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October 28, 2025

MaryO Adrenal, Cyclic, Ectopic, Familial Cushing's, Food-Dependent Cushing's, GIP-Dependent Cushing's, Pituitary, Pseudo-Cushing's, Recurrence, Success Stories, Undiagnosed 128 Comments

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Voices From the Past: Crystal T, Undiagnosed Bio

July 3, 2026

MaryO Undiagnosed , Leave a comment

Hi everyone,

I am undiagnosed currently but been having Cushing’s symptoms now over 3 years.

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Voices from the Past: Julie, Undiagnosed BIo

July 2, 2026

MaryO Undiagnosed , , , Leave a comment

undiagnosed6

 

First test came back high coritsol. Testing again in six weeks. Weight gain, edema, high blood pressure and other symptoms.

Any advice would be helpful.

Trying not to stress it but want to get this behind me.

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Anonymous Woman, Recurrent Cushing’s

July 2, 2026

MaryO News Items, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Recurrence, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

A 45-year-old female developed clinical and biochemical recurrent Cushings’ Disease 2.5 years after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy for 2cm pituitary macroadenoma.

Past medical history included Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, asthma, hypertension, grade 3 obesity, dyslipidaemia, depression and sleep apnoea. MRI showed residual pituitary tissue with left sphenoid sinus extension.

MDT advised repeat transphenoidal surgery over radiotherapy due to presence of a clearly visible surgical target. Neurosurgery was initially delayed at patient request. She commenced metyrapone, titrated to cortisol levels but this was poorly tolerated. Whilst awaiting neurosurgery, she developed pituitary apoplexy with right sixth nerve palsy and superior quadrantanopia. MRI showed reduced tumor volume but she became progressively hypercortisolaemic. MDT discussion felt redo transphenoidal surgery no longer appropriate but unfortunately, the patient declined radiotherapy.

Over the next 5 years, her metabolic control deteriorated, managed with intensive insulin regime, GLP-1 agonist and SGLT2 inhibitor, anti-hypertensives, statin, Levothyroxine for central hypothyroidism, prophylactic Rivaroxaban for thromboembolic risk and intermittent Metyrapone.

Despite this she developed worsening alopecia, arthralgia, myopathy and NAFLD and became wheelchair dependent.

Options of pituitary radiotherapy, bilateral surgical adrenalectomy or ablation were discussed. Bilateral surgical adrenalectomy was accepted by the patient but delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst awaiting adrenalectomy she developed worsening headaches and superior quadrantanopia. Repeat MRI showed increase size of pituitary adenoma with supraseller extension. She commenced Pasireotide after MDT discussion but attended A/E with worsening headache, visual field defect and ongoing cushingoid symptoms after 3 doses. Repeat MRI scan showed no significant tumour growth or apoplexy and MDT recommended Osilodrostat, which the patient is awaiting.

Conclusion: This challenging case highlights the alternative options of managing resistant hypercortisolaemia in an individualized approach and the difficulty explaining complex treatment options with patients.

Adapted from https://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0094/ea0094p245

Voices from the Past: Jestina (jestina902), Pituitary Bio

July 2, 2026

MaryO Diabetes, PCOS, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Hello there! My name is Jestina and I’m 16 years old. I just recently found out that I have Cushing’s from an endocrinologist in Washington D.C. It has taken three years to find a diagnosis. I have struggled with hormone issues ever since I was thirteen and my old family doctor originally diagnosed me with diabetes and PCOS. I didn’t think that it was unusual, especially because my mom has PCOS and diabetes runs in my family. My doctor told me that I was going through treatment for PCOS by giving me a pill to take. When I would take it, I would become very sick and I had unbearable stomach pain. It got to the point where I stopped taking it because it was hurting so badly. I was also not having any results. I still had unusual hair growth and I was starting to gain weight. This went on for a year.

About a year later, I started to face horrible back pain. I have scoliosis and my family, along with my specialists believed that it was caused by my spinal fusion. I started physical therapy when I was 15. I started to develop the “buffalo hump” and my physical therapist believed that it was the cause of spending too much time online. I thought that it was very strange though because I didn’t go online very much. I didn’t even have Facebook or any other type of social networking account. So, I went through about six months of therapy and I saw a small improvement but it didn’t last very long.

