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Melissa (Melissa), Suspected Pituitary Bio

August 2, 2015

MaryO Hypothyroidism, Other Diagnosis, PCOS, Pituitary, Undiagnosed , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The pituitary gland

The pituitary gland

At only 19, I have been through a lot medically. I went through puberty at the young age of 8 and by age 15 was diagnosed with osteoporosis after breaking 20 bones within a year’s time. I had always had hormone problems and was put on birth control pills in hope to help.

This January I stopped the pill and within a few days started to feel crazy. After an allergic reaction to nuts I went to the hospital and was put on prednisone. Within a few days I was miserable and ended up on suicide watch. I knew my hormones were wacky and I had panic attacks, depression and anxiety all of which I never had before.

Over the next two months I gained 40+ Lbs all in my stomach and got “moon face” with a slight buffalo hump. I was exhausted all the time. I bruised easily and was afraid to talk to doctors for fear they would put me in a mental ward for my anxiety and depression. I could barely sleep through the night becuase of nightmares. I had no libido and started growing a lot of facial and body hair…

When I came home from freshman year, I finally went to the doctors. Urologists, cardiologists, endocrinologist, gynogylogists you name it. Most wrote me off. The endocrinologist diagnosed me with PCOS and hypothyroidism after blood work and becuase of my symptoms. However I kept having headaches and would be freezing and rapid rate heart even when laying down. I finally perseuded the doctor to do a brain MRI. I got the results last week and there is a suspected 3mm pituitary microadenoma. Of course my endocrinologist left for a month vacation and I go back to school next week.

Right now I’m in the process of figuring out where to go and what to do but I feel like this would be the closest thing to what I have… Hopefully answers will come soon

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Dawn M (Lind8588), Steroid Induced Bio

October 22, 2014

MaryO Steroid-Induced , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

I have suffered from severe asthma and environmental allergies since I was a young child.  They used steroids as a way to help me breathe and stop hives.

As I got older, things just got worse.  More steroids, more allergy medications, etc.

Two years ago I started losing energy, lacking the urge to eat, having daily headaches, gaining weight even with exercise and sleeping a lot.  I thought it was stress as I was finishing my doctoral degree.  My regular doctor tried everything.

Finally, she sent me to Mayo in Minnesota and they diagnosed me with exogenous Cushing’s.  I had the buffalo hump, striae and moon face.  They did not give me any medications but told me to stop taking steroids.  Also, they found that my Vitamin D was a 9 so they loaded my Vitamin D.  I slowly started to feel better for the first six months.  I now seem to be going back downhill.  I am exhausted all the time.  I have no idea where to turn.  I am starting here and also looking for a local endocrinologist, otherwise I may return to Mayo.

 

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Marki (Marki), Undiagnosed Bio

May 6, 2013

MaryO Pituitary , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Hi!

My name is Marki, and I am a 21 year old student. I have been suffering from Cushing’s-like symptoms for a while now, and the doctor at my college health center just recently told me that I most likely have Cushing’s.

My symptoms have all intensified over the past few years. I have gained almost 60 pounds in the last 11 months, I feel weak and tired almost all the time and my muscles have gotten so weak that I have a hard time walking up 2 flights of stairs to my apartment. I sleep for at least 10 hours a night, and have to set at least 5 alarms to be able to wake up for my 9:15 class, and I still end up missing it a lot of the time. I feel like I am walking around in a fog most of the time, and school is harder than it’s ever been. I am having a really hard time retaining information, even after studying for hours.

About 3 years ago I started growing hair under my chin, and getting stretch marks on my boobs. The stretch marks have now appeared on my belly below and around my belly button. My hair has always been really thick, and I have noticed that it is a lot thinner than it has ever been. I have also developed a lot of new allergies, including raspberries, tide laundry soap, nickel, and something else that I haven’t figured out yet, so I have a rash all over my stomach, armpits and thighs. I have had severe headaches since I was about 14, and they are getting more and more common. I also get frequent sinus infections. I got implanon (a type of birth control that they implant in your arm) about a year ago, and haven’t had a period since it was inserted. I have been on birth control (perscribed because of the hair on my chin) since I was 17, so I don’t really know if my period would be regular without it or not.

When I went into the health center I told the doctor about all of these symptoms, and his first thought was PCOS. I had an ultrasound, and there were no cysts. He then started testing me for Cushing’s and referred me to an endo in San Francisco. The endo ordered both a 24 hour urine test and a midnight saliva to be done before my appointment. These were the results:

24 hour-

range- 0-50

me- 49.7

Midnight saliva-

range- .5-1

me- 9.16

So, my free cortisol was within range, and my saliva was more that 9 times the normal levels. I have read a lot about Cushing’s in the last two weeks, but I still have a lot of questions! If anyone has any advice on how to deal with the sleep issues, what tests to request, or any other advice, I would really appreciate it! I need to figure out how to stay awake during the day so I can pass my classes!

Update:

My names Marki, and I am a 21 year old senior at Westmont College. After I finish my bachelors I plan on going to Physicians Assistant school to get my masters. This has been a crazy year for me. A few months ago, my doctor told me that I might have Cushing’s, and since then it has been a constant parade of tests. My body and attitude have changed SO much, and it is making school and life in general really hard. I am lucky to have the support of my family and friends, and I can’t wait to get through this and get on with my life! If anyone has any advice, feel free to message me 🙂

Alexis (Alexis), Undiagnosed Bio

April 30, 2013

MaryO Undiagnosed , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

I’m 32 year old female from Virgina Beach. I started to write this really long story here but then decided I will wait and see if my test comes back positive for cushing’s. I will say that I have been dealing with the craziest symptoms over the past 6 months. Look back I think my health issues are related to this disease. I have always dealt with kidney stones and allergies.

My current symptoms include

-Buffalo Hump

-Horrible pain in back, arm and legs

-Kidney Stones

-Mood Swings

-Gained 25 lbs

-Fogginess, can’t complete sentences

-Moon Face

-Swelling in neck. Neck went from 15.25 in to 18 in.

-High Mono count on blood test and low Vitamin D

-Lethargic

-Crazy sensations, numbness, burning, aching

-Really high resting heart beat

My Primary Care Doctor, Pain Management Doctor and ER doctor’s had no clue. Most look at you crazy or they know something is wrong but had no idea what. They really didn’t do any detailed testing until 2 months after all the symptoms.  I was so frustrated. They got me into a Neurologist which I see this week. Luckily, I switched primary care doctor’s and after one visit  with my new doctor she decided to test me for Cushing’s. I’m a very detailed person and really started to pay attention to my symptoms. I started to keep a journal and took photographs as my body was changing.  I think my new doctor had an advantage.   I’m grateful I met her and that she took time to look at my history and is willing to think outside the box.

Mind you I am an athlete, I love the outdoors, wakeboarding and being active is important to me. Since March I have completely changed. I’m lucky to make it to work. I always look forward getting away from work and going home to sleep. The pain is unbearable in my legs and back.  I refuse to take medicine until I get a diagnosis. I don’t want any meds to mask the symptoms.

I work in a recreation center where my heart belongs and it makes me sad to see how my body has changed but I’m grateful for my new doctor and hopefully will get back to normal soon.

Whether I have Cushing’s or not I’m glad I came across this site to see such a wonderful support group.

Sincerely,

Alexis

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