November 3, 2021
MaryO
Adrenal Insufficiency, Growth Hormone Deficiency, MaryO, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Treatments, Update
Adrenal insufficiency, blackberries, cancer, circus, Cortef, cortisone, cortisone shot, Cushing's Help and Support boards, cushing's syndrome, Dr. Ed Oldfield, endocrinologist, Giving Thanks, growth hormone, Harvey Cushing, Kenalog, Kidney cancer, knee issues, lymph nodes, message board, MOHS surgery, National Institutes of Health, nephrectomy, neurosurgeon, NIH, pituitary, pituitary surgery, Prednisone, remission, Renal cell carcinoma, Ringling Brothers, squamous cell carcinoma, success, Thankful
Today is the 34th anniversary of my pituitary surgery at NIH.
As one can imagine, it hasn’t been all happiness and light. Most of my journey has been documented here and on the message boards – and elsewhere around the web.
My Cushing’s has been in remission for most of these 34 years. Due to scarring from my pituitary surgery, I developed adrenal insufficiency.
I took growth hormone for a while.
When I got kidney cancer, I had to stop the GH, even though no doctor would admit to any connection between the two.
A few years ago I went back on it (Omnitrope this time). I am posting some of how that’s going here.
During nephrectomy, doctors removed my left kidney, my adrenal gland, and some lymph nodes. Thankfully, the cancer was contained – but my adrenal insufficiency is even more severe than it was.
In the last several years, I’ve developed ongoing knee issues. Because of my cortisol use to keep the AI at bay, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to get a cortisone injection in my knee. September 12, 2018 I did get that knee injection (Kenalog) and it’s been one of the best things I ever did. I didn’t look forward to telling my endo! I have had a couple more injections. I’ve been approved for a new gel injection but haven’t started that yet – that would be a three-time injection over 3 weeks.
I also developed an allergy to blackberries last October and had to take Prednisone – and I had to tell my endo that, too!
This year I had squamous cell carcinoma on my nose and had Mohs Surgery.
But, this is a post about Giving Thanks. The series will be continued on this blog unless I give thanks about something else Cushing’s related 🙂
I am so thankful that in 1987 the NIH existed and that my endo knew enough to send me there.
I am thankful for Dr. Ed Oldfield, my pituitary neurosurgeon at NIH. Unfortunately, Dr. Oldfield died.
I’m thankful for Dr. Harvey Cushing and all the work he did. Otherwise, I might be the fat lady in Ringling Brothers now.
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November 3, 2019
MaryO
Adrenal Insufficiency, Growth Hormone Deficiency, MaryO, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Treatments, Update
Adrenal insufficiency, blackberries, circus, Cortef, cortisone, cortisone shot, Cushing's Help and Support boards, cushing's syndrome, Dr. Ed Oldfield, endocrinologist, Giving Thanks, growth hormone, Harvey Cushing, Kenalog, Kidney cancer, knee issues, lymph nodes, message board, National Institutes of Health, nephrectomy, neurosurgeon, NIH, pituitary, pituitary surgery, Prednisone, remission, Renal cell carcinoma, Ringling Brothers, success, Thankful
Today is the 32nd anniversary of my pituitary surgery at NIH.
As one can imagine, it hasn’t been all happiness and light. Most of my journey has been documented here and on the message boards – and elsewhere around the web.
My Cushing’s has been in remission for most of these 31 years. Due to scarring from my pituitary surgery, I developed adrenal insufficiency.
I took growth hormone for a while.
When I got kidney cancer, I had to stop the GH, even though no doctor would admit to any connection between the two.
Last year I went back on it (Omnitrope this time) in late June. Hooray! I still don’t know if it’s going to work but I have high hopes. I am posting some of how that’s going here.
During nephrectomy, doctors removed my left kidney, my adrenal gland, and some lymph nodes. Thankfully, the cancer was contained – but my adrenal insufficiency is even more severe than it was.
In the last couple years, I’ve developed ongoing knee issues. Because of my cortisol use to keep the AI at bay, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to get a cortisone injection in my knee. September 12, 2018 I did get that knee injection (Kenalog) and it’s been one of the best things I ever did. I didn’t look forward to telling my endo! I have had a couple more injections.
I also developed an allergy to blackberries in October and had to take Prednisone – and I had to tell my endo that, too!
My mom has moved in with us, bring some challenges…
But, this is a post about Giving Thanks. The series will be continued on this blog unless I give thanks about something else Cushing’s related 🙂
I am so thankful that in 1987 the NIH existed and that my endo knew enough to send me there.
I am thankful for Dr. Ed Oldfield, my pituitary neurosurgeon at NIH. Unfortunately, Dr. Oldfield died.