When I turned 16, I started to face even worse pain than before in my upper back. I went through multiple rounds of X-rays and spent two months home from school while my specialist was trying to find what was wrong but each time, he could never think of a reason for why I would be facing so much pain. I ended up going through a round of pain injections and it eased the pain enough for me to be back in school for the remainder of the school year. On my follow-up appointment after having the injections, my specialist suggested that maybe my pain had been caused by a hormonal problem. My mom decided to change family doctors and we went into her office less than a month ago. When my new doctor reviewed the medicines that I had been taking, she then informed us that the medicine that my old doctor gave me was actually for my diabetes and that it was the reason why I hadn’t seen any results. After I described my symptoms, (buffalo hump, moon face, unusual hair growth and weight gain, etc.) she left the room for about forty minutes to research. When she returned, she suggested that I had Cushing’s and that I should see an endocrinologist. She ordered a few rounds of blood tests and gave a referral to a doctor in Washington D.C.

My endocrinologist reviewed the blood tests and agreed with my family doctor that I most likely had Cushing’s. He ordered more blood tests and a 24-hour urine collection and they came back the way that he expected. I am now awaiting a CT scan for my surgery which should happen sometime in the next few weeks. I am hoping for great results. Apparently once my surgery is finished, I shouldn’t see anymore problems with diabetes, PCOS, or the symptoms that come along with Cushing’s.

Thank you so much for reading my bio!

Voices from the Past: Emily B-C (EmilyBC), Undiagnosed Bio

July 1, 2026

MaryO Adrenal Insufficiency, Other Diagnosis, Thyroid, Undiagnosed , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

undiagnosed3

 

Hi.  I am a 40 year old female who has been feeling “not quite right” for almost 10 years.  I have been tested on and off for many different things and have been diagnosed with Epstein Barr, Adrenal fatigue, and h.pylori during these years.  I continually have vitamin D deficiency issues.  I have a rash on my lower legs that never really heals even with the most powerful of steroid creams.

This year, I started feeling worse than usual.  I have zero energy and my brain is in a perpetual fog.  My muscles and body ache, my face is round, and I have gained 40+ lbs over the years.  There are days that I physically cannot get out of bed.  I have fainting spells and a racing heartbeat at times.  I crave carbs and salt.  There is not enough water in the world to drink and I have to run to the bathroom frequently.  No matter how hard I try the weight will not come off.  When I get massages my therapist tells me that my adrenal glands are swollen and I feel very nauseous every time she runs her hands over that spot.

I was an avid equestrian- 3 day eventer.  I was riding and showing no less than 3 times a week.  I was getting fit.  Now I am just a useless blob that can’t do anything.  I have been pushing to go to the barn to just groom and be with my horse as much as I can.  

My doctor found that I have an unusually high blood cell count a couple of months ago.  I was sent to a hematologist to find out why.  We did so many tests I quit counting.  The conclusion was that I am not sick enough to be sick.  So many tests were coming back normal or high normal.  No lupus, no leukemia, no answers.  I finally asked about Cushing’s because I have a majority of the symptoms listed.  My doctor was skeptical, but agreed to let me do a 24 hour urine test.  It came back high.  This has allowed me to move to an endocrinologist.  I also have high levels of reverse T3.

So far I feel like a complete lab rat.  I have now done 2 salivary Cortisol tests and have another urine test this week.  One of the 2 saliva tests came back very high.  My doctor said we have to do yet another saliva test to test the last results.  After all of this we will do a dex suppression test.   

At this point I am very depressed that I am unable to live my life.  Riding is not an option because I just get “floppy” and risk falling off.  I was studying to get my vet tech license, but the brain fog prevents me from remembering anything I read.  

I am so lucky to have a doctor that believes my symptoms are real.  She does not gloss over the fact that it may take a long to diagnose what is going on, but she wants answers as much as I do.  For now, I am just a good lab rat.

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Voices from the Past: Leah C, Undiagnosed Bio

July 1, 2026

MaryO Undiagnosed , , , , , , , 4 Comments

undiagnosed3

 

Hi there!
Basically writing my story on here just for support.

I have suffered from major depression, no periods for two years, irregular hair growth, moon face, aches and pains especially lower back and also severe acne. My face is so swollen I no longer smile. I feel like I am losing my mind.

I recently had a late-night cortisol test and it came back double what it should be. My acth is very low but my cortisol is high. I suffer from aniexty and have recently started having aniexty attacks.

I feel like the doctors could care less and actually have one laugh at me. I used to be a happy 115lb 18 year old girl and have gained 25 pounds in less than a year although I have continued eating as healthy as I can even thought I am hungry all the time but I workout daily.

Any advice would be amazing. I don’t know what else to do.

