pituitary apoplexy case

[deeshan]

Hi all...could anyone plz tell me how long does it take to recover after pituitary surgery.... my husband (37 yrs) is now 5 weeks post TNTS endoscopy for his almost 3 cm sized pituitary macroadenoma which had gone apoplectic so we managed to have surgery done 5 days after that....vision got better bt hez still very weak...specifically afternoons....gets tired easily and yesterday he had restlessness in his right arm n legs like before surgery he had..bt today better bt endocrinologist said his labs are fine...hez on 15 and 10 mg of hydrocortisone at 9 am n 9 pm n thyronorm 100 mcg...n the pain related to hormones should be symmetric n not asymmetric.... also he had palpitations yesterday.... what might be the reason ...is it part of recovery.... how long will it take to get my same old healthy active partner back

[rumpled]

Sorry the doctor is no longer posting. I am sick and so delay in posting.

It is pretty common, as a pituitary patient myself, to feel pain post op, especially if you are on replacement for cortisol. Your replacement dose for cortisol is fairly high and may cause symptoms from the high dose as too high and too low can be a problem.

As for working... I was never able to go back to work. About 50% do, most of us are damaged by long diagnosis time. It all depends on your health. I lost mine, I hope you can get better and work.

[deeshan]

Sir....m jus worried abt pain in right leg and arms at times and at times with numbness...before pituitary apoplexy surgery 2 months back it was more in left legs n arms . In brief I would mention again that after 2-3 months of fatigue, body aches ,b12 , d3 deficiency,shoulder pain etc I was diagnosed at the end with pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage after I had problems with vision in my left eye...after 5 days I underwent TNTS surgery...vision problems were resolved.i was on rest for almost a month and gradually started working...m on 100 mcg thyronorm and 25 mg hydrocortisone in morning and afternoon ...now after 2 months 10 days I still feel fatigued..n pains more often in right legs and right arm (before surgery it was more on left side n I used to feel numb in hands and  feet) headaches at times and pressure in left eye at times n then I wear specs n also I feel palpitations at times .... My labs are all normal....I jus want to know whether it's normal or I need to see someone n will I be able to be normal like before...I would like to tell you I am a dentist by profession n working morning evening....plz suggest

[rumpled]

Surgical recovery can take about a month or so...

Hormonal recovery can take much longer and depend on how many hormones were lost. I am only a patient but... Hydrocortisone is normally taken at waking early in the morning (9 is a bit late unless that is when he normally wakes) and 9 pm will keep him from sleeping, so a second dose is normally no later than 4 pm.  If his doctor moves his dose so he can sleep better, he may feel better.

Also at some point, he will have to start to wean down of the hydrocortisone IF AND ONLY IF he has demonstrated that he is starting to produce ACTH.

I replace all my hormones and you must go for regular check ups and get your medications adjusted if needed. Also regular MRI scans.

I don't know about the palpitations - was his BP too low or too high? Salt can be an issue post op and some emergency situations can arise. Please keep your doctor posted on sudden changes.