I’m thankful for Dr. Harvey Cushing and all the work he did. Otherwise, I might be the fat lady in Ringling Brothers now.
To be continued in the following days here at http://www.maryo.co/
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November 3, 2018
MaryO
Adrenal Insufficiency, Growth Hormone Deficiency, MaryO, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Treatments, Update
Adrenal insufficiency, blackberries, circus, Cortef, cortisone, cortisone shot, Cushing's Help and Support boards, cushing's syndrome, Dr. Ed Oldfield, endocrinologist, Giving Thanks, growth hormone, Harvey Cushing, Kenalog, Kidney cancer, knee issues, lymph nodes, message board, National Institutes of Health, nephrectomy, neurosurgeon, NIH, pituitary, pituitary surgery, Prednisone, remission, Renal cell carcinoma, Ringling Brothers, success, Thankful
Today is the 31st anniversary of my pituitary surgery at NIH.
As one can imagine, it hasn’t been all happiness and light. Most of my journey has been documented here and on the message boards – and elsewhere around the web.
My Cushing’s has been in remission for most of these 31 years. Due to scarring from my pituitary surgery, I developed adrenal insufficiency.
I took growth hormone for a while.
When I got kidney cancer, I had to stop the GH, even though no doctor would admit to any connection between the two.
Last year I went back on it (Omnitrope this time) in late June. Hooray! I still don’t know if it’s going to work but I have high hopes. I am posting some of how that’s going here.
During nephrectomy, doctors removed my left kidney, my adrenal gland, and some lymph nodes. Thankfully, the cancer was contained – but my adrenal insufficiency is even more severe than it was.
In the last couple years, I’ve developed ongoing knee issues. Because of my cortisol use to keep the AI at bay, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to get a cortisone injection in my knee. September 12, 2018 I did get that knee injection (Kenalog) and it’s been one of the best things I ever did. I’m not looking forward to telling my endo!
I also developed an allergy to blackberries in October and had to take Prednisone – and I’ll have to tell my endo that, too!
My mom has moved in with us, bring some challenges…
But, this is a post about Giving Thanks. The series will be continued on this blog unless I give thanks about something else Cushing’s related 🙂
I am so thankful that in 1987 the NIH existed and that my endo knew enough to send me there.
I am thankful for Dr. Ed Oldfield, my pituitary neurosurgeon at NIH. Unfortunately, Dr. Oldfield died in the last year.
I’m thankful for Dr. Harvey Cushing and all the work he did. Otherwise, I might be the fat lady in Ringling Brothers now.
To be continued in the following days here at http://www.maryo.co/
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November 3, 2017
MaryO
Adrenal Insufficiency, Growth Hormone Deficiency, MaryO, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Treatments
Adrenal insufficiency, circus, Cortef, cortisone, Cushing's Help and Support boards, cushing's syndrome, Dr. Ed Oldfield, endocrinologist, Giving Thanks, growth hormone, Harvey Cushing, Kidney cancer, knee issues, lymph nodes, message board, National Institutes of Health, neurosurgeon, NIH, pituitary, pituitary surgery, remission, Renal cell carcinoma, Ringling Brothers, success
Today is the 30th anniversary of my pituitary surgery at NIH.
As one can imagine, it hasn’t been all happiness and light. Most of my journey has been documented here and on the message boards – and elsewhere around the web.
My Cushing’s has been in remission for most of these 30 years. Due to scarring from my pituitary surgery, I developed adrenal insufficiency.
I took growth hormone for a while.
When I got kidney cancer, I had to stop the GH, even though no doctor would admit to any connection between the two. Even when I got to 10 years NED (no evidence of disease) from cancer, I couldn’t go back on the GH.
However, this year I went back on it (Omnitrope this time) in late June. Hooray! I still don’t know if it’s going to work but I have high hopes. I am posting some of how that’s going here.
During that surgery, doctors removed my left kidney, my adrenal gland, and some lymph nodes. Thankfully, the cancer was contained – but my adrenal insufficiency is even more severe than it was.
In the last couple years, I’ve developed ongoing knee issues. Because of my cortisol use to keep the AI at bay, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to get a cortisone injection in my knee.
My mom has moved in with us, bring some challenges…
But, this is a post about Giving Thanks. The series will be continued on this blog unless I give thanks about something else Cushing’s related 🙂
I am so thankful that in 1987 the NIH existed and that my endo knew enough to send me there.
I am thankful for Dr. Ed Oldfield, my pituitary neurosurgeon at NIH. Unfortunately, Dr. Oldfield died a couple months ago.
