I am now 65 years old. I was first diagnosed with Cushings Syndrome in 1995 after 2 years of weekly doctor office visits stating that “my blood tests came back ok, so it must not be anything serious”.
My blood pressure shot up to stroke levels daily, my hair was falling out, I gained about 8 lbs in 6 months, had the moon face, buffalo hump, etc.,etc..
Every possible test imaginable was done to find the problem except a CT scan. The CT scan I had (after 2 years) revealed that I indeed had a tumor on my adrenal. I went to surgery and had the tumor and adrenal removed.
In fact, if I may interject, I was the “guinea pig” for the Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy performed by the doctor who invented the procedure. I was subjected to hundreds of observations while I was in the hospital for 2 days by student doctors and other Endocrinologists who wanted to see the outcome of the new procedure. Anyway, I went home after the surgery, returned to work in a week and was told I would not have to worry about ever getting this again.
I have had problems of various natures since the surgery. They have not required surgery but have been very emotionally upsetting. I can not seem to lose weight no matter what I try and I have tried it all. I did lose about 50 lbs shortly after surgery but I am still overweight and cannot seem to get it off.
I know my age isn’t helping but I am very physically active even with my age. My middle section is fatty, my breasts are enornous which is not a family trait, and I had had a total hysterectomy in 1994 at the age of 46 and I suffer daily with extreme hot flashes and mood swings.
The hot flashes are affecting my life. I am miserable. I have talked with my doctor about the weight, hot flashes, irritability but he doesn’t think it is caused by the Cushings from before. I DO!!! I have not been to an Endocrinologist since I was diagnosed back in 1995 so I have not had my levels checked. I don’t know what to do. I’m starting to think like I did back in 1995, that this is all in my head and it’s my fault that I cannot get relief for these symptoms I still have. I do not have a OB/GYN because my old one retired.
So, I am hoping that there is someone who has advice for me . I didn’t know this resource was here but I sure am glad I found you.
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Aug 27, 2013 @ 01:14:49
Maybe you need a little estrogen, progesterone and even testosterone. Im post menopause but my levels where so low that i needed some replacement. Im using the natural creams and a phytoestrogen. Also, you need your thyroid levels checked, B12 and D3. Something is definitely out of balance. You really must get to ser an endocrinologist.
Aug 27, 2013 @ 10:17:07
Two things 1) Hot flushes are oestrogen deficiency i’ve read & progesterone cream applied vaganally can address oestrogen & progesterone as the body can convert progesterone to oestrogen as needed 2) All my reading with Cushings points to oestrogen dominance (see @mcgregorcastle bio for link to the rat study, further down Pituitary tumours & that) that is linked to mineral deficiency because magnesium, zinc, iodine, selenium to name a few raise progesterone in the body
Lastly people with gout don’t get tumours so meat, legumes, grains & fat all purines bump up uric acid; do the opposit as 4 gout sufferers but avoid alcohol as it strips vitamins & especially minerals
Sort out the cause and the problem will go…i’ve got nearly 700 cortisol & a useless medical team so my life & surviving depends on my research into this
Hope it helps you
Aug 27, 2013 @ 10:20:18
zinc btw raises testosterone
Aug 27, 2013 @ 10:24:33
zinc btw raises testosterone and if you take vitd3 please ensure you take lots of magnesium; vitd3 is oestrogenic & magnesium is progesteronic…i learned this the hard way
Safest way to take vits & minerals is an all in 1 bump up the dose a bit if test results show deficiency BUT do add extra magnesium as they don’t give you enough & if your kneck is enlarged seperate iodine like lugols, aquatic in low dose or sea kelp