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...
Hey Guys!
Been skimming the forums for a few months now. Thanks for all the insight and anecdotes.
Basically my story is was a social extrovert/slightly addictive personality when cracks started appearing in the seams of my confidence. This got worse and worse and of course eventually I found out I had a prolactinoma. Went to see an endocrinologist, and got on cabergoline. Over the course of a few months I have definitely developed an off the charts impulse control disorder which at times definitely borders on paranoid schizophrenia, which of course has made my anxiety much worse. Initially, when I asked my endocrinologist about surgery, she said the neurosurgeons would laugh at us because I only have a microadenoma. Of course when I found a neurosurgeon 6 months later, he had me scheduled for surgery within a week. lol. Oh, life.
At any rate, what do you guys think - do you think eventually the restoral of hormonal imbalance and getting off this crazy (for me) drug will cause the intense deer in the headlights/can't laugh screech and halt anxiety to dissipate? Any advice? I know I am summarizing here; let me know if you need more info. Also want to clarify that I know cabergoline works like a charm for a lot of people, but for me it has taken me to very dark places - 3 pack a day smoking habit, thousands spent on stuff ostensibly to get me closer to feeling cool and good, and a weird series of interactions with a group of people here in my city that frankly I don't even want to get into, but it was awful.
Wish me luck guys - I appreciate your support and this community, and if there's anything I can do, let me know. I will definitely do my best to follow up, as I think there's a shortage of long term followups to the initial "omg my life is so messed up" introductory messages. I am in it to win it, and provided I do in fact win it, you bet I will let you guys know the scoop. Thanks!
Been skimming the forums for a few months now. Thanks for all the insight and anecdotes.
Basically my story is was a social extrovert/slightly addictive personality when cracks started appearing in the seams of my confidence. This got worse and worse and of course eventually I found out I had a prolactinoma. Went to see an endocrinologist, and got on cabergoline. Over the course of a few months I have definitely developed an off the charts impulse control disorder which at times definitely borders on paranoid schizophrenia, which of course has made my anxiety much worse. Initially, when I asked my endocrinologist about surgery, she said the neurosurgeons would laugh at us because I only have a microadenoma. Of course when I found a neurosurgeon 6 months later, he had me scheduled for surgery within a week. lol. Oh, life.
At any rate, what do you guys think - do you think eventually the restoral of hormonal imbalance and getting off this crazy (for me) drug will cause the intense deer in the headlights/can't laugh screech and halt anxiety to dissipate? Any advice? I know I am summarizing here; let me know if you need more info. Also want to clarify that I know cabergoline works like a charm for a lot of people, but for me it has taken me to very dark places - 3 pack a day smoking habit, thousands spent on stuff ostensibly to get me closer to feeling cool and good, and a weird series of interactions with a group of people here in my city that frankly I don't even want to get into, but it was awful.
Wish me luck guys - I appreciate your support and this community, and if there's anything I can do, let me know. I will definitely do my best to follow up, as I think there's a shortage of long term followups to the initial "omg my life is so messed up" introductory messages. I am in it to win it, and provided I do in fact win it, you bet I will let you guys know the scoop. Thanks!
The other aspect of your question requires a much deeper look. With any addictions or attempts to feel good from "external" sources, I can only share my own experience of that, which is that it never works. They are just different ways in which we desperately try to "fill the void."
For me, I must go inward. I must learn to truly love & accept myself & others as is. It's an ongoing challenge!! ha ha We must relinquish judgement, let go of all guilt, desire to express the Truth of who & what we really are, which I believe, simply put, is Love. We must be willing to "die" to who we think we are, to experience the Magnificence of what we really are.
Let go of your ego/image. Stop trying to maintain & make grander the persona you've created. There is such freedom in that. Know that you are enough. These are not always easy things to practice & of course, as always, I need to take my own advice :) If any of this resonates with you, great, & if not, just disregard it, no biggie.
I believe we have our own answers, if we would take the time to listen... Be Still. In this busy, crazy, fast world that may not be the "cool" thing to do, but really, it is the only thing to do. Inspired actions & directives will come from it, along with a quiet strength & different kind of confidence than the one you've been chasing. I read once that, "The answer is contained within the question."
I TRULY wish you a Safe & Successful surgery. I pray that your pituitary restores itself 110% & your hormones come into perfect balance. I also pray that you make loving choices for yourself now & in the many days to come.
BEST WISHES... Good Luck, Good Luck, Good Luck!!
Sorry if that's too corny, haha! Much love to ya homies.