Pituitary tumor symptoms: joint, muscle and body aches

Posted by khauert @khauert, Jan 12, 2020

Hi. I am new to this. And not sure I'm in the right category. I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor in November. However, I have been experiencing terrible joint, muscle and body aches for a year now. No doctor knows why and nobody can confirm its from the tumor. I'm frustrated and becoming very hopeless and depressed. Can anyone with a pituitary tumor relate to body pain?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) Support Group.

Profile picture for pamp56 @pamp56

Hi, I've been reading about this adenoma & what it's possible issues can be but, after reading comments about issues others are having, I too are having some of them & was unaware the adenoma may be the culprit of these issues. Like I said before, the doctors aren't too concerned because it's non functioning & tests are "normal". However, I'm discovering it may be causing issues from the pressure of the growth pushing on the pituitary stalk, optic nerve & brain. I'm waiting for approval to go out of network to a UC Davis neurosurgeon but I'm staying in constant contact with my GP & Endocrinologist. I'll discuss seeing an oncologist at my next appointment.

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@pam56
Hello, I had a pituitary removed in 2016. By 2020, more came back. If cells are left behind they can grow back, I did not think to ask my surgeon how do they get rid of all the cells. Even though these tumors are not cancerous they can be life threatening. Meaning, if they grow and attach on the carotid artery that leads to the brain it can be fatal depending the the size and location because the tumor can cut off blood flow. Or, if it grows and presses against the optic nerve a person can loose sight. Either way its better to get them taken care of before they do become problematic for the surgeon especially depending on location. Ask your surgeon to show you exactly where its located. Once you see, then ask about complications. I did not do that. I wish I did because I lost my sense of smell. Because the instrument they use to go into your nose can damage the smell sensors in your nose like mine. Note: If your Primary doctor seems laxed about your condition, get a second opinion and see a team of specialized neurologist who can help you promptly.

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Profile picture for pamp56 @pamp56

Hi & thank you for your reply! No, my doctors haven't recommended an oncologist, only a neurosurgeon. I just completed an ophthalmology test & they're digesting that info. Its slow going & they don't seem to think anything of it! I guess I just have to wait & see, but I'll discuss an oncologist with them to see what they think. This is all so confusing because I'm trusting others with my care & even i don't understand what the ramifications might be. I'll keep you posted with what I find.

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Most Pituitary tumors are non-cancerous.

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Profile picture for khauert @khauert

I was diagnosed with a prolactinoma pituitary tumor. However, in all honesty, I think the doctors question what kind of tumor it really is. For prolactinoma, my prolactin level should be in the hundreds and thousands. My blood work showed it was at 57- high enough its a problem, but not high enough to be prolactinoma. The following was diagnosis from a variety of docs I saw: 1st primary physician- carpel tunnel, 2nd primary physician- I am over weight. Rheumatologist- 1st visit-I have gout. 2nd visit- fibromyalgia. 3rd visit depression. When I saw my endochronologist, he said it was my weight; the tumor had nothing to do with the pain. When I saw the neurologist he didn't even want to hear about my symptoms. His goal is to get the tumor out. With obvious frustration, I called Mayo and thankfully, I see an endochronolgist and a neurosurgeon soon. In the mean time, I have been researching pituitary tumors and joint/muscle pain, and I fall short every time. Then it dawned on me to research hypothyroidism (which I was diagnosed with when the tumor was found November '19). I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, one being sever muscle/joint/bone pain, swollen hands/fingers and feet, and carpel tunnel like symptoms, to name a few. All those symptoms are a result of nerve damage from hypothyroidism going untreated. I noticed something "off" with my body almost 2 years ago. I just assumed it was because I am aging, not as active, overweight. Turns out the tumor and hypothyroidism has slowing been creeping up on me. And interestingly enough, I stumbled across an article (that I didn't save and can't find on the internet) that quoted a doctor. He said the patients need to listen to what our bodies are telling us and not always go by what our blood work shows. I guess blood work doesn't always show there is a thyroid issues because our hormone levels change throughout the day. He advised to talk to the doctor about all the symptoms regardless of the blood work results. I know this was lengthy, but I hope it helps. My next research is going to be nerve damage and how/if/when it will heal and I hope I will be pain free once my hypothyroidism gets back to normal.

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Hello,
Regarding your prolactin numbers, anything under 12 is normal. Anything above 12 is abnormal. My number was in the 50's then jumped to 100. I was tested and the result was pituitary tumor. I had surgery because the tumor was laying between my carotid artery and optic nerve. If they are not removed you can go blind due to it growing on the nerve and pressing it flat and/or cut off your blood flow to the brain from your artery which can be fatal. Even though a high percent of these tumors are not cancerous they can be deadly and should be taken seriously. I am one who went through it and still struggling.

