Sunday, January 31, 2010

It's All In My Head.. Really

I have been living with chronic illness for a very long time, I don't remember when it all actually started, mostly because I have very little memory left. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant 11 yrs ago. I've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on meds and Dr's and tests only to be told I may have Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, MS, or various other Autoimmune diseases. A few years ago after a really bad experience with a physician I gave up and resigned myself to a life filled with pain and a mystery diagnosis.

Over the last 8 months I have been having a lot of problems with my vision. I wrote it off to eyestrain, too much time on the computer and spending too much time crocheting. On one very rare day by myself I stopped by the eye doctor to get glasses. If you haven't been read about that day please look here

Any way I got most of my tests back last week and I found out I do not have Ms or Lupus which is really good news. The day after my birthday I got my MRI done and found out that I have a Brain Tumor, well not really a brain tumor a Pituitary Tumor. So needless to say I have been burning up google to find out everything I can. What I know so far is I AM NOT CRAZY, ok that's not completely true we all know I am a little crazy, just a different kind. I have probably had this for a very long time and it explains 75% of my medical issues. There are still more tests to be done. I am going to see an Endocrinologist to have a Pituitary and Thyroid panel done and at that point we will determine the best course of action.

One thing I found out is that this is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed illnesses there are, many people that suffer from Chronic illness actually have malfunctioning Pituitary Glands. I know this sounds crazy but when the doctor gave me the news I was relieved. I know that there is still a long way to go, but I have a chance now to get my life back at least most of it.

If you know someone that has been suffering with chronic illnesses, who feels as if they have lost their minds and are at the end of their ropes I encourage you to go to www.Pituitary.Org to see if they have possibly been misdiagnosed as well. It is my hope that if nothing else I can shed some light on this disorder and if just one person can get diagnosed early and not have to go through what I have this will have all been worth it.

I do want to take a minute to say thank you to everyone that has wished me well and encouraged me to hang in there, it means the world to me.

4 comments:

Lee said...

Maybe I should look into that. I had my ovaries out because of not feeling well and went to an infectious disease guy over at anderson. I still feel like crap. Where are you in the Houston Area?? We should meet!

Holly Lefevre said...

Thanks for stopping by my place. I am glad you have some sort of answer to your issues (I'll catch up, since I am new). I am going to pass this info on to my friends who has had a lot of issues trying to figure out what is making her feel so crummy...right now they are calling it Fibromyalgia.

Holly @ 504 Main

PS-Thanks for your comment about beauty on my blog...I am very interested to hear what moms with older kids have to say on ALL subjects....my kiddos are 8 and 2, so we have not hit a lot of issues yet!

~~louise~~ said...

It is so annoying when the health system makes you feel like you're crazy. I had Lyme disease a few years ago and boy oh boy did it take them forever to figure out that was what I had. AND, the only reason why they did was because in between all of my systems, I did as much researching as possible online. Which I probably wouldn't been able to do had I taken all the medication they prescribed especially the Vicodin!! I have a friend with similar problems such as yours and she had huge success with this. (I would tell you what but I'm not doctor!:) My way of thinking has changed since then. Now I always check the herbal holistic approach BEFORE aksing the doctors. Anyway, wishing you better health, and many many more family style Chinese dinners:)

Cindy said...

That must be hard to hear that it's a tumor, but with how much you've been suffering it's good to get a correct diagnosis. Hang in there and stay strong!