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Ginger’s Father, Adrenal bio

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A Golden Oldie

this story is of my father. He was a or nurse on the transprt ship the usst sea barb during ww2, he graduated high school at age 16 and he then went to simpson college and had completed over two yrs when the war broke out. he signed up seeing how he was studing to be a doctor they signed him up in the corps.. after the war ended he went back to school. and then a year later signd up for the reserves. he continued to go to school ,work part time and work in the reerves. he and mom had two children by 1953 and he continued to do thest things. during this time some kids drove past him very fast and crashed their car. my dad getting off of the reserves and still being in uniform stopped a couple of the kids where dead but he did save the others by stabiliting them tell help arrived. and one young adult had major trama dad took his uniform jacket off and wrapped him up saving hs life tell help could get there. dad came home and mom seeing him covered in blood screamed until my dad calmed her and told her it was not his.

the year was 1957 my dad was starting to show signs of the disease he had lost an 1inch and half and at home he used to be a loving and decated husband and father but he was having more problems controling his emotions…he was in pain allot. the reserves still took my dad. and my dad had gooten a B/S degree in biology and education and he had then transfered to a methodist seminary to become a minister in 1950. by 1957 he had a nother degree and had completed chaplain school with thearmy reserves.

in 1961 i was born and the following spring he had a tabogoning accident which he could not move from and he wsa sent to fargo north dakota where it was discovered he had cushings as they called it from there he was sent to minnaplais/ minn where he stayed for 265 days. he had four major surgeries and 11 minor ones. trying to correct the symptoms of the disease. he had his gallbladder removed  mar 1963, due to gallstones, he had his adrenal glands jan/1963 removed due to the high levles of hormons.abscess from ruptured divrticulum .tepary colestemy repai at age 39 “1963”his doctor was dr. Pelzi he suffered from osteoperosis with fractures of th spine/back. clavicle and several ribs more then once.

after a serious illness in apr 1962 he was sent to fargo with compressed fractures of the spine, ankle edema, weight gain and th fractures.at the minneapolis hosp he showed he was in the late stages of the disease he had osteoperosis, with mutliple compressions fractures on inttering the hosptial in dec 1962 they found he had diverticulitis  of the sigmoid colon,5/9/63 with abscess they where drained at surgery 1/11/63 in mar at the same time they took his adrenal glands they took his gallbladder due to chronic chelecyelithiasishe was put on replacement hormone thearpy.he had high bllod pressure due to cushings. he then had to have more surgery to correct colon 5/14/1943 problem with aneatomeisi a tempary cocestomy was done and ended on 7/3/63 when  the colestomy was closed and his large bowel was then re-anastemesed.    on 7/5/1943 his family was called and told he was dying and there was nothing they could ddo to help him. mom rounded up us for kids and took us up to the hospital  dads parents had gotten there thirty minutes before and they pronounced my dad dead when they arrived.   when we got there mom called my dads name and he sat up in the bed and talked to her.  he got out of the hospital in sept of 1963. the military retired him and the methodist church also did. he was walking with the add of churths and a cain. he also could not longer control his emotions.

when he had entered the hospital they had given him a year to live. or they gave him the option for them to experiment on him. due to his young age and him being a man they felt like the research could help allot of people. the studdied him to find where the disease can from and what it did to all the systems of his body. they gave him a pention and all the hospitals etc was free due to him being in the military but on inactive statis. my dad choice to help people. he was 39 years old and i was two years old.

when dad got out of the hospital he would be calm and kind and the next mintue a raging out of control person. even though he was very weak and never could walk well picking up his feet as he walked but when he got angry he had the strength of ten men. at the hospital they had told my mom about dads changed behavior and wanted to instational lize him from then on. but my mom refused feeling he needed to be at home with his family.

dad lived and went from job to job every few months to maybe lasting a a year here or there.due to his uncontrolable temper. we moved to wyo. and he continued to go to the va hospital in cheyenne wyo trying to get stabilized.we moved from town to town and in 1964 my brother was born. dad was very unstable and wwas in constant pain. in 1967 he almost beat my mom and little brother to death. the law came and took him to the edge of twon and told him not to come back. a year latr a few dyas before his and moms divorce would have been final he called mom and begged her to let him come home she refused and he said I will kill myself mom had heard that one many times before and she said go ahead. he did on thier 25 wedding aniversary. the next day.

