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imbolcgirl (imbolcgirl), Undiagnosed Bio

March 31, 2017

MaryO Golden Oldies, Undiagnosed , , , , , Leave a comment

 

Originally posted Tuesday, December 23, 2008

I’m a 28 yo woman, and had been overweight growing up (Slavic diet!), but was able to take and keep the weight off with a sensible diet and excerise. I had viral meningitis in 2004 and ever since then, everything has gone south.

I gained 80-odd pounds in 14 months with no change in diet, and now several years later can’t stop gaining weight even on very restrictive diet/exercise regimens. I was tested for PCOS but came up with no cysts, am not currently diabetic but hoping to not become one, and tired, punky, and getting really really desperate. I do hit for most symptoms, excepting a prominent buffalo hump. I have worked in medicine (allied, not a dr or nurse) and am almost afriad to present my question of cushing’s to my dr, but I don’t know what else to do! I gain weight on 1400 calories a day, and exercised myself right into a torn-up A/C joint! I’m just so afraid to even ask for the tests because of “med-student’s disease” or being called a hypochondriac. . . and I do NOT want to have bariatric surgery unless I really really need it!

Currently, I am 130 pounds over my pre-meningitis weight, up all night drinking and running to the bathroom, have a seriously huge belly with lovely skinny ankles and wrists, stretch marks on breasts, belly, and underarms, look at me twice and I bruise, have weird temperature issues – my feet are numb, my hands turn blue, but if I go to bed under even one blanket I wake up soaked in sweat. I have a bit of the lovely “extra” hair, and haven’t been interested in the sensual side of life in months.

Things I do NOT hit for: I’m not quite a diabetic using home testing, close but no cigar, and I consistently have LOW blood pressure, usually. I’m on hormones, otherwise I have very long and heavy girly times, rather then short/light/nonexistent.

I see my doc somewhat suddenly tomorrow (I finally got completely frustrated being told to “just eat less” and decided to just ask for the testing.) This is the middle of nowhere, but my doc is not a bad guy by any stretch – but how do I ask without looking crazy? Can meningitis squoosh your pit enough to cause Cushing’s even? AM I just nuts?

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April (April), undiagnosed bio (PCOS)

March 13, 2017

MaryO Golden Oldies, Other Diagnosis, PCOS, Undiagnosed , , , , , , , Leave a comment

 

Originally posted December 28, 2008

 

My name is April…I am 34 years old and recently started having some issues that led my family Dr. to do some bloodwork. My cortisol levels came back very “very high” according to him, with regular female hormones “slightly out of whack.”

I am so condufused at have no idea where to turn. I found this board and in reading the bio’s it was like reading “my story”. I have felt like I am going crazy and no one understands…including my unsupportive husband.

My history…
2 children…premature (they re 15 & 16 now)
2 miscarriages in past 5 years
hemmoraghed 3 times, hospitalized -D&C
Heavy abnormal periods w/severe back pain
Diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago after trip to emergency room with what i thought was appendicitis
anemia
Underwieght (5’2…100 lbs) but have “spare tire” around mid section
Have very large Lipoma on shoulder blade near neck
Adult onset acne and boils
RLS
Severe shoulder neck pain
Went to family Dr. recently because I had a 9 day crying jag over something trivial, to the point i couldn’t work!
Dr. prescribed Zoloft and Xanax,for depression,which stopped the crying, but i feel like i may be abusing the xanax.
I feel sad and alone. I just want to stay in my house and hide!
I also have always had anxiety.
My blood pressure has always been low, but Doc has always said that’s normal for person my size.
No sex drive.
Don’t like people touching me.
I smoke, like a frieght train.
I CANNOT SLEEP more than three hours! I can take 15 mg of melatonin and 2 mg xanax and still be up after 3 hours sleep.
I only urinate about 3 times a day which is dark and cloudy and funny smelling. (sorry if TMI)
I am always thirsty!
i could go on and on…

I just want to know if I am crazy or if something is really wrong with me. this is affecting my realtinship with my husband and friends.

my insurance company shanges after January 1st , so i will be making an appt with the surgeon to have the lipoma removed.

Should I see an endocronolgist?
when i talked to my Dr. about my bloodwork, I was so overwhelmed, i didn’t ask any of the right questions.
all I remember him saying is that a norml cortisol range would be 200-300, high 500-600, mine 823.

Does this make sense to anyone?
Thanks for listening!

Any advice would be a god send…
April

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Nancy (chance), Steroid-Induced Bio

March 1, 2017

MaryO Adrenal Insufficiency, Golden Oldies, Steroid-Induced , , , Leave a comment

golden-oldie

 

Originally posted April 18, 2008

I have Iatrogenic Cushings—I also have adrenal insuffiency —One doctor told me to just say I have Addison’s—I have many symptoms of Addison’s but I don’t have the salt issues. I have much empathy for the 52 year old man.

I am 60 and have been on cortico-steroids since 1979—everyday. It has beaten up my body alot-oh–I have steroid dependent asthma–I have essentially been in statis asthmaticus and/or on steroids for 30 years.

My allergist told me I have the twitchiest lungs he has ever seen. I am sharing this because anyone else on steroids for their asthma must have very twitchy lungs too.

I know I am lucky because I have never been on a respirator–Hospitalized yes.

I would like to hear from other folks with steroid dependent asthma or other Cushing’s folks.

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