Brigitte

The patient testimonial shown in the video reflects only this person’s opinions about their own care. Each person’s case is unique and you should always consult a doctor for information and advice about the diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly. Please note that all treatments may have side effects. They vary depending on the treatment and how your body reacts to it. Ask your doctor about side effects when considering a given treatment.

Before my diagnosis I had pain in my fingers. Year by year the pain increased a little bit more, mostly at night, and by the morning I found I often could not hold a toothbrush to brush my teeth.

My face had also become so swollen that you could hardly see my eyes and my skin was like leather. When a doctor tried to take a blood sample for an examination he found it difficult to get the needle into my skin as it was so thickened.

I did not visit the doctor monthly, but on one visit I mentioned that I felt I had been sweating a lot. The doctor put this down to my age and that it was likely down to the climacterium (becoming menopausal).

Looking back I also had bigger feet and hands, but I didn’t mention this to the doctor.

I probably would not have been diagnosed with acromegaly for several more years had it not been for an MRT (magnetic resonance tomography, now more usually referred to a magnetic resonance imaging scan) scan of my cervical spine being ordered by an anesthesiologist.

Subsequently being told I had a pituitary tumor by the radiologist was very worrying and I then saw an endocrinologist.

It was a confusing time. I did not know if I should go out and buy a new car or take a trip around the world or if I would be dead the next week. It felt like I had fallen in a black hole and I was very unhappy.

After getting more information I was calm and said to myself, ‘OK, I will fight against acromegaly.’