Home

Melissa, Pituitary Bio

October 22, 2016

MaryO Golden Oldies, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

golden-oldie

 

From August 12, 2007

I am 32 yrs old. I started having sxs after my 3rd daughter. I started to have face numbness and weight gain after my hysterectomy in 2004. I have had depression since the birth of my daughter in 2003. I had face swelling on and off.

I had started a diet (Chicken, fish, turkey burger, veggies and rice) February 2007. High in protein and low in sodium. I had gained about 30-40 pds since my daughter but then again it was 3rd child. I had lost 24 pds, but was not loosing in my face, upper body and still looked 4 months pregnant after loosing weight. Within weeks I had hypertension, hair all over my face, swelling redness of face, headaches, etc. Ended up in the ER still with no diagnosis and everything related to stress.

I work at a OB/GYN as a medical assistant so I knew something was wrong. One of the doctors I work with kept saying I had Cushing’s Disease but I kept putting her off. I had read about it in school but wasn’t hearing it. I finally did a 24hr urine and to my surprise it was over 1100.

My life had changed since I was dx with this. I did the 5 day suppression twice, (lab messed up the first one). Did 2 MRI’s.

Finally in July 2007 they finally found it!!! I had surgery done July 18th. Still currently on medical leave. Surgery went so well no bruising on my “moon face”. Levels did not drop as expected next morning but ok. 2 days postoperative they did drop in 1/2. Yah!! I’m cured. Have felt pretty good, just tired. Two weeks did 24hr urine, blood work cortisol, and ACTH. Still producing all three. Repeated 1 week later less dexamethasone even. Guess what still producing all 3 but now increasing.

Doctor’s suggest I go off of the steroids now (no point of being on them) and we are going to do more testing. Possible ectopic has been suggested. The surgeon does not want to do radiation or removal due to my age.

I am ready to get on with my life now, and I am confused. I would love to hear from someone with any advise or just to have someone talk to who is going through this.

 

HOME | Sitemap | Adrenal Crisis! | Abbreviations | Glossary | Forums | Donate | Bios | Add Your Bio | Add Your Doctor | MemberMap | CushieWiki

Marcia (Marcia K), Undiagnosed Bio

October 17, 2016

MaryO Other Diagnosis, PCOS, Undiagnosed , Leave a comment

golden-oldie

 

Hello everyone! I have been diagnosed with PCOS for 15 years. I am 48 years old and have many of the cushing’s symptoms and have had them most of my life. I am on appropriate medicines for PCOS due to research I have done on blogs like this one.

I am here to learn more about Cushing’s as I believe I have this and my appointment with an endo is 6 weeks away and I want to go to this visit with much needed knowledge.

 

HOME | Sitemap | Adrenal Crisis! | Abbreviations | Glossary | Forums | Donate | Bios | Add Your Bio | Add Your Doctor | MemberMap | CushieWiki

Kim H, Ectopic Bio

October 16, 2016

MaryO Adrenal Surgery, Carcinoid, Ectopic, Golden Oldies, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

golden-oldie

 

I was diagnosed with Cushing’s in 1986. I had all the symptoms. Weight gain, purple stretch marks, severe acne, hair all over the face, balding on the head, muscle weakness, depression, no periods, moon face, etc.

I had all the blood, urine tests. Scans, x-rays and even petrosal sinus sampling. These were inconclusive as to the source. The MRI of the pituitary showed swelling and near to the optic nerve, so the next step was pituitary surgery which was done in August 1986.

However the cortisol levels were still high. I still had Cushing’s. I was then given the choice of long term drug treatment while the source was located or to have an adrenalectomy. I was told that if I became pregnant on the drugs the pregnancy would not be able to continue because the effect of the drugs on a feotus wasn’t known. I felt that at the age of 24 I wanted my health back and the chance to have children if I was lucky enough. So in the October 1986 I had bilateral adrenalectomy through the back.

My Cushing’s was to all intents and purposes cured. Nearly 16 years later the ectopic source has never been found despite many more tests. It is still there because it still produces ACTH. The good side is now that I tan really easily which is amazing considering the British weather. I take hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. I have never felt that I truly got my health back but am glad to still be here. I went on to have two lovely children, now aged 14 and 12. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis last year after years of back pain which is now being treated. I also had some problems last year and was diagnosed with angina and my steroids had to be increased due to a total lack of energy.