I tell you this story to let you know of my dad who was a good healthy man, who was a good father and dad he had two B/S degrees and was in the ww2 and in the military almost 20 years. he became a minister and was a good one i heard.  and then he got sick but instead of living without surgeryies etc he choose to help and let the doctors  experiment on him so it would help other people. his body shows his scars and i have some pictuers of him. the atopsy is a mistory abut the man who claimed to have done it said even though daddy ws 46 years old he had the body of a 98 year old man. he was lost four inchs in hiegth and wher in the last stages of canser…the md also said he did not know how daddy had lived that long with all his health concorns… i have many documents that back up what i have said… i have discovered them doing genealogy research…just me ginger hawn cooper

my dads name was Charles Hamilton Hawn the fourth..my oldest brother says daddy is in th medical books som wof the first in treating this illness…from 1962-1967

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Claudia C, Pituitary Bio

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A Golden Oldie

The pituitary gland

The pituitary gland

44 years old female, living in Guatemala diagnosed cushing disease 6 years ago, diabetic, hipertension, and 3 column hernias.

Try the surgery for the adenoma by it fail.

Try radiotherapy, but still waiting.

Suffering this damn disease.

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Barbara, Pituitary Bio

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A Golden Oldie

My name is Barbara Garcia from San Antonio, Texas. I am 48 yo.

pituitary-locationDiagnosed Tuesday with Cushings Disease. MRI shows 1.8 cm Pituitary Macroadenoma.

I have an appointment with the neurosurgeon on Tuesday.

Looking back, I am pretty sure this all started about 10 years ago. I am glad to finally have an answer and am hopeful that I will feel better after the surgery.

I feel like I owe my life to the wonderful endocrinologist who diagnosed me.

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Trisha, Pituitary Bio

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A Golden Oldie

pituitary-surgeryI was officially diagnosed with Cushings in December 2009. I had done several urine test ,they were inconsistant, I had the saliva test done, I had symptoms of cushings, brittle bones, fractures, fatigue, brusing, round face, weight gain quickly and hard to lose, lose focus, depression and arthritis beginning in my hands. IN December 09 I had a Dex. test done which quickly confirmed that I had cushings.

It took three years to get a diagnosis. So, I had surgery scheduled for Feb 2, 2010. I had a Cyst that ruptured so that was important to come out the surgeon removed 20 % of my pitutary, but didn’t get the tumor.

A few weeks after that surgery I have massive bleeding out my nose and mouth, and was in out of the emergency room for a week having my nose packed four times. After a month and going back to my Endo.  My endo. told me there was still a mass on my pitutary. I didn’t feel better I ached all over by the time I got home from work I was done for and could only go to bed.

In aug. 2010 I had the second surgery. the plan was to remove the mass on the left side of my pitutary if my cortisol level did not go down the day after surgery the surgeon would take me back in to remove the right side of my pitutary. Thank goodness after the blood work my cortosol was .6 so there was no need for a second surgery ( or third) I am now 4 month post surgery.

I am now taking 30 mg of hydrocortosol a day. My joints ache, I get fatigued around 1:00 and lose focus. I get very depressed some days and can do nothing. I am 46 years old and have a 19 year old son and 15 year old daughter, My husband is very supportive.

I feel so guilty for having this, people don’t understand how horrible I feel some days, just because the tumor is gone doesn’t mean I feel better. Not losing much weight yet which is frustrating. but exercising when I can.

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Sherry, Undiagnosed Bio

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A Golden Oldie

I am a Veteran who goes to the Veteran Clinic for my healthcare.  I have been going there for a little over a year.  I go to a womens clinic for both my primary care and gyn.

Backing up a bit…Since my youngest son who is turning 18 next month was about 3, I recall the onset of many of the symptoms of Cushing’s Disease.  However, I didn’t realize what was going on. I believe a lot of my symptoms started when I fell down backwards down a flight of stairs breaking my elbow and wrist.  I really haven’t been the same since. I have slowly put on 120 pounds over the years, all of it being in my mid-section.  I have suffered off and on migrane headaches. My arms and legs are thin as rails compaired to my mid body.  My skin has gotten transparent and dry.  I have the thick cushion of fat tissue between my shoulder blades.

