Anxiety and Depression

[Scott1719]

Hello, I was diagnosed with a Pituitary tumor about 18 years ago. I started suffering with anxiety and depression at age18. I had the signs back then but wasn't diagnosed for 10 more years. I was given dostinex which I took till 5 years ago. I'm 46 now. At this time I was also on a anxiety med and had no anxiety that I can recall. I quit taking the dostinex as I said 5 years ago and have been suffering ever since. I've tried numerous anxiety meds since then but they now don't seem to agree with me. Almost make me hyper aroused not manic but just very very anxious feeling. So when I was finding no relief from the various anxiety meds I went back to the endocrinologist but he stated my numbers were in line and didn't prescribe the dostinex again. Recently my prolactin has been a little elevated and I'm taking my third blood test. It appears the dostinex helped with the anxiety and depression and nothing has since. My questions are: has anyone felt anxious and depressed when off the pituitary meds? Only to go back on and feel better? Also, are most people with pituitary tumors on anxiety meds as well? I'm struggling because phyc doc wants me to try lamictal for bipolar and I've never had the highs or any of the normal bipolar symptoms other than anxiety meds aren't agreeing with me. I would appreciate any similar stories and or thoughts.

[Scott1719]

Thank you very much for the response.
Scott

[rumpled]

Most people find relief from being treated for the pituitary tumor  but you may have other hormones out of wack.

I think it is common for doctors to put pituitary patients on those classes of meds, but they may or may not work properly as the body is working against it so unless the doctor is aware and knows it and prescribes knowing it and looking for meds that works for them, then it can be a waste and some meds can actually be more of a problem aka raise prolactin.

Most are just diagnosed depressed or anxious but a few I have heard yes get bi-polar diagnosis and she had a prolactinoma as well as Cushing's like me. She is fine now.

[Scott1719]

I'm sorry to be a pain... Yes it is common to get relief with anxiety/depression from say a dostinex? Or it is common with people with pituitary tumors to be on anxiety/depression meds. I've seen you've helped many and for us all I just want to say thanks. Last question.. I promise, have you heard of people also being given a diagnoses of bi-polar as a result of tumor?
Scott

[rumpled]

I am sure there are a couple in Chicagoland. Either the larger universities and I know there's a doc in WI that does research so there are lots of places out there...  Look at neuro-endocrinology, pituitary center, larger endocrine centers at larger hospitals. I am surprised your university center is not one, or your doc is just giving you no effort at all and has not read papers on the psych effect of pit tumors. It is well known.

Yes, it is quite common!

[Scott1719]

I do get regular monitoring, I've been on Paxil for the anxiety but didnt care for the side effects so weened myself off. It's been less than two weeks so feel like I'm still feeling the effects.My prolactin levels were 19.5,19,6, and 17.5 so Endo feels like there back within range and see's no need for the dostinex? But as I stated anxiety is terrible. Is it common then for people with Pituitary to be on anxiety/ depression med?. Or is it typical for symptoms of such to derease when on the pituitary meds? I'm really trying to get some releif for anxiety but typical anxiety meds dont seem to do it? I asked this Endo in the past and he feels there is no relation between tumor and the mental health issues? We don't have A pituitary center around Chicagoland that I can find so I have a Appt coming up with a University Hospital next month. Thanks for answering, getting tired of feeling like sh..

[rumpled]

Normally one is one pituitary meds forever. Why did you go off? Was it by doc order or did you do it?
Do you get regular monitoring by a pituitary endo?

I think you need to see a pituitary doc, and get back on meds. Certainly you will feel better as the prolactin can cause the anxiety.