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Alicia (Alicia), PCOS Bio

January 3, 2026

MaryO Pituitary , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Hi everyone,

I’m Alicia and I’m 18. I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS but it does not explain all of my symptoms. I used to be super athletic and played 3 sports. I got my period at 13 and it was regular. However, I started losing my periods.

At first they would come every few months but have since stopped completely. I have lost a lot of weight, especially muscle. I had to stop playing soccer because my leg muscles were giving out. At the same time I got very bad acne and started sweating through all my clothes. My hair started falling out of my head. I ordered rogaine at age 15 because the bald spots on my head were so embarrassing.

I’ve been on 3 different acne medications and accutane. I have been working since I was 14 but I can no longer stand through my shifts even though I am only working 5 hours at a time. I feel like absolute crap and the worst part is I’m so weak. And my appearance has changed a lot. My face is round, red, and my eyelids are swollen. I don’t recognize myself and can’t stand to look in the mirror. My arms and legs are sticks and I can’t gain muscle no matter what I try. I get sick all the time, I’ve had strep twice, oral yeast infections, UTIS in the past couple months.

I went to an endocrinologist about a year ago who tested for a bunch of common hormone problems. All of my adrenal hormones were high. Testosterone, DHEA, androstenedione, and aldosterone. However, my cortisol levels were never tested. I was told I have PCOS but there were no cysts on my ovaries.

I found a new endocrinologist who mentioned testing my cortisol levels, but later decided not to because I am underweight and cushing’s usually causes weight gain. To me, it seems like I could have the atypical kind, which causes asthenia instead of weight gain.

Let me know if anyone has suggestions on what to do now, I would really appreciate it. I am still in high school and I’m genuinely worried for my future if I can’t figure this out.

Peace and Love,
Alicia

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Sushmita Sen’s battle with Addison’s disease

December 1, 2025

MaryO Addison's Disease, Adrenal, News Items , , , , , Leave a comment

It was in 2014 when the actress left her fans shocked when she revealed that she was diagnosed with Addison’s disease. Talking about her condition, Sushmita said that the years she battled Addison’s disease “were pretty traumatising”. After fighting for 4 long years with the chronic condition, the actress healed and emerged stronger by exercising daily.

Addison’s disease is a disorder in which the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones. The gland present just above the kidneys starts producing too little cortisol and too little aldosterone. The condition can affect people of all age groups and sexes. The symptoms of the disease develop slowly but can be life-threatening if not treated on time. Extreme fatigue, weight loss, darkening skin, low blood pressure, salt craving are some of the signs of Addison’s disease. Treatment of the condition involves taking hormones to make up for the missing ones. The disease is caused when the adrenal glands are damaged, affecting the production of cortisol and aldosterone hormones.

Post recovery, the 46-year-old actress shared that meditating with nunchaku helped to fight the disease and helped in the healing process. “I healed in time, my adrenal glands woke up, no more steroids, no withdrawals and no auto-immune condition as of 2019,” she had shared. Even after that, Sushmita kept on with her extensive workout to stay fit and healthy. From time to time the actress shares a glimpse of her workout routine which includes yoga, meditation, callisthenics and bodyweight workout.

Adapted from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/sushmita-sens-battle-with-addisons-disease-and-the-workout-that-helped-her-emerge-stronger/photostory/87988141.cms

David T (Wombat), Adrenal Bio

October 12, 2025

MaryO Adrenal, Adrenal Surgery, Cyclic, Male, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

adrenal-locationHi, I have been diagnosed with probable cyclical adrenal cushings. This all started after a scan on my abdomen for something unrelated revealed bilateral adrenal adenomas. When I googled adrenal adenoma everything fitted into place. I had been depressed , put weight on which were my main symptoms along with anxiety.

I was then referred to an endocrinologist in the UK who ordered some initial tests. I did Two 24hr UFC’s on consecutive days one came back at 36 and the one the day after was 91(normal below 50. Another time the normal range was 165 and the 1st one was 108 and the one the day after was 393.

I then did an overnight dexamethasone test and suppressed below 50 to 48. My endocrinologist then said he didn’t think I had cushings and said come back in six months and said it might be due to stress. I then got a second opinion and then the real testing started.