Then in 2007 I had a severe hysterectomy due to massive bleeding/clotting and cysts.  I had serious complications which include blood clots in my legs and also a PE.  I have gone down hill from there.  My bones, muscles and joints ache so bad and can barely get up and down.  I can’t hardly stand more then a few minutes at a time. I have fluid retention so bad that my current doctor finally put me on lasix daily. Finally I suffer from depression and anxiety and I hate to go out in public because of my condition.  Though my husband gets frustrated with me he is still very protective of me and helps.

I have had so many doctors imply  that my problems are phycological or due to my obesity and I am simply tired of that.  I am on 17 medications now due to blood pressure, fluid retenstion, thyroid, diabetes, neuropathy, depression and anxiety, cholesterol and to insure against a heart attack.

I am 52 years old and I feel like my life is coming to an end.  I just recently was reassigned to another primary doctor as my old one left the clinic.  I didn’t like her at first, her personality was so different from my last doctor.  But Friday she did a completed physical and gyn exam.  She asked me if I had ever been diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease.  I had never heard of this disease.  She started pointing out all the classic signs. She decided she wanted me to have a blood test and was very determined I had it done.  I went home and researched it and indeed I have all but maybe one of the symptoms.

I am a little bit nervous about it and realize its a waiting game as far as tests and more test.  On the other hand I feel like I can finally put a name to what’s been going on and hopefully feel better.  I am glad I found this support group and would enjoy talking to others

UPDATE March 6, 2012: Also, additional systems include excessive hair growth on my face, foggy vision, inability to concentrate, red patchy marks on my arms and I have been told I am slightly bi-polar as well at suffering from anxiety and depression.

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Melissa C, Pituitary Bio

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A Golden Oldie

It started with severe skin acne on my back and arms. Then the bloating started. I went from one docter to the other. For months and months I was left undiagnosed. I gained so much weight, I went from a xs to a xl in a matter of 2 months.

My sugar levels was out of control and I could not concentrate on my studies. My hair started falling out and I got ugly stretch marks all over my hips and thighs.

I was finally diagnosed and had the tumar removed. Its a few weeks after surgery and I have started losing weight. I still feel ugly though, Im getting treated for low cortisol levels and I still have head aches.

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Wendy, Undiagnosed Bio

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A Golden Oldie

Hi My name is WENDY from New Zealand …I am 57 yrs young…I am a nurse…..it was once suggested by mail to my GP that I may have episodae cushings…and that it would be intersesting to take 24 urine specs for cortisol levels over a period of time….this was never done..I only became aware of these when I asked for a copy of all my notes as I was moving to Australia…..

My symptoms I believed robbed me of my former self…..

I stopped menstruating at 45yrs old….my weight would fluctuate wildly..sometimes by 10 to 15 pound… at one point wighing in at 100 kgs……and for no apparent reason losing weight as much as 4 -5 kgs……my happy out going approach to life would become sad.lifeless with a blunted facial affect…..heat intolerance…low energy…poor sleep…high blood pressure.

I have had the unusual presentation of  supraclavicle pads…..of no suspicious origin…

I have always managed to work but sadly these changes took their toll on my personal life….I remain optimistic.with the support of loving family and friends…..cushie helper I truly feel that my condition occurs in cycles…….

I await your thoughts….sincerely Wendy

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Patrick, Undiagnosed Bio

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A Golden Oldie

Hello everyone,

My name is Patrick and I live in Montreal, Quebec, and I’m 35 years old. I’m not very good in english so my bio will be as short as possible. Sorry about that, and let’s hope that you will be able to read my bio without any problems.

I have found this web site (cushings-help.com) because I was doing some research a few weeks ago on the internet about hypogonadism. Back in April, my new GP (one of the many I’ve been seeing for the last 10 years) wanted to test my testosterone levels and finally find out that I was indeed suffering of hypogonadism. Based on those results, he did recommended to me a Testosterone Replacement Therapy for a few months which I did start immediately.

Three months after the beginning of the TRT, I’ve been tested again to see if any improvements were noticed but, surprisingly my testosterone levels were lower then before I’ve first started the TRT (twice as low to be precise).

