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Empty Sella Syndrome

Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Oct 30 3:21pm | Replies (142)

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@rcraftlady

I'm new today, so I apologize if I am jumping in at the wrong place. I recently had a head trauma and while at the ER, I was given a CT Scan of my head and cervical spine. Yesterday, I read the CT-Scan report myself. It states that I have a partially empty sella trucica. I am unclear whether the empty sella is a result of the head trauma or prexisting. In my case, I think either could be true. Perhaps both are true. Perhaps the empty sella existed and the head trauma made it worse. It has been almost a month since the head trauma and I have had a headache constantly. I also have had intermittent clear fluid very slowly coming out of my left nostril. I would say neither of those issues should be ignored. The cerebral spinal fluid dripping out of my nose seems concerning. Yes??? The ER doctor did NOT mention the finding either on his discharge report nor to me, when he was telling me of the findings. I have a million questions and some very big concerns. First and foremost, the possibility of headaches is mentioned online repeatedly, but nowhere can I find any treatment recommendations for these headaches. It seems like it should be something more than throwing a pain med at the headache. If it is NSAIDS, that will not work for me. I have chronic kidney disease and do not take pain medications....period. I am very disturbed by the repeated mention of obese women with hypertension also having an empty sella. If these conditions cause the empty sella, how do they do that??? There is never any mention if these are issues that are causitive, incidental or a result of the empty sella. Althought it would make a great deal of sense, hormonally, nowhere can I find any information as to whether the injured/smashed pituitary gland is responsible for the weight gain/obesity and hypertension (or the other way around). Intutitively it could be either. The narratives linking the obesity and hypertension to the empty sella syndrome, almost seem accusatory, blaming obese women for giving themselves empty sella syndrome. I developed life-changing health issues at age 42. The health issues came on abruptly and were never explained. After this finding, I now wonder if I developed the empty sella at that time. I suddenly gained 60 pound in 3 months, with no change in eating habits and at the same time developed hypertension. I lost most of my eyebrows, all of my body hair and suddenly had a light mustache and a few hairs on my chin. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, that seemed to be caused by my pituitary gland, rather than my thyroid gland. At the same time I seemed to have developed hypercortisolism, and was wired, but tired 24/7, agitated jumpy and unfocused, suffered from night time anxiety and insomnia coupled with extreme fatigue. Prior to this, I had been a very high energy person, able to handle stress well and had a very focused and clear mind. I feel that perhaps empty sella syndrome ruined my health. I went from a thin, athletic, energetic and healthy 42-year old, with a near photographic memory to a very ill, exhausted, foggy brained 42-year old, who couldn't remember what they had just said. I would propose the empty sella syndrome is causitive of many health and cognitive issues and that those who suffer with it are being done a huge disservice. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that it seems to be predominately an issue found in women, who are also suddenly obese.

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Replies to "I'm new today, so I apologize if I am jumping in at the wrong place. I..."

Hello @rcraftlady

I would like to also welcome you to Connect.

I admire that you did your due diligence in reading the report of the CT scan for yourself. That was great and it gave you additional information. I encourage you to keep persevering for answers and help. Rare disorders (I have one myself) take a lot of work and effort on the part of the patient to look for doctors who can offer help and assistance.

I wish you well and I hope that you continue to post. I look forward to hearing from you again and knowing what steps you are taking next.

Teresa

Thank you Teresa for welcoming me and for your kind words. I wish you success and improved health in your journey.