Prolactinoma Support Group
A prolactinoma is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland that produces a hormone called prolactin. It is the most common type of pituitary tumor. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused by too much prolactin in the blood or by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues. Prolactin stimulates the breast to produce milk during pregnancy. After delivery of the baby, a mother's...
I'm a 43 year old male recently diagnosed with a prolactinoma. I'm on Dostinex and seem to be responding well--after 3 months, my prolactin and IGF-1 levels are in the normal range. However, the tumor seems to have messed up my testosterone levels. My endo put me on Testim for a few months, and I reacted pretty well--I felt steady, no great ups and downs like before but still not as virile as I would have liked to feel. However, I broke out in a terrible rash after two months on Testim. So now I'm on injections, and it's just a different ball game. I feel okay for about four or five days afterward, but then I really start to hit bottom. Major depression, no energy, a complete feeling of having no enthusiasm for anything. And I have to wait a whole week for another injection! I've been thinking about going on the patch but am concerned I would just end up allergic as with the gel. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any other suggestions?
I'm a 48 year old male and have the same problem with testosterone levels. As I understand it, that's the nature of the prolactin -- it suppresses testosterone. I'm on Cabergoline for the prolactin.
I tried the gel therapy, and while it worked, my testosterone levels were still short of the normal range.
I'm now on bi-monthly injections and have not noticed the symptoms that you are describing. For me, the injections have really stabilized all of the wonderful roller-coaster swings I experienced before --- and to a lesser extent ---on the gel.
Have you suggested to your Endo / Dr. that your testosterone levels be checked a week after the injection? That should tell you something.
Here's hoping that you find a resolution quickly, and can get back to some sense of normalcy.