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Profile picture for picturemanz @picturemanz

Hello,
Has anyone had focal impaired awareness seizures with pituitary tumor diagnosis?

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Hello @picturemanz and welcome to Mayo Connect. In your post, you mention being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. How long ago was this diagnosed? Here is a link from the Epilepsy Foundation website describing a focal onset impaired awareness seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-types/focal-onset-impaired-awareness-seizures?

Did this seizure disorder begin at the same time as your diagnosis of the pituitary tumor? What type of treatment are you receiving for the seizures and the tumor?
I look forward to hearing from you again.

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Hello,
Has anyone had focal impaired awareness seizures with pituitary tumor diagnosis?

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Profile picture for pamp56 @pamp56

Hi, I've been reading about this adenoma & what it's possible issues can be but, after reading comments about issues others are having, I too are having some of them & was unaware the adenoma may be the culprit of these issues. Like I said before, the doctors aren't too concerned because it's non functioning & tests are "normal". However, I'm discovering it may be causing issues from the pressure of the growth pushing on the pituitary stalk, optic nerve & brain. I'm waiting for approval to go out of network to a UC Davis neurosurgeon but I'm staying in constant contact with my GP & Endocrinologist. I'll discuss seeing an oncologist at my next appointment.

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I look forward to hearing from you again, @pamp56

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

It would be a good idea to educate yourself about this type of tumor. I encourage you to read the article from the American Cancer Society. I look forward to hearing from you again when you have more information, @pamp56.
Do you have any follow up appointments scheduled yet?

Jump to this post

Hi, I've been reading about this adenoma & what it's possible issues can be but, after reading comments about issues others are having, I too are having some of them & was unaware the adenoma may be the culprit of these issues. Like I said before, the doctors aren't too concerned because it's non functioning & tests are "normal". However, I'm discovering it may be causing issues from the pressure of the growth pushing on the pituitary stalk, optic nerve & brain. I'm waiting for approval to go out of network to a UC Davis neurosurgeon but I'm staying in constant contact with my GP & Endocrinologist. I'll discuss seeing an oncologist at my next appointment.

REPLY
Profile picture for pamp56 @pamp56

Hi & thank you for your reply! No, my doctors haven't recommended an oncologist, only a neurosurgeon. I just completed an ophthalmology test & they're digesting that info. Its slow going & they don't seem to think anything of it! I guess I just have to wait & see, but I'll discuss an oncologist with them to see what they think. This is all so confusing because I'm trusting others with my care & even i don't understand what the ramifications might be. I'll keep you posted with what I find.

Jump to this post

It would be a good idea to educate yourself about this type of tumor. I encourage you to read the article from the American Cancer Society. I look forward to hearing from you again when you have more information, @pamp56.
Do you have any follow up appointments scheduled yet?

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Hi & thank you for your reply! No, my doctors haven't recommended an oncologist, only a neurosurgeon. I just completed an ophthalmology test & they're digesting that info. Its slow going & they don't seem to think anything of it! I guess I just have to wait & see, but I'll discuss an oncologist with them to see what they think. This is all so confusing because I'm trusting others with my care & even i don't understand what the ramifications might be. I'll keep you posted with what I find.

REPLY
Profile picture for pamp56 @pamp56

Hi, I was diagnosed with a non functioning pituitary adenoma just over a year ago however there were very few symptoms until recently. I had an MRI in May 2025 that showed the adenoma had grown to 2 cm within the year & now I'm experiencing facial pain, headaches, muscle pain & weakness, fatigue, tremors, joint pain & I pass out all the time! I get very tired and shortly after, I pass out, mostly in my chair but I've passed out a couple of times on the kitchen counter & of course, the toilet. I'm waiting for approval to see a neurologist outside of my health network but I'm going to try to move it along a bit faster - if I can stay awake long enough to do it! I hope you can get some answers to your issues as they are allot like mine. If I get news about it I'll keep you apprised & would appreciate you to do so also. I look forward to some good news soon!

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Hello @pamp56 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I am sorry to hear of these new symptoms that have developed. I'm sure that must be frustrating for you. I see that you are looking for a referral to a neurologist. Have you already consulted an oncologist? I found some interesting information from the American Cancer Society website about treatment for these non-functional pituitary tumors. Here is a link to that information, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/treating/non-functional-tumors.html

After reading the article, I noticed that there are treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Have your doctors recommended that you see an oncologist?

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