Up till now I have just about managed to hold down a full time job as a merchandiser for Hallmark Cards but have now taken the decision to go part-time which I am able to do with Hallmark. I have been married twice and am again a single parent. The men in my life could not cope with my health problems, so I figure I am better off with being on my own to bring up my kids. I think that’s about all. I would just like to say a huge thank-you to St. Bartolomews Hospital in London for all they have done for me over the years. Without their care and support I probably wouldn’t be here. p.s. I still suffer from depression but the old prozac sure helps.

Update: May, 2007

It is now 2007 and in 2006 they found my ectopic source in my appendix. It looked on the scan like it was in the central blood vessel but when they operated my appendix had flipped itself up and the tumour was sitting on the tip of it. After they tested it it was found to be a carcinoid tumour. Thankfully it was all taken away and the outcome was ok.

For the first time in over 20 years I can honestly say that i am much beter. for 20 years i felt ill and now i feel great. Obviously i still have bad days as I have no adrenal glands. But i will always be greatful for the immense help and support that i have received from professor Grossman and St. Bartholomews hospital in London.

HOME | Sitemap | Adrenal Crisis! | Abbreviations | Glossary | Forums | Donate | Bios | Add Your Bio | Add Your Doctor | MemberMap | CushieWiki

Emily, Undiagnosed Bio

October 15, 2016

MaryO Undiagnosed , , , , 2 Comments

undiagnosed2

 

Hello, my name is Emily. A few months ago I was “diagnosed” with Cushings Syndrome as I had very high levels of cortisol.

I was sent to a ENDO Dr. & most tests came back saying I have it. But two tests, like the salvia midnight test said the high cortisol dropped a little bit at night which indicates I don’t have it, and the surpression pill test also dropped my cortisol level. But the 24hr urine test and regular blood tests at 8am (done severl times, on different days), says I have extremely high levels of cortisol, which “stumped” the Dr. In the same sentence he told me I have Cushings (on paper), but by looking at me, I don’t have it at all and would be the first case he’s ever seen that had Syndrome but don’t have the physical signs (eg., I don’t have purple stretch marks but have some white stretch marks on legs, I’m average slim build but just recently have gained some* belly midsection weight that I can’t loose, I have only some* facial chin hairs but not a lot yet).

I do have most other symptoms of Cushings including changes in menstrual cycles, night sweats, fatigue, anxiety for no reason and never had problem with that before, have fractured two ribs easily in the last year, weak muscles at times etc. In my initial blood work, it also showed I had no estrogen which the ENDO Dr. didn’t investigate.

My last phone call with ENDO; he basically said it appears I have it on paper, but not by looking at me and therefore his conclusion is I don’t have it, and nothing can be done at this time.

Have any of you on here experienced anything like this? I’m getting a second opinion at the Stanford Hosptial in the Bay Area of California, and driving a good 4 hours to get there. Hoping I get better results.

Also…I’m not a heavy drinker, don’t smoke, never had a problem in past of depression which can also lead to Cushings. I’m 33 years old and although usually healthy, I’ve been experiencing these symptoms for maybe 2 years?? Not as persistent until recently though. What got me to go see a general practioner to begin with was no menstrual cycle at all, or very irregular, nausea at times, night sweats, loosing some hair, breaking out on face, fatigue.

Any help or anyone that went through something similar & can help in knowing what to do, will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

HOME | Sitemap | Adrenal Crisis! | Abbreviations | Glossary | Forums | Donate | Bios | Add Your Bio | Add Your Doctor | MemberMap | CushieWiki

Elara, Undiagnosed Bio

October 1, 2016

MaryO Pseudo-Cushing's, Undiagnosed , , Leave a comment

undiagnosed3

 

I had a low level dexamethasone test done 3 months ago. Not bad. Only 67 mm/ol.

But this time, 3 months later, my blood test showed 367 mm/ol.

I wonder if I have pseudo Cushings due to my daily high alcohol intake or do I have the real thing.

 

HOME | Sitemap | Adrenal Crisis! | Abbreviations | Glossary | Forums | Donate | Bios | Add Your Bio | Add Your Doctor | MemberMap | CushieWiki

%d bloggers like this: