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 started the Depo shot when I was 17 and took it for a few years. I'm 33 now. Starting around 24 or so my periods started come less and less frequently to the point where I haven't had one in probably three or four years. A few years ago when I had insurance, I had a full woman exam and they said my prolactin levels were very high. I was referred to a reproductive endocrinologist, but my insurance didn't cover it so I didn't go.
A few weeks ago I went to speak with a new doctor about meds for my OCD/anxiety and she ordered blood work when I told her I hadn't had a period in quite some time. Again, my prolactin levels came back extremely high, in the 150s and she is ordering an MRI and again a referral to an endocrinologist.
Aside from not having a period, my vision is the only thing that I think could be an issue due to prolactin. I have what I call "after image". If I look at something and then look away, especially a light, I can still see it for awhile. I've had several eye exams and they've never found anything wrong.
Anyway, I'm just super scared that it could be a tumor. Is there even a chance with my levels that high that it could not be a tumor? I'm absolutely petrified of the thought of surgery.
My biological clock is ticking so loud I'm surprised other people don't hear it. Do I have a chance of ever having a child? With or without a tumor, with or without surgery?
Like I said, I already deal with OCD and anxiety and this is not helping either.
A few weeks ago I went to speak with a new doctor about meds for my OCD/anxiety and she ordered blood work when I told her I hadn't had a period in quite some time. Again, my prolactin levels came back extremely high, in the 150s and she is ordering an MRI and again a referral to an endocrinologist.
Aside from not having a period, my vision is the only thing that I think could be an issue due to prolactin. I have what I call "after image". If I look at something and then look away, especially a light, I can still see it for awhile. I've had several eye exams and they've never found anything wrong.
Anyway, I'm just super scared that it could be a tumor. Is there even a chance with my levels that high that it could not be a tumor? I'm absolutely petrified of the thought of surgery.
My biological clock is ticking so loud I'm surprised other people don't hear it. Do I have a chance of ever having a child? With or without a tumor, with or without surgery?
Like I said, I already deal with OCD and anxiety and this is not helping either.
Lots of people seem to tolerate the medication well and the tumour doesn't affect their lives that badly. The people writing on here are here because it has had a detrimental effect on their lives but it doesn't mean we are representative.
Try to stay positive xx
I also was on birth control from the time I was 16 until 28, and BAM Im diagnosed with a pituitary tumor? I dont think its a coincidence.....
I think there is a thread that I may have started on here that had a bunch of women who took bitrh control of some sort and then were diagnosed with pituitary tumors.