Hello.  I just joined so hopefully I will learn more about Cushing’s and find support and encouragement.  I’m not sure if I have Cushing’s yet.

I’ve suffered for years with gaining weight and in the past few years, it seems that no matter what I did, the weight was glued on.  And, it got more difficult to stay active.  Even walking like I used to enjoy has become very hard.  This past year, I gained a lot of weight in a short amount of time.  I’ve been considering weight loss surgery, in fact.

My other symptoms:  high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatigue, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, my bones hurt, sleep apnea, edema that started in my feet and ankles, but seems to be throughout my body now…and yes, my face has changed drastically.

I don’t go out like I used to.  I work, come home, go to bed.  When invited out, I make excuses so I don’t have to go out.  Recently, I had a doctor visit with my cardiologist and he said he thought I might have Cushings.  He referred me to an endocrinologist who I have not seen yet.  My appointment is in 2 weeks.

In the meantime, he ordered some bloodwork and a 24 hour urine.  So far all the bloodwork is normal.  Even the ACTH was normal.  I have to do my 24 hour urine tomorrow and also the AM/PM Cortisol.  Part of me is dreading the results, and part of me wants to know why I can’t lose weight.

Everyone makes you feel like it’s all your fault.  I can’t even get my Gastric Bypass unless I lose 30 pounds first and I have tried and failed. I don’t even know if I can have the surgery if I find out that I have Cushings.

Can you have Cushings with a normal ACTH?  I’m so confused.  Any help would be appreciated.

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She also submitted a second version:

First, I thought I posted, but maybe it didn’t go through.  Starting again. I’m 55,

I haven’t been diagnosed yet, but I was at my Cardiologist’s last week and he seemed perplexed with all my undiagnosed symptoms.  I have a plethora of problems beginning with weight.

I’ve been battling my weight for the past 10 years, but about 4 years ago it seems that no matter how active I was, I wouldn’t lose, in fact, I gained.  It didn’t seem reasonable to be working out, eating right and still gaining.  This past year alone, I gained 45 pounds in a few short months.  It’s made me feel so sick!

I’ve been forging ahead to have weight loss surgery, but they want me to try to lose about 30 pounds first and I just can’t.  It’s a losing battle.  And I don’t even know IF I can have the gastric bypass if I am diagnosed with Cushings.

Other symptoms:  High BP, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, my bones hurt, even lifting a coffee mug feels like my wrist is giong to break!  I have edema that started in my feet/ankles but my whole body feels waterlogged.  My liver is enlarged and throwing off high AST/ASL results.  I have sleep apnea and it was untreated for a few years, so I developed Pulmonary Hypertension.

My face has changed this past year, I don’t even recognize myself.  So, my Cardiologist says he thinks I may have Cushing’s.  He has set up a referrel to an endocrinologist, which is in 2 weeks.  But, he did order a slew of tests.

So far, everything is normal…including my ACTH.  Tomorrow, I am doing my 24 hour urine and my AM/PM Cortisol.  Can you have a normal ACTH and still have Cushing’s? I’m anxious to find out but almost hoping that I have Cushing’s, as it will be an answer to what is happening to me.

Anyway, glad to have found this support group!

Thank you in advance for any support/encouragement.

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