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Voices from the Past: Consuelo (Conny), Pituitary Bio

July 1, 2026

MaryO Pituitary , , , Leave a comment

pituitary-gland

 

39 year old diagnose with Cushing Isp sampling at Uci was positive waiting surgery.
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Robyn N (Robyn), Adrenal Bio

June 30, 2026

MaryO Adrenal, Adrenal Surgery, Cancer, Golden Oldies, Other Diagnosis, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

A Golden Oldie

~~~

Hi!  My name is Robyn and I am a 48 year old wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, 1st grade teacher and a recovering Cushing’s patient.

My story is so very similiar to the others on this site but because they helped me so tremendously, I felt that I needed to add my own.  Until I was 40 I was extremely healthy and extremeley thin (92-100lbs. on a 5ft. frame)  My menstrual cycle had been like clockwork.  I had normal periods every 26 days.  I had had no problem getting pregnant and was the proud mother of a daughter and a son.  I had never had PMS or pain with my periods.

This all changed around 40.  My periods started becoming very irregular, I had severe cramps, crazy PMS (my husband said it was like Linda Blair with her head spinning around), and heavy bleeding.  I was diagnosed with fibroid tumors.  Dealt with that with hormones but by the time I was 45 I had Premature Ovarian Failure and the pain had become incredible and the bleeding was almost to the hemorraging point.

I had a hysterectomy in July of 2007 (I was 45).  One month later in August of 2007) I was getting out of my bathtub, slipped and fell and broke my acetabulum (hip socket).  I spent 14 weeks non-weight bearing in bed and walking to the bathroom with a walker and in horrible pain until it was decided that I would have to have a total hip replacement.  It was another 9 months before I recovered from that.  By that time my weight had steadily increased.  I thought it was due menopause that I had gone through as a result of the hysterectomy and not being able to walk much less exercise in the last year and a half.

In December of 2008 I decided to have a tummy tuck and a breast reduction because of the weight gain.  In January of 2009, when I went for my post op appointment with my plastic surgeon, I was told that breast cancer had been found in the tissue removed in the reduction.

In March of 2009, I had a mastectomy.  At that time, the plastic surgeon started my reconstruction by putting in a tissue expander.  I had poor healing and all the incisions opened so I had the expander removed.  Since then my weight has increased dramatically.  I got the moon face, the red chest and neck, the buffalo hump and stomach that looks like you are 9 months pregnant.

During this time my primary care physician just left her practice with no forwarding address.  I waited for several months to see if she would resurface in another practice and when she didn’t I had my oncologist recommend another internist.  I saw her in Feb. 2010.  She asked me what my biggest complaint would be and I told her it would be my weight gain in my stomach and how my face and neck looked.

My mother has Multinodular adrenal hyperplasia and I told my doctor that my mother thought I had Cushings.  She told me she thought my mother was right.  She did blood tests and called me to tell me that my cortisol levels were sky high and that she was referring me to an endocrinologist.  She also had me do a 24 hour urine test and a 1mg. dexamethasone suppression test.  Both were indicative of Cushings.  The first time I saw Dr. Rolbands he looked at me and said I was a classic Cushings case and sent me for a CT scan.  I had the scan and I had a tumor in my left adrenal gland.  I went swiftly down hill with symptoms.  The leg pain and fatigue became overwhelming.

By the time I had my surgery, I could hardly walk across the room and my blood pressure was 168/110 taking 2 blood pressure medications.  I had my left adrenal gland taken out on June 29th, 2010.  I am now recovering.  Dr. Rolband is very pleased with my progress in 2 weeks.  My blood pressure was 90/70 and took me off one medication.  I have lost 6.1 lbs. and the pain in my legs had gone away.  All very positive.  I started weaning from the prednisone and that has not been pleasant.  I went from 10 mg. to 7.5 yesterday and I had diarrhea, nausea, body aches and pains.  I’m better than I was before the surgery but I’m ready to feel “normal” again.

Contact Robyn

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Dr. Dori, Pituitary Bio

June 30, 2026

MaryO BlogTalkRadio, Golden Oldies, Interview, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, radiation, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The author, Dori Middleman, M.D. is a child and adult psychiatrist in private practice in Merion, PA. She has a musician/conductor husband and two children. She was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor causing Cushing’s Disease in November of 2001.  This Golden Oldie was last updated 06/19/2008.

~~~

December 28, 2002

HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH A BRAIN TUMOR

A Pituitary Party with a pituitary-shaped cake, complete with tumor of a different-colored icing, a pituitary hunt for the kids, a raffle to benefit the Wellness Community (a cancer support group), and a contest for the most creative object to be inserted inside my head in place of the removed pituitary tumor were ways in which I distracted myself from the terror of brain surgery. I hired a story-teller, who wrote pituitary stories. I bought the game, “Cranium”, to give as prizes for the winner of the replacement-object contest, and my caterer created pituitary-theme foods: pituitary pasta, cerebral cucumbers, and had a cauliflower simulating a brain decorating the table along with a scarecrow who displayed the sign, “If I only had a brain…”

My pituitary party invitation read:

As you may or may not know, I have been diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a small brain tumor, and am having surgery on April 3rd. I have decided that one thing you can do for me is help me have fun with my brain tumor. Traditionally, brain tumors have been viewed as undesirable, somewhat dreaded, and even potentially life-threatening. They’ve gotten a bum rap, in my opinion. I think they give life a purpose (survival with a few brains intact) and give their bearers something to talk about, but better yet, laugh about.

