Archive for the ‘Prolactinoma Follow-Up’ Category

How are you all today? My journey is continuing in a good direction.  I felt positive about my results. I have done my best with limiting sugar from my diet, by giving up chocolate for 5 months. ( I’m having some chocolate now, but not as addictive as daily!) Also my stress / anxiety levels are up and down depending on the circumstance, but with the help of Rescue Remedy and love and support of special people in my life I get through some obstacles that occur. Now onto my visit to the Endocrinologist. i’m very pleased to say that in 6 months my Prolactin levels have only increased by 55 (from 1040 ~ 1095. This is a small amount meaning that although its increased its stable but still well above the regular range of (0-500) .  This is really good for not being on any medication for my hormones. The endocrinologist is happy with the stability of my hormone levels, although has asked if I can gain 5-10 kilos to be more healthy in the next 6 months. I’m sorry but that is one thing that does annoy me when she wants me to be fat to be healthy. (Sorry if that offends anyone) but i’ve been slim all my life and the weight i’m at now is healthy for me, so unfortunately I refuse to attempt to double my food intake to gain weight and expand my waste-line to be healthy in the endocrinologists eyes!  I feel healthy, exercise daily, eat healthy, splurge occasionally and enjoy being happy within my own skin. I’m enjoying life. I have a great job working with the community, I’m a third of the way through my studies to becoming a counsellor and sharing my story with everyone who visits my site gives me joy that I can assist those with similar health concerns and those interested in my journey. Until my next post, I wish you all good health and harmony for now and the future. Just remember you are never alone with your troubles, there is always someone by your side whether it be family or friends to help you through your journey to happiness.

Well its coming up to 5 and a half years since my surgery and i’m feeling like things are improving. In 2 months i’m scheduled for my next appointment to the  endocrinologist. I’ll have my blood-test at the end of next month and fingers crossed my levels are keeping under control. I’m keeping positive as I think it helps in some way for positive results. I hope!  At the moment everything is going well for me. I’m keeping busy. I’m working in retail and doing art projects with the local community.  I’m also studying Counselling, looking to be running creative classes in the local community and planning to progress with my new career path.  The next few months ahead will be keeping me busy, with no time to stress about my upcoming appointment. Although with lots going on i’m still trying to keep my anxiety under control by eating reasonably healthy, taking vitamins and rescue remedy. Also I’m trying to keep my stress and anxiety under control by  listening to some tunes to relax, chatting to friends and family and those with similar health issues, and doing creative projects. I’ll write more again soon. I’m sending you all peace, hope, harmony and good health for the coming months.

Hi everyone,  I hope your all having a lovely day and Welcome to those new to my site. If you have any questions, suggestions for new content, any concerns, comments etc, do not hesitate to contact me via the contact page, GuestBook, or on Facebook / Twitter. Please browse the pages at your leisure and enjoy Toll-Art Therapy.

Ok now here’s a brief update on my progress. (Please refer to previous posts for further background knowledge and information) . I had my most recent visit with the endocrinologist. I attended the appointment on my own, with excellent news. All my results are normal (for the first time in many years)  with the exception of the Prolactin levels dropping by 200, but still out of the normal range but stable. I have lost 2 kg, which is a little concerning but its because of my stress and anxiety. The endocrinologists solution ( i’m not to pleased with) is to gain 5-10kg to have a better chance at fertility (although a child can risk my health) and being healthier with my hormone levels. Grrrrr……..so frustrating when she doesn’t listen when I have told her several times I do not ever want to have kids!!!!!!! Also to try and reduce the anxiety and stress , which has increased over the past few months, is to get some counselling,  or as a second option is to go on anxiety medication (which can elivate my hormone levels). I will have a think about both options and continue to use Rescue Remedy.

Another positive is my next appointment will be in 6 months and no MRI every 12 months, instead will be in 18months time!!! Yay!

That’s it from me for now. Will update you again soon.

I wish you all Peace, Hope, Happiness and Good Health.

Good morning. Birds chirping,  9 degrees and the sun is trying to peer out from the clouds on this overcast day in Australia. Going to be a good day

I hope your all going well on your journey. Stay strong and just know that there is always support from Toll-Art Therapy.

Here’s an update on my journey. I had my routine visit / check-up with my endocrinologist. I took my mum with me for support, as I never go to these appointments on my on because I don’t know what to expect.

My results are reasonably good. MRI scan showed no changes to the Pituitary Gland apart from the abnormality from surgery / tumor removal, which is normal.

Now for the blood test results. ~ Thyroid – good, Growth Hormone – good , Cortisol – levels have reduced from 681 nmol/L to  573 nmol/L, Prolactin – level up again (range 0-500) from 1226 miU/L to 1319 miU/L 

The endocrinologist isn’t to concerned to much as levels have only changed slightly. Still not good but will keep monitoring and any new symptoms or increase in current symptoms to notify the endocrinologist to discuss medication.

