Hi everyone. I’m a 32 year old female. 5’5″ and currently 178lbs. I have a unilateral adrenalectomy on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. I’m just under a week post-op and feeling pretty good.
My story begins 6 years ago. I had always been thin. Too thin. People commented on how thin I was. But that was just me. I was a vegetarian, active… but not actively trying to be skinny.
In June of 2009 I began to gain weight. By December I had gained almost 25 pounds. I went to every doctor I could think of…. and everyone told me the same thing: “Eat Less! Workout More!”. Having been pretty healthy to begin with- I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. I got a personal trainer, signed up for a few 5ks and joined Weight Watchers.
Every day I was discouraged as the scale went up and nothing I did seemed to work. My hair went from dirty blond to VERY dark brown, thick but fine to very coarse and curly. I started to bruise really easily. I stopped sleeping. I got the buffalo hump (although it took me 6 years to find out what that was)….
I stopped wanting to see people or go places. I was embarrassed by my new shape and how easily I got tired doing things I had done so many times before.
3 states and 11 doctors- including specialists- later…. I had a routine CT scan done for ulcerative colitis. The tech that did the scan noted a tumor on my adrenal gland. My GI doctor asked me about it- I had never been told there was a tumor before- and sent me to an endocrinologist. That was in October 2015. My endo tested and tested and tested…. and finally- in April 2016 diagnosed Cushings.
So like I said, I’m a few days post-op. On 20mg of HC 2x a day right now. Still sore and puffy and hoping that I will see an improvement in weight/sleep/bruising soon!
I’ll keep you updated!
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Jun 30, 2016 @ 10:29:09
Megan, I am a Cushing’s patient also from SA. I had the same surgery in 2011 and am also taking HC 2x a day. I had amazing doctors. Wishing you the best on your recovery!
Jul 02, 2016 @ 01:52:08
Megan, I am being tested for Cushings as we speak. Mine was also a mass on my right adrenal gland. Actually one large mass and one small. My dexamethasone supression test came back with high cortisol level. Still waiting on the 24 hour urine test and scheduled to do the same test again in six weeks. Like you, I have always been thin and within the last year I have gained 30 lbs that exercise and diet will not take off. I have edema, bruising, blood pressure going up. You know the drill…..Please update me on your progress from surgery. It helps to know that there are others that understand what you are going through. I will pray for you to have full recovery!
Jul 02, 2016 @ 01:57:27
Megan, I am being tested for Cushings as we speak. First dexamethasone test came back high cortisol. Waiting on 24 hour urine test results. Scheduled to retest in six weeks. Like you, I was always thin. Gained 30 lbs that will not go away with diet or exercise. Have bruising, edema, pain in right side, get sick easily…well you know the drill. Please keep me updated on your progress since your surgery. It helps to know that others are out there and know what you are going through. Praying for a wonderful recovery for you!
Aug 14, 2017 @ 12:51:45
Wondering how is your recovery going? I jut got my adrenal gland removed 9 days ago and wondering what to expect. Thanks!