Dan Gottlieb, a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, in his April Fool’s column on the importance of not taking oneself too seriously, gave me and my party a notable mention, resulting in all of Philadelphia knowing about my surgery and many expressions of support and concern.
Indeed, contemplating death and disease is not the way I most enjoy spending my time, although I did a fair amount of that too. But throughout my illness and recovery, I have attempted to make the most of the cards I have been dealt.

Other health-promoting strategies I have used included:

regular mass e-mailings to my close friends to keep them apprised of how I was doing so they could best offer support;
contacting everyone I could think of for recommendations and information on doctors
finding and conversing with fellow patients on-line in the chatroom for people with my illness, Cushing’s Disease
using hypnosis, yoga, exercise, acupuncture, massage, Gestalt, and energy-work as adjuncts to my medical treatment
re-entering and using psychotherapy to support me emotionally through the process of illness and the stresses of medical treatment (In Gestalt therapy, I spoke to my tumor and my pituitary and came to understand their function in my life: I had a hypomanic pituitary mimicking my own sometimes hyper-functioning mode of living.)
joking with people as much as possible about brain tumors to facilitate comfort of myself and people providing my care from hospital registration personnel to my brain surgeon
carrying with me at all times the small objects people offered to me as brain-tissue replacement
wearing a donut-like pendant covered by a symbol of a healer as a reminder of my brain with a hole in the middle healing

Unfortunately, my surgery was unsuccessful, and I faced a decision between a second surgery or radiation treatment. I did not find this funny. In fact, I was pretty demoralized and said so in an email to friends and colleagues, again inviting humor. One of my colleagues placed a request to the entire international mailing list of my Gestalt therapy colleagues on my behalf, saying she had “an ill friend in need of humor”. In came jokes from around the world – about fifty pages of them – which I read to my driver enroute to my gamma knife radiation treatment in another state. We laughed our way there and back!

Life is what it is. We get what we get. And we might as well enjoy it!

The author, Dori Middleman, M.D. is a child and adult psychiatrist in private practice in Merion, PA. She has a musician/conductor husband and two children. She was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor causing Cushing’s Disease in November of 2001.

Listen Interview on a Philadelphia-area public radio talkshow, Voices in the Family, about Cushing’s Disease and how to make meaning out of illness and adversity.
Read Dr. Dori Middleman’s article HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH A BRAIN TUMOR.
Read Dr. Dori Middleman’s article PSYCHIATRIC ISSUES WITH CUSHING’S DISEASE.
Read “DrDori”, Dr. Dori Middleman’s First Guest Chat, April 14, 2004.

DrDori answered questions in an online Voice Chat, June 12, 2008, 7:30PM eastern. Archives aree available.

Listen to CushingsHelp on internet talk radio

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Voices from the Past: Kristina, Undiagnosed Bio

June 30, 2026

MaryO Hypothyroidism, Undiagnosed , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Hello everyone, My name is Kristina and i am 21 years old.I am so happy that i found this site because there are so little information about Cushing’s, especially real people stories. If not internet or tv i still wouldn’t know what is happening with me for a quite long time.

Hm i don’t know where to start, as a kid i always was very thin, and everything started changing when i was 11 or 12 years old i started to gain more and more weight, and after few years was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, i took medicine and lost my weight , but when i was 15 everything started changing again but much worse, i was always hyperactive, happy, enthusiastic, always got best grades and ect… i was always depressed, always asleep, feeling dizzy, everyday felt exhaustion, i even started missing schoool , didn’t even went where because i didn’t had energy to get up from bed and get dressed, and also with +66lbs i really didn’t wanted to show my face anywhere. And everyday everything get worse and worse, because of all this lack of energy and motivation i quit law studies, and then other studies, i don;t have energy to do simple house chores, my muscles always hurts, my head everyday hurts, i can’t sleep, i still get on weight every week almost, i have 800 kcal diet, and do some exercises, and weight still puts on… my hair is so ugly, my skin is very dry i got eczema that my skin doctor can’t cure, i broke my kneecap with very light impact i have many many other problems, and when i saw this on house md and mystery diagnosis i started my reseach on internet and library, i took very hard road that my endro would write prescriptions for all blood tests and MRT and now i am waiting for results and am very be anxious and have still many many questions.

I know that all cases are different but maybe someone could share, if after treatment or surgery, how hard is to loose weight, and not feel tired all the time? what to expect?

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