Also doing the routine check of my blood pressure which is normal.  The endocrinologist is a little concerned because when I stepped on the scales my weight has reduced from 47.5kg to 44.5kg (2 Kilos is not healthy for my frame. ) I don’t mind because its easy to find clothes that fit but its not intentional. I exercise for at least an hour daily, drink 3-4 cups of herbal tea, eat regular meals with the occasional splurge in chocolate / sugar etc. depending on the cravings.

Although my frame of mind is not good at the moment. My anxiety is really bad sometimes and Rescue Remedy Drops and Pastels help when its hard to cope but I think I might look into some relaxation methods including possible yoga or meditation classes.

At the moment I have taken on 2 courses of study being Community Service and Counselling. I’m enjoying learning new skills including trying to help yourself so as you can assist others in crisis, but the Anxiety has increased with this extra pressure. I need to get the Anxiety under better control.

Well that’s it from me for now. Better get back to my studies. I hope for some positive results in a few months. My next endocrinologist appointment is scheduled for February. I’ll keep you updated on any other changes.

I hope you all are going well on your journey. Also hope I am helping people further by telling my story. Any feedback or comments regarding my content is always welcome. Feel free to visit my Facebook and Twitter fan pages.

Peace, Love, Harmony and Hope to you all.

As we come to the end of March quite a few things have happened. Where do I start? Hmmm…….ok.

Well I worked for 3 months (on trial) at a new job but unfortunately things didn’t work out and I have been unemployed for just over a month. That’s all good though as it has given me a bit of time to get back on my healthy journey. The job was causing me a great deal of anxiety for 3 months so I have been trying to get that under control naturally.

I did my Certificate in Reiki 1 and I will concentrate on doing Reiki 2 at the end of the year to help with my healing. Also i’m going to be learning more website designing /marketing techniques  as well as job hunting once again.

Its about that time for my next visit to the endocrinologist tomorrow for my 6 month check-up. (Although I have reschedule to end of May due to a few other issues in my life well out of my control) I still had my bloodtest on the weekend and will probably need another one again before my next appointment with the endocrinologist. Anxiety not good so i’m trying Rescue Remedy drops and lollies.

I had a visit with my local doctor yesterday for some prescription medication, and I also got a copy of my recent bloodtest. “Thyroid – good, Growth Hormone – good , Cortisol – at the highest end (range 138-690) my levels are: 681 nmol/L, Prolactin – up again (range 0-500) my levels are: 1226 miU/L

Nothing to worry about I don’t think.Will contact the endocrinologist and see if I need an earlier appointment before May. Will keep you updated on my progress.

I hope you all are going well on your journey. Also hope I am helping people further by telling my story. Any feedback or comments regarding my content is always welcome. Feel free to visit my Facebook and Twitter fan pages.

Peace, Love, Harmony and Hope to you all.

Hi everyone.  Well I had my regular check-up with the Endocrinologist this morning. Let’s just say I did a little happy dance on the inside. YAY!!! WOOOHHOOOO!!!!!! My recent blood test from the 18th of September was excellent. My Prolactin levels have dropped rapidly from 1200 miu/L to 686 miu/L. The levels are almost within the normal range of 0-600 miu/L.  (They haven’t been close to this since 2007.) All my other hormone levels eg. FSH, LH, E2, Cortisol, GH, IGFI, TSH, T4 and T3 are perfect. Although my growth hormone is a little lower than it should be, the endocrinologist is not to concerned as it’s more important in childhood. The MRI scan showed that everything is looking normal with the Pituitary Gland, only a small section left on the side due to the tumor removal. Maybe all the eating healthy (Gluten Free / Wheat Free / Dairy Free) , with the occasional splurge of Cadbury’s Chocolate, and taking Zinc, Magnesium and St John’s Wart vitamins have mad some difference to my results. Will most certainly keep it up!

Before my next appointment the endocrinologist has given me a referral to see a Gynocoligist as there may be a slight problem with my ovaries. Nothing too worry about as yet. Also I will have a regular blood test testing all the hormones again.  The overall Best News is that my usual check-ups with the endocrinologist are every 3-4 months. Now my next check-up will be in 6 months. Hopefully it may turn into once a year check-ups

I had a follow-up  MRI scan performed at the John Fawkner Private Hospital.  This scan of the Pituitary macro-adenoma showed an increase in size of the lesion measuring 2cm x 2cm x 1.5cm. There is evidence of some compression into the optic and sinus chiasm. Not Good!

Another appointment with Dr Pullar to see what to do next.