Pituitary News, Issue 2 - Autumn 1996.

One member's account of participating in a GH trial and subsequent experience of Growth hormone replacement therapy.

by S.A.C-C

I first became aware of problems with my vision. For some unexplainable reason the lower part of figures and text appeared to be missing. This caused particular problems with reading, as I would need to read the same paragraph, line and even word at least twice in order to understand the text. Numbers would be transposed and I would commonly read a 2 as a 7.

As a result I went to the optician, who could find nothing wrong with my vision; however, he referred me to an eye specialist. After examination the specialist sent me for a scan. This revealed a Pituitary tumour. I was then referred to St Thomas's Hospital in November 1987 and underwent an operation for the removal of the tumour in June 1998.

Although everything was explained to me in great detail, I failed to appreciate that I would become completely drug-dependent. Due to the complexity of the Pituitary gland certain functions that were no longer being carried out would need to be replaced by external drugs. I take Hydrocortisone, Thyroxine, Oestrogen and, if needed, DDAVP, as I suffer occasionally from Diabetes Insipidus. I found I was consuming a large quantity of liquid and as a result achieved only a couple of hours uninterrupted sleep. This problem appears to be sorting itself out.

Prior to the operation I was fit and enjoyed a full and active life with a promising career, but after the operation my quality of life deteriorated badly. I gained weight, irrespective of how little I ate. Exercise was impossible, my social life was non existent, I was constantly exhausted, my career went out the window and depression set it. My life had become one of pure existence; there was no enjoyment.

I was approached by St Thomas's to take part in a growth hormone trial. Confused and desperate to achieve a good quality of life once again, I leapt at the chance. I was required to give myself a daily injection, not knowing whether or not I was giving myself growth hormone or the placebo. This lasted for 6 months. As with any trial there are no guarantees, however I was becoming rather anxious as there had been no improvement, one injection every single night and for nothing. I desperately wanted this to be the answer and it appeared to be doing nothing for me. It then occurred to me that I might be injecting myself with the placebo and I looked forward to the next stage of the trial when I knew I would be given growth hormone.

Having gone through considerable anguish, hoping that I was on the placebo for the first part of the trial, the second part of the trial brought with it considerable changes, noticeable within 2 to 3 weeks. My sense of humour returned, I had a small amount of energy and I was actually having positive thoughts.

Within 6 months my quality of life returned to normal, I lost weight, I regained my fitness, I enjoyed a full and active social life. In fact as a result of growth hormone I got my life back. Life is once again enjoyable and exciting.