So, he then ordered a CT Scan of my pituitary gland to make sure everything was okay with my pituitary gland. I received the results of the scan two weeks ago and, according to him, everything is “normal”. He suggested that I should try some testosterone injections insted of both gels I’ve tryed so far. During my last visit, I talked to him about some ressemblance between the symptoms of Cushing disease and my symptoms which are :

– Rapid weight gain (70 lb in 18 months mainly at the torso)
– Severe depression for the last 7 years at least
– Broken vertebrae in 2005 for no apparent reason
– Circadian rhythm completely out of whack (can’t sleep without  my 15 mg of Zopiclon each night for the last 5 years)
–  Suicidal thoughts (one attempt in 2004)
– Hypogonadism (total and biodisponible testosterone levels of 4.32 nmol/L after three months of TRT)
– LH and FSH deficiency
– Higher cortisol level at 4 pm than 8 am
– Stretch marks
– Changes of my skin (thinner and dryer, take longer to heel)
– Deacreased libido
– Lost of strength, body mass and stamina
– Joint pain (especially in the knees and hips)
– Headaches
– Congnitive difficulties
– etc. etc. etc.

He did try to reassure me that it wasn’t Cushing, but because I know that Cushing is often misdiagnosed, I ask him to see an endocrinologist anyway. Thankfully, I have an appointment next December 3rd.

I will try to update my profile as soon as I will have any further developments. If you have any questions or advices, please feel free to let me know.

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Christina B, Adrenal Bio

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A Golden Oldie

Diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma. Awaiting surgery to have it removed!

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Nele, Pituitary Bio

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A Golden Oldie

I was born on Febr 1949 in a Village near Cologne Germany I have 1 Sister and a Brother and we all grow up healthy and happy.  I finished College in 1972 and worked as a RN in several Hospitals and Depatments.

1986 we had a terrible automobil accident and after taking Xrays from my head the found a macro tu.It  took me by a surprise..  i was shocked, even do i looked like a cushie for years(doc were telling me i should eat less)  so finaly i was diagnosed and  the havy set girl had a  name….  sadly to say. Cortisol levels were elevated but what was most shocking to the Endokriologist were the  huge ACTH level  .. normal level at that time was 100  ,mys were after the 2 time taking 12000. Little did I know what will happen to me (even as a Nurse i  myself the first Patient i saw with Chusing)  That time there where not many people who had that desease  .The adrenal  glands were normal no Tu ,but i had a macro tu in my  pituritay.It took more testting and preparation to  go to surgery.

The took all the test that where needed to be done at that time  (1986)  and on OKt the 6 i want into surgery, which changed my life forever…after surgery. The removed the Pituritary   i had a drainage in my back for liqour liquid… my head was hurting terrible  after a couple days i had the empty sella symptoms…for 3 days i had stars in front of me  may i  say it like that.  And than the  Diabetes Insipidus startet… which stayed with me for 10 years.I am full replacement of all hormons  and since one year i get  growth hormones which give  me a bit more energy .In the meantime i baddle the desease osteoporopsis, what ever i do it  takes over my body  ((((

If i can help anybody please feel free to contact me

Much love my fellow chushies from

Nele Weal

Please i am so sorry for mistakes i made in english here   i am german National and speak  well english but the writing part is hard for me


Note: Nele submitted a second version of her bio:

HellO I am Nele born in Febr 1949 in Germany lived there want to school there and college . I am a retired RN .

In 1986, we had a terrible car accident, and my head was xrayd and the found the tu. But weight gain i had for many years . Not one doc thought, that  i  might have cushings, not the tested me for it.All i heard was loose weight stop eating.  which i never was a overeater  anyway.

MY ACTH levels were so high… that the never dod the 3 test..  the 2 test came back into the 12000 normal would  have been that time around 100.IN Okt 1986 i had my surgery, and this changed my life for ever….  the removed my pituritary totaly .

My Surgeon said  that the P was through and through woth Tu mass..after Surgery i had D I  and drank so much and this for 10 years i had shots for it as well  .  I forgot how big the TU was. I had all ready blind spots in my vision..  which i never realized because, what you don’t see you move your head.

I am on 100% replacement Meds including thyroids  HYC and since one year i been getting  growth hormons  which help me a lot with my energy level.  But the downfall of all the  HYC  is  i have severe  osteoporosis and   get tretament for this now. I doing ok i guess. life is not easy living with the desease but we are positive and move forwards.

Sorry for my bad english .  i have a hard time writing, in speaking i am better.

Have a nice day

Love  Nele

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