks for your insight!

[@Vahe345]

Nice video! Thanks but I want to know what the hell does treat mean exactly? Does it completely get rid of the tumor or just shrink it? At least eventually? How long does it take best case scenario?

[@MrGarry128]

How long do patient has to take the medication to treat functioning prolactin tumor. Do they have side effects? Are the safe for person who has chronic hep B infection? Is surgery better then taking medication if tumor is 6x4 mm. Does surgery has long term effects? Whats the average cost of surgery and medication? Thank you 🙏🏼

[@ademinademuit1970]

The one million dollar question: how to prevent all of this?? You don’t get these problems from nowhere!

[@cxstrid]

mostly comes down to genetics

[@ademinademuit1970]

I say: lifestyle👊🏼

[@cxstrid]

@@ademinademuit1970 true

[@raineml2694]

I’m the first person in my family who is having thyroid issues and now pituitary gland tumor. I was in the military in 06’ when I needed my thyroid radiated for the first time, in the best shape of my life to add.

[@girlsguidetosurvival]

@@raineml2694 stress, I guess.

[@SheSoulGliden]

I had my tumorr adenoma removed . The best organic hormone replacements for a female

[@larissacosmos7041]

Do you take out of state patients? I live in Montana & I have a macro adenoma on my pituitary stalk..only 2mm, & my TSH was 28.5 in may..should I be concerned? Plus I lost my thyroid gland to papillary carcinoma...I dont see an endocrinologist til December..

[@Hereforthetea12]

Does a prolactin level of 54.7 mean there is a tumor?

[@foreveryoung4980]

maybe a good video, but I cannot hear anything..too bad(

[@sbusisomdletshe-l8s]

❤