Pituitary macroadenoma: Is anyone familiar with Apathy Syndrome?

Hi @medfordor, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I added your question to the Brain Tumor group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/brain-tumor-support-group/) as well as the Endocrine System group. I think fellow members like @daphne2020 @astaingegerdm @rubyjane @gemttaz and others may have experience with the side effect of apathy after surgery. Here are some additional related discussions you may wish to review.

- Saying Hello! Just had surgery for a pituitary tumor https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/saying-hello-1/
– Pituitary microadenoma causing hormonal issues https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pituitary-microadenoma/
– Pituitary macroadenoma tumor removal and short term memory loss https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pituitary-macroadenoma-and-short-term-memory-loss/

@medfordor, you said your surgery was 10 year ago. Has apathy always been a side effect since then or is it a more recent development?

Thank you mod Colleen! My apathy has become more noticeable in the past five years. I though maybe I was just bored at work and at home - my doctors thought it was depression, but 4 years of varying antidepressants had no effect. It was only recently I read an article in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry about apathy in pituitary surgery patients that I recognized all my symptoms.

I just joined this site and saw your post in apathy from 2 years ago. I had 4 surgeries since 2000 and radiation. I too struggle with this. Have you received more info or treatment for this?

Hello @limorris and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It looks like you may be attempting to respond to @medfordor, is that right?

After reading your initial comments about apathy syndrome I did some research and have nothing more but questions. Can I Be directed to anyone at Mayo who participated in multiple studies about apathy syndrome?

Hi @jrlynch, do you suspect that you may have apathy syndrome?

@limorris, what type of brain tumor did you have? How do you manage the side effect of apathy?

My research is for my brother. A Neurosurgeon placed a stent in his brain to alleviate pressure cause by excess cerebral fluid a condition called “normal pressure hydrocephalus”. Since then he has exhibited symptoms of Apathy including dizziness with nausea and vomiting, and constant sleeping. Doctors here cannot find any reasons for his condition. That’s why I am researching Apathy Syndrome.

It is definitely something to bring up with his neurologist. @jrlynch, you may also be interested in these NPH-related discussions:
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/normal-pressure-hydrocephalus/?pg=2
- normal pressure hydrocephalus research https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/normal-pressure-hydrocephalus-2/
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and dealing with work https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nph-and-dealing-with-work/

My pituitary adinoma surgery was Nov 93. I have recently in the last couple years been noticing a decline in interest to do things. I have sought medical help and they treated me for depression. Now that i have begun to learn more about apathy and the pituitary, i feel like that is closer to what I am experiencing. Is there any testing i can do to be certain and what are the treatments for apathy?

Have you learned about any resources since posting this information, i am interested to learn more about the apathy as I feel like i am developing this as a result of my pituitary adenoma from 1993.