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Acromegaly - anyone ever heard of it?

(34 Posts)
harrigran Mon 25-Aug-25 09:43:18

Yes I have heard of Acromegaly, wouldn't have been a half decent nurse if I didn't understand the condition.

Franbern Mon 25-Aug-25 08:56:15

No point in trying to talk to GP about it. My guess is that when they get this report they will be looking it up to find out about it. Amazing that some junior doctor at the local hospital picked it up at all.
Obviously, the extra growth is not extreme. My hands have always been 'peasants' hands, and yes have got larger, I can only purchase for use Mens gloves - no Ladies fit me. My show size has gone from the 5 1/2 when Iwas younger to a wide 7EE. Have quite a large nose (but it runs in my Fathers Family), my lips would do good service to those companies that advertise their plumping work. At my mid-80's these should be getting thinner.
But it is the other symptons such as joint pain, return of night sweats, excessive tiredness, sleep apnoea problems, etc.étc. all of which I have been trying to report to GP's over past four or five years with little help from them.

Blood test taken at hospital came back positive, next state is for GP to refer me for MRA, etc. so I assume it will be quite a long waiting game.
Just came on here to find out how rare it is and am pleased other people have, at least heard of it.

My facial features are very similar to my Dads (who died just about the age I am now), and am therefore wondering how genetic this is.

eddiecat78 Sun 24-Aug-25 22:19:31

Yes a friend had it years ago. She had always been petite but she put on weight, her face coarsened and her hands and feet changed shape. I think she also had problems with fatigue and depression .It took a long time to diagnose but she eventually had surgery to remove the tumour

Esmay Sun 24-Aug-25 19:48:38

Are you sure that this is the diagnosis?
As you are posting to gransnet I presume that you are a certain age .

I would telephone the Doctor and insist on having a discussion about it to allay any anxieties.

My neighbour (aged 65 ) had a pituitary tumour , which caused blackouts and fainting spells .
She had it removed and is fine with no ill effects .

It seems more common in young men .
My parents knew and liked Christopher Greener who used to be Britain's tallest man .His pituitary tumour was not diagnosed until he was an adult and accounted for his height .
I hope that you get a proper diagnosis and the correct treatment .
Wishing you well .

valdavi Sun 24-Aug-25 18:39:38

I think it's acromegaly as in the OP.

keepingquiet Sun 24-Aug-25 15:52:02

Do you mean agromegaly?

My sister has had a pituitary tumour for most of her life and hasn't suffered too much as a result.

kittylester Sun 24-Aug-25 15:23:34

I should say that I think they have both had treatment.

kittylester Sun 24-Aug-25 14:47:55

I have heard of it. I know of 2 cases - both younger men.

They don't seem to have any issues except their extremeties - head, hands and feet - are large.

Franbern Sun 24-Aug-25 14:26:06

I was quite poorly this last week, ended up in hospital with some sort of difficult to diagnose infection. Loads of tests.

When I got myself back home had a discharge sheet,which is a copy of one going to my GP. I normally just shove these away in drawer, but eldest daughter read it with care.

She discovered that one of the Doctors have put me in for more tests for this rare illness caused by a benign tumour on the pituitary gland.
Over past few years I have finally gone to GP with several problems, such as breathing , joint pains, head pains (not headache), sweating, etc.etc. Nearly always been put down to ageing!!!! But it could all have been caused by this condition. Unbelievable how many of the boxes I tick.
Been referred on and will to see outcome.
Just wondered if anyone else has ever come across it.?