Florence - 45 years old - 25 years of Androcur - 12 meningiomas

My name is Florence, I am 45 years old and I "gobot" of Androcur for 25 years at the rate
of 50mg per day, 20 days per month.

I discovered the molecule in 1993: it was prescribed by an endocrinologist that I
consulted for hyperandrogenism.
I was very happy with the results quickly. This medication is actually
effective. I no longer looked like a "monster" (the hair of my face
was very complex) and had no rules. I was "released, delivered!" ».
I have known 2 other endocrinologists who continued to prescribe it until 2018.

I discovered the side effects of Androcur in early September 2018, looking at
the Health Magazine on France5. I immediately contacted my endocrinologist
who prescribed a brain MRI.
I was able to carry out this exam on November 14, 2018. When the radiologist insisted to
talk to me, I understood that I had meningiomas. 12… there were 12!

The most worrying was frontal meningioma. It was enormous (the size of a
clementine!) And threatened my optic nerves. I had to make an emergency appointment
with a neurosurgeon.
I met him a month later, on December 13, 2018, at the CHU Purpan in Toulouse.
When he told me that I had to pass "on the billiards", I received the news with
a lot of composure; I have been in "survival" mode for weeks. I hang on
to my work to keep the shock and face the various symptoms that spoil
everyday life: great fatigue (I no longer recover), intracranial pressure,
arnold neuralgia, hair loss by handles, concentration difficulties,
faulty memory ...

On December 18, 2018, nervously to the end, I collapse. I have too much pain in the skull, my
head turns and I can no longer keep the pace. My general practitioner stops me to
limit the breakage and prepare for the operation. I am washed out. I take refuge in my
family and do not enjoy the Christmas holidays. I do not remember anything ...
I live: I sleep 15 hours a day, the slightest activity asks me for superhuman efforts,
I can no longer support noise, agitation, light. Everything tires me; I am a log!

The operation is scheduled for February 20, 2019. The neurosurgeon had announced to me 5
days of hospitalization and 1 month of convalescence. They will open my skull but I leave
decided and rather confident. I specify that I was never operated on in my life; It will be
a first!
I go for the block at 7:30 am. The atmosphere is relaxed; I sink and that's where the
problems start. I pass on the bone of my skull thicker than the average which
puts the surgeon in difficulty and delays the progress of the operation. He manages to
remove front meningioma into one piece but I lose my olfactory nerve in the
battle. The awakening is a bit "rock and roll" but I go out well after more than 6
hours in the block. Everyone is reassured.
Except that ... 24 hours later, I go on a coma and do massive brain edema. Here I am again
to open my skull more widely. I am entitled to a large bone shutter as a
dessert plate, a good and 4 -day resuscitation resuscitation.
I will, once again, get out and spend 15 days without my bone but with a nice
dressing that hides an impressive number of points and staples.

On his return from vacation, the neurosurgeon announced that you have to put the
bone shutter quickly. He fears an infection and a rejection.
We are back for the block. I wake up with a reshaped skull, drains and
always a magnificent dressing (it looks like a little hat).
In the meantime, I had not believable hallucinations and of course an
imminent death experience.

I am alive, with a new head (I am a little "boxed" and my hair is
shaved) but no more legs: my muscles have melted and I left 9kg in the battle. My
jaw also suffered (it was subluxed and my temporal muscle was
cut).

When I left the hospital on March 21, 2019, I joined a functional rehabilitation center
for 8 weeks. I have recovered my physical capacities (coordination and
balance but also concentration) and the right to drive (when you have undergone a
brain operation, you must pass tests and request authorization to take the
wheel of the prefect).

I still haven't returned to work and beats every day to keep myself in
mentally and physically. I rehabilitate my jaw and I took over a
minimum social life but I spend a lot of time in administrative procedures.

My last MRI is encouraging: the meningiomas regressed with the treatment
. I remain fragile but I am on the right track.

I only have the criminal and compensation component to set up.

As well as serious psychiatric follow -up because, even if I am well surrounded, what I have experienced and
still live is a lonely ordeal. So, my "sisters", do not remain isolated: join us
and testify! Because the only way to get up is to denounce to put an end
to carnage !!!

Florence - 45 years old - 25 years of Androcur - 12 meningiomas

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