Progress

According to my endocrinologist, there is nothing that I can do to help myself heal.  According to him, my only choice is to wait for the medication to slowly (yet uncertainly) battle the tumor near my pituitary gland.

I don’t believe this for a moment.

I believe that there are several things that anyone can do to improve their health, no matter what their situation.  The basics are extremely important: eating right, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and avoiding harmful substances set the foundation for overall health and wellness.  This has been my focus for the past few months, and will continue to be my focus as I track my progress.

And…. I am making progress!  At my most recent endocrinologist’s appointment, my prolactin level measured below 20!  This means that it is within the normal reference range for the first time in who-knows-how long.  I am keeping my medication at it’s current dosage at the endocrinologist’s request.  We are hoping that the level continues to drop–the lower the better.  Also good news: the medication (bromocriptine) isn’t bothering me as much as it used to.  I take it right before bed, and I usually don’t notice any side effects.

All is going well.  Full speed ahead!

An Update

Hello dear reader,

I apologize for the long stretch between posts.  I am hoping to start writing more often and I hope you will continue to follow my journey.  It is so valuable for me to have your support and the accountability of sharing my story with you.

Let’s get caught up.  When I last posted, I had just started a workout program with a friend of mine.  We have continued to work out together, and it has continued to be the hardest work I have ever done.  We do ab work, we do push-ups, we do jumping routines.  And then we run.  It is sometimes awful.  I feel like it pulls all my insecurities out and forces me to face them, and I still cry regularly during workouts.  But I am also beginning to notice changes in my body, and that keeps me going.  My leg muscles are stronger, and I can run a mile without stopping.  My arms are getting stronger, and I can do a push-up on my toes instead of my knees.  I don’t have a scale, but I am feeling thinner and my pants fit more loosely.  And I am emotionally stronger as well, after having pushed myself through some of the more intense moments.  When things get tough or intimidating in my life, I have those moments of strength to draw from.  

If you are considering a workout routine, I say, “just do it.”  Go.  Now.  You will never know what you are capable of until you get out there and put yourself to the test.

There are some new developments relating to my prolactinoma as well.  About three weeks ago, I had an endocrinologist’s appointment and had my prolactin levels checked.  My prolactin is at 38.6µg/L, down from 116 in April.  I thought this was great news, but my endocrinologist still wasn’t satisfied.  He wants to see it below 20µg/L, so he had me up my dosage of Bromocriptine to 7.5 mg daily.  Ugh.  Raising the dosage isn’t nearly as bad as beginning the medication, but it still isn’t pleasant.  Mostly, it makes me congested.  I sometimes have trouble sleeping because I can’t breathe through my nose.  And I’m also experiencing hormonal side-effects as well, like irritability and fatigue.  My periods still have not regulated.

I am frustrated with these side-effects of course, but I just have to remind myself that the medication is helping me heal.  I also tell myself that it is only temporary.  I am committed to destroying this tumor entirely, and being off the medication, within a couple of years.  Next steps include: continuing to make my body healthier, researching natural treatments for prolactinomas, and returning to the endocrinologist in Aug. to recheck my prolactin.  

Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey!