Pituitary News, Issue 26 - Winter 2003.

I was diagnosed with Acromegaly in February 2002. I have been suffering with headaches for about six years and my hands began to grow and swell about four years ago. These symptoms were put down to migraines and arthritis.

I injured my knees at work last year and was sent to see a specialist. I mentioned my hands to him and he sent me to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist ordered x-rays. The x-rays showed no deformity in my hands or feet so I had some blood tests carried out. This was when an increase in my Growth hormone level was picked up. I was immediately referred to Dr Paul Price who told me of my acromegaly. Sheila, Dr Price's endocrine nurse, gave me some information on The Pituitary Foundation and I contacted them. I have found them to be very helpful in enabling me to understand my condition and find the support they give to be priceless. I attended my first local group meeting and met other people with my condition and spending time with them help dispel a lot of my fears. My fiancé and mother also attended and, like me, found the information invaluable.

I went to Oxford and took part in a study to see if Lanreotide could improve my recovery rate or help with the surgery. The treatment, one injection every fortnight for sixteen weeks, was very helpful. It alleviated a lot of the symptoms and made my life more normal again.

I had my surgery on 10th September 2002. It appears to have been successful and I am now back at work. My symptoms have all gone and I feel like I have been given a second chance at life. On 2nd January 2003 I returned to Oxford for full tests to confirm exactly how successful the surgery was. The long-term effects of the lanreotide will not be known for some time.

I hope that by having had this treatment, I can help other sufferers and possibly reduce the need for compulsory surgery in the future.