Do you or a loved one suffer from undiagnosed symptoms? Do you go from doctor to doctor trying to find out why you feel so bad only to be told that there is nothing wrong with you, it's all in your head? It may be all in your head, your symptoms may be caused by your pitiutary gland. For detailed information about the pituitary gland visit our about pituitary section.
As of now, few criteria exist for evaluation of physicians and their experiences with pituitary issues in general and tumors inparticular. The PNA, with the help of doctors and patients experienced with pituitary diseases and tumors, has compiled this list of simple, straight forward questions.
Ask these questions of your current physician to help confirm your comfort level with him/her. Take a copy of this list when looking for a new doctor to treat you. Decide what answers you will accept and which ones are automatic red flags. If at all possible, bring your spouse or friend to keep notes and help you stay focused on the medical interview(s). Remember, YOU ARE INCHARGE OF YOUR OWN CARE. YOU HAVE THE FINAL VOTE. Take care of yourself first.
The following two questions should be answered before you visit the doctor. The information is available from your state's Medical Association.
By Robert Knutzen, MBA
And Annie Hamilton
Pituitary Network Association
Many of you are newbies to pituitary/hormonal disease and find yourselves in the same boat most us were rowing just a short time ago. We have attempted to shortcut the search for answers on most aspects of your diagnosis, treatment and lifetime follow-up care. There are three very distinct but equally important aspects to being a hormonally-challenged patient. Dealing with the medical community is interesting and sometimes confusing. The presence of a tumor takes on an overriding importance to some physicians. However, your quality of life may be severely compromised, not by the tumor or its removal, but by your doctor's failure to monitor your hormone replacement. You need proper medication in carefully measured doses, appropriately spaced check-ups and, very often, professional mental health care. This organization aims to help you land on your feet. We don't believe it is in your or your family's best interest to spend the rest of your life living on disability insurance or on other public assistance. You deserve to be well and whole, and it is possible with determination.
Often individual symptoms get treated in today's world, not underlying causes. If many of the following are present and are significant to you, talk with your doctor or find a doctor who is qualified to pursue further evaluation. Qualified physicians can be found in the medical resources section of this website.
This article is reprinted from The Neurosurgical Atlas courtesy of Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol a physician member of the Pituitary Network Association. The original article and Dr. Cohen-Gadol's webinar You Have Been Diagnosed with a Pituitary Tumor, What Next? can be accessed through this link.
Pituitary tumors are most commonly benign tumors associated with one of the body's most prominent hormone-secreting structures—the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located between your eyes and in the middle of the head at the base of skull. Pituitary tumors are slow-growing, non-cancerous, and will not spread to other parts of the central nervous system or body.
