MARCH - FATIGUE

[Paul Clarke]

Hi Guys,

Each month, we are going to take one facet of pituitary conditions and discuss them at length. This month's subject is fatique, or chronic fatigue to be more precise. How does it affect you? How do you deal with it? What makes it better? what makes it worse? How does it affect those around you? Are you taking any medications for it? Are yoiu taking any medications that are making the problem worse?

There more points of view we get, the more useful it will be so please let us know your views.

At the end of the month, the information you provide will be collated and published on a permenant web page that will be useful to many people both now, and into the future,

Regards,

Paul

[JohnwithanhD]

To kick this off, I suffered fatigue far more before I had my pituitary tumour operated on. Feeling more alert was one of the most noticeable things about teh wasy I felt after surgical treatment of acromegaly. No, I am taking no medications for fatigue, except I have begun lanreotide (Somatuline) as the surgery by itself was not a total "cure". Once my body gets used to this (give it a few months) I may be able to add more on the subject of fatigue.

John

[Bev]

After surgery I found I was prone to severe bouts of iron deficiency causing "raggy doll syndrome" where every time you sit down you go to sleep. It is quickly rectified with a course of iron tablets/medicine but it is the most debilitating form of fatigue whilst you are experiencing it. Apparently the surgery causes you to become immune altered (hence the need for the flu jab/swine flu jab) and that is the reason. Need to keep having tests for full blood count to keep on top of it. Earliest symptom for me is white eyelids when you pull your lower lid down-it should be a healthy pink.
Bevx

[TCMTCM]

Fatigue is one of the symptoms that I suffer from. It really prevents me from living the life i would like to lead. I have not been able to return to employment, I had a phased return on a part time basis but it had such a significant affect on my life as the little energy i had was being used to go to work even though it was only 15hours a week, and eventually after a few occ health assessments it was sadly obvious that I couldnt cope with work. Since then I have had to come to terms with losing my career. I have asked endocrinologists if there is any medication for fatigue. They have said that there isnt, and fatigue is one of the symptoms that they do not really understand and cannot do anything about, but it is recognised that some pit patients do unfortunately still suffer from it even though they are on full hormone replacements (as I am). I did improve following growth hormone replacement, but saying that, before i had it i couldnt get out of bed every day. Now, I have some days where I feel better than others, think I can carry out tasks but once I start, say I tidy my bedroom, all the other things I wanted to do that day I have to leave. Its very frustrating, makes me feel really down sometimes. Friends dont understand and ive been accused of letting people down, not being a good friend, when i have had to turn social things down because im that exhausted I cant go out. Ive had a harley street consultant saying it could be down to depression (and my endo at one point) but I am not depressed. I love life, it is so precious, I love my family and am so grateful for every day. Anyway hope that helps and i havent waffled on. (By the way I had tumour removed feb 06, and now am on hrt, steroids,thyroxine, growth hormone replacement)
Tina