cheribird44
01-10-2008, 12:56 PM
Hi All,
I have been diagnosed with a tumor on my pituitary gland, and I'm scheduled for surgery the end of Febuary. Has anyone else had this? What should I expect as far as the surgery, and the healing process? I'm absolutley terrified, so any feedback would be very welcomed. Thank you!
I have been diagnosed with a tumor on my pituitary gland, and I'm scheduled for surgery the end of Febuary. Has anyone else had this? What should I expect as far as the surgery, and the healing process? I'm absolutley terrified, so any feedback would be very welcomed. Thank you!
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twanger
01-10-2008, 09:15 PM
My sister in law had this surgery about three years ago and she is doing fine.
She stayed in the hospital for about 3 days but was up and about in a day.
I don't think that she took much for pain and in a week she was out and about.
It was not too bad for her. I hope that it is the same for you. She is doing really well now.
She stayed in the hospital for about 3 days but was up and about in a day.
I don't think that she took much for pain and in a week she was out and about.
It was not too bad for her. I hope that it is the same for you. She is doing really well now.
cheribird44
01-11-2008, 10:53 AM
Thank you. I'm sooo concerned about all of the possibilities, it's comforting to hear about one that went easy. :)
twanger
01-11-2008, 11:05 AM
It was very easy. I was surprised because I thought that it would be terrible. It wasn't. However, she had a Neurosurgeon that deals with this issue only.
I guess that it is important to have a good surgeon. I hope that is your case.
Good luck and I hope that things go smoothly for you.
I guess that it is important to have a good surgeon. I hope that is your case.
Good luck and I hope that things go smoothly for you.
cheribird44
01-11-2008, 11:09 AM
I think he's good. Thanks again. :)
Bengie
01-11-2008, 02:24 PM
Hi All,
I have been diagnosed with a tumor on my pituitary gland, and I'm scheduled for surgery the end of Febuary. Has anyone else had this? What should I expect as far as the surgery, and the healing process? I'm absolutley terrified, so any feedback would be very welcomed. Thank you!
I had pit surgery nearly 3 years ago now. They go through the nose so no scaring. you will lose your sense of smell for a while so food will have hardly any taste at all. Only thing I could taste was key lime yogurt.
I spent 3 days in ICU and 1 day in a normal room. Normally it is only a couple of days in the ICU but due to the surgery the part of the pit that controls the kidneys got stuck on and I was basically peeing out every bit of fluid in my body. Had to be put on a hormone pill temporarally to control that (jsut a couple of days). My blood sugar was also really high and they thought I was going to need insulin also but as I got better the levels dropped back to normal.
Pain wise. Its only bad for the first 2 weeks. Feels like being hit with a bat right betweent between teh eyes. Felt like the worse headache I've ever had. Couldnt' stand light. like daggers in my eyes. liked in the dark for that first couple of weeks (natural light wasn't as bad but florescent light or light from the tv ouch).
Went off the pain pills at 3 weeks and started using Advil. Was driving myself around and going out to dinner for short periods but was really tiring. 4th week I was nearly back to my old self. Got the nose splint taken out and my headache reduced drastically and I could smell again. just a little but still a little was bette then nothing. (it all comes back)
back at work the 5th week. thought I should have stayed out 6 weeks. really wasn't worth anything at work. lol.
be prepared for a lot of blood and muscos coming from you nose for the first 3 weeks. if when you change your nose bandage. should be done everyday. you notice a clear ring around the bloody area you should call the doc. this might mean the fat plug they used to fill the holes in your skull witha re failing and your leaking spinal fluid (not a good thing).
good luck
I have been diagnosed with a tumor on my pituitary gland, and I'm scheduled for surgery the end of Febuary. Has anyone else had this? What should I expect as far as the surgery, and the healing process? I'm absolutley terrified, so any feedback would be very welcomed. Thank you!
I had pit surgery nearly 3 years ago now. They go through the nose so no scaring. you will lose your sense of smell for a while so food will have hardly any taste at all. Only thing I could taste was key lime yogurt.