Roll forward four years and I have done about 30 – 24hr UFC’s numerous ACTH and full blood counts. renin and aldersterone, metoclopramide test, glucagon test, vassopression test, oral glucose stimultation test, day curve cortisol, spent a day in hospital walking round the ward for two hours, then eating a mixed meal and then sitting down for two hours while they tested my cortisol every hour . Did a Low Dose Dexamethasone Test and came out in a rash and my blood pressure dropped so got told I can’t do the test again. Had a bone density scan. I hIad a pituitary scan that revealed a lump inside my tongue and then had to have a whole body scan followed by a tongue biopsy(which turned out to be benign.

I have had about five CT scans on my adrenal glands and was referred to an endocrine surgeon this week who is going to perform a right adrenalectomy. The right one is 4cm in diameter.

He said looking at the scan he thinks it looks like macro nodular adrenal hyperplasia but wont know till pathology get to examine the specimen.

It’s been a long, long journey but finally looks like it’s coming to a conclusion now.

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Louise, Addison’s Disease

September 27, 2025

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Arianna Corrieri is still at primary school, but has a responsibility beyond her years.

The 10-year-old helps care for her mum Louise, who for the past five years has struggled with several illnesses, including the rare disorder Addison’s disease – which leave her fatigued and unwell.

That means Arianna has to help her mum take medication and look after her younger brothers, while also getting herself to school.

Now the Motherwell schoolgirl has been nominated for a BBC Make a Difference award, with the winners to be announced next Monday.

For Louise, the impact of her daughter’s help is clear every single day.

“Without Arianna, I wouldn’t be able to get through my day,” she says.

“I know it sounds ridiculous because she is only 10 years old but she genuinely does so much. It’s bonkers given her age but she is really responsible.

“The understanding she has of everything to do with the illness is unbelievable.”

Louise told BBC Scotland News she was previously a bright and bubbly mum until several years ago, when she found herself constantly tired and having to go to hospital regularly.

Doctors eventually diagnosed her with Addison’s disease – a rare disorder of the adrenal glands that means they do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

That has left Louise reliant on dozens of tablets to manage the condition and generate hormones artificially, although she recently was able to move onto a infusion pump to help her.

“Steroids keep me alive, it’s as simple as that,” she says.

However Louise was then diagnosed with another condition, gastroparesis.

This means Louise’s stomach digests food slower than it should, resulting in her having a restricted diet – to the extent even drinks like coffee can only be taken a certain way.

The overall result is a constant battle with chronic conditions, leaving Louise with no energy, regular sickness and sometimes low moods.

“The worst time of the day is first thing in the morning,” says Louise.

“I need to take fake hormones to get going, but I will always feel groggy when I wake up, until they take effect.

“Arianna makes sure her brothers are ready to go, checks they’re eating her breakfast and gets ready for school – it’s like she’s the mum at that point.”

Adrenal crisis

Louise’s husband works night shifts, which is why Arianna has to take charge sometimes.

A cheerful girl who speaks enthusiastically about her love for horse riding, Arianna says she tries to do “whatever I can” to help out her mum, from helping her with taking tablets to walking the family’s dog when Louise is too unwell to go out.

She also needs to be prepared for her mum’s condition worsening quickly.

Addison’s disease sufferers can sometimes be struck by what’s called an adrenal crisis – when levels of the hormone cortisol falls significantly in a person’s body.

If left untreated, it can be fatal.

“When you’ve got a long term illness, even when you need to go to hospital, sometimes you don’t want to” says Louise.

“You can be adamant you’re not that bad and don’t need to go anywhere. Arianna knows when to override me and tell me I need to go to hospital.”

Make A Difference awards

Louise explained how some of Arianna’s friends don’t understand why she can’t always go out, or why the schoolgirl is so keen to be around her mum.

She added being nominated for the Make a Difference award, in the Young Hero category, had been a huge boost for her daughter.

The awards seek to recognise those who go the extra mile to improve life across the country.

Arianna will learn at the end of the month whether she has won the honour, with a ceremony taking place in Glasgow and the winners announced on BBC Radio Scotland’s Mornings programme with Kaye Adams on 29 September.

The judge for the award is Sheli McCoy, the CrossFit athlete and weightlifter who is best known as Sabre in smash-hit Saturday night show Gladiators.

“Arianna does more than most adults do,” says Louise.

“She’s an inspiration to everybody and we’re all beyond proud of her.”

From https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgjvy4jz59o