I spent 3 days in ICU and 1 day in a normal room. Normally it is only a couple of days in the ICU but due to the surgery the part of the pit that controls the kidneys got stuck on and I was basically peeing out every bit of fluid in my body. Had to be put on a hormone pill temporarally to control that (jsut a couple of days). My blood sugar was also really high and they thought I was going to need insulin also but as I got better the levels dropped back to normal.
Pain wise. Its only bad for the first 2 weeks. Feels like being hit with a bat right betweent between teh eyes. Felt like the worse headache I've ever had. Couldnt' stand light. like daggers in my eyes. liked in the dark for that first couple of weeks (natural light wasn't as bad but florescent light or light from the tv ouch).
Went off the pain pills at 3 weeks and started using Advil. Was driving myself around and going out to dinner for short periods but was really tiring. 4th week I was nearly back to my old self. Got the nose splint taken out and my headache reduced drastically and I could smell again. just a little but still a little was bette then nothing. (it all comes back)
back at work the 5th week. thought I should have stayed out 6 weeks. really wasn't worth anything at work. lol.
be prepared for a lot of blood and muscos coming from you nose for the first 3 weeks. if when you change your nose bandage. should be done everyday. you notice a clear ring around the bloody area you should call the doc. this might mean the fat plug they used to fill the holes in your skull witha re failing and your leaking spinal fluid (not a good thing).
good luck
cheribird44
01-11-2008, 02:35 PM
Wow. Sounds a little scary, but, I guess it's better than going blind. Thank you for sharing your story, it's good that I get both sides, the good and the bad. Good to prepare or worse case senario, as I do with everything. ;)
Bengie
01-11-2008, 05:27 PM
Wow. Sounds a little scary, but, I guess it's better than going blind. Thank you for sharing your story, it's good that I get both sides, the good and the bad. Good to prepare or worse case senario, as I do with everything. ;)
mines more middle of the road then bad side.
mines more middle of the road then bad side.
twanger
01-11-2008, 05:56 PM
My sister in law had nothing like that. She was in a regular room right after the surgery and went home in 2 days. This was done on November 19th and she went out to dinner on Thanksgiving.
She did not have packing when she went home but did need to watch the bleeding. I think that she did have discharge for about a week.
I know that she slept a lot for a couple of days after she got home but was up and around after that.
She did not suffer like the previous lady. I guess that everyone is different and our bodies react differently.
I hope that you have my SIL's experience.
She did not have packing when she went home but did need to watch the bleeding. I think that she did have discharge for about a week.
I know that she slept a lot for a couple of days after she got home but was up and around after that.
She did not suffer like the previous lady. I guess that everyone is different and our bodies react differently.
I hope that you have my SIL's experience.
cheribird44
01-11-2008, 06:12 PM
well, hopefully all goes well, thanks for everything. I'm sure most of my concern is just mental, building it up to be more than it is.
revival
01-12-2008, 09:10 PM
Hi. It sounds as if you have a 'functionless pituitary tumour'. If so, the operation will probably be a transsphenoidal approach. Make sure you are treated at a specialised centre - one that does hundreds of these procedures per year. The procedure is very safe and patients are usually up and about just 24-hours after surgery. You will need follow-up by Endocrinologists to check your hormone levels and pituitary function.
If you have a prolactin-secreting tumour, there is a non-surgical treatment and you should be aware of this.
If you have a prolactin-secreting tumour, there is a non-surgical treatment and you should be aware of this.
cheribird44
01-13-2008, 01:51 PM
It is a functionless tumor. The doctor I have is a specialist in just pituitary gland tumors, and it's being done at a regular hospital, I believe. :)
revival
01-14-2008, 10:13 AM
It is a functionless tumor. The doctor I have is a specialist in just pituitary gland tumors, and it's being done at a regular hospital, I believe. :)
It sounds like you have fufilled my criteria. It will be nowhere near as bad as you think it will be.Trust me. I have 30-odd years in this business! You'll be OK, and those headaches / blurred visions will be a thing of the past!
It sounds like you have fufilled my criteria. It will be nowhere near as bad as you think it will be.Trust me. I have 30-odd years in this business! You'll be OK, and those headaches / blurred visions will be a thing of the past!