I’m thankful for Dr. Harvey Cushing and all the work he did. Otherwise, I might be the fat lady in Ringling Brothers now.
To be continued in the following days here at http://www.maryo.co/
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July 25, 2017
MaryO
Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments
24-hour urinary free cortisol, IPSS, MRI, neurosurgeon, OHSU, Oregon Health & Science University, pituitary, success
Hi, my name is Crystal and I’m new. I’m a 35 yr.old mother of a 5 yr. old with more energy in her little pinky than I have in an entire day and I’m married to an amazing man, who makes living with this possible.
I was finally diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease (excreting pituitary tumor). In April 2017. I had the typical doctor who didn’t believe me so I took it into my own hands and figured out what I thought was going on….Cushings without a doubt in my mind.
So I went to a naturopath and asked her to order me a 24 hr. urine test and when she got it she said I need to go to an endo asap. I had already made appointments with two, one being at OHSU in Oregon with one of the best pit. teams in the US. I only live 2 hrs. away and am sooo lucky for that. I know many people have to travel much further to get the best healthcare for this.
Anyways, the endo I saw in Portland looked at me and immediately and said I had a very cushoid appearance and that we needed to do about 6 tests in the next two weeks. I did the tests, then had to do an MRI, which showed a 5×4 tumor in my pituitary gland, next was an IPSS to make sure it was 100% pituitary and not ectopic coming from somewhere else in my body. Once this was all confirmed I was scheduled for surgery in June.
As my surgery date approached, my symptoms got significantly worse and I finally called my endo to tell them. The nurse told me I had to deal with it until surgery and that there was nothing tI could do about my symptoms. Within 5 minutes of hanging up the assistant to the neurosurgeon called and told me surgery was being moved to the following week which was four days away. I had the transsphenoidal surgery about 6 weeks ago and my cortisol dropped to 0.6 in less than 24 hours after surgery. The neurosurgeon said I was technically in remission and although I’m happy, it seems to good to be true after the last couple years I’ve had. I came to this site looking for information on recovery. I know everyone is different and I was warned a little bit about it, but I’m pretty miserable and very curious how others recoveries are going.
Thanks, glad to be here. Crystal
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November 3, 2016
MaryO
Adrenal Insufficiency, Cancer, MaryO, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Treatments
Adrenal insufficiency, circus, Cortef, cortisone, Cushing's Help and Support boards, cushing's syndrome, Dr. Ed Oldfield, endocrinologist, Giving Thanks, growth hormone, Harvey Cushing, Kidney cancer, knee issues, lymph nodes, message board, National Institutes of Health, neurosurgeon, NIH, pituitary, pituitary surgery, remission, Renal cell carcinoma, Ringling Brothers, success
Today is the 29th anniversary of my pituitary surgery at NIH.
As one can imagine, it hasn’t been all happiness and light. Most of my journey has been documented here and on the message boards – and elsewhere around the web.
My Cushing’s has been in remission for most of these 29 years. Due to scarring from my pituitary surgery, I developed adrenal insufficiency.
I took growth hormone for a while.
When I got kidney cancer, I had to stop the GH, even though no doctor would admit to any connection between the two. Even though I’m now 10 years NED (no evidence of disease) from cancer, I still can’t go back on the GH.
During that surgery, doctors removed my left kidney, my adrenal gland, and some lymph nodes. Thankfully, the cancer was contained – but my adrenal insufficiency is even more severe than it was.
In the last year, I’ve developed ongoing knee issues. Because of my Cortef use to keep the AI at bay, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to get a cortisone injection in my knee.
My mom has moved in with us, bring some challenges…
But, this is a post about Giving Thanks. The series will be continued on another blog unless I give thanks about something else Cushing’s related 🙂
I am so thankful that in 1987 the NIH existed and that my endo knew enough to send me there.
I am thankful for Dr. Ed Oldfield, my pituitary neurosurgeon at NIH.
I’m thankful for Dr. Harvey Cushing and all the work he did. Otherwise, I might be the fat lady in Ringling Brothers now.
To be continued in the following days at http://www.maryo.co/
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April 20, 2016
MaryO
Male, Pituitary, Success Stories
bruising, Cushing's disease, male, sleep, success, weight
In September 2011 I’d been running and blacked out. Through the rest of the year even though I was careful about what I ate, was swimming 80 lengths of the pool everyday and running pretty regularly I was still gaining weight. It’s weird that I found it hard to climb the stairs at work because my thighs felt so weak but could still swim a couple of km. I found it difficult to sleep and bruised pretty easily.
It was a bit of a shock to be told I might have a very rare brain tumour releasing the hormone cortisol that affects 10 in a Million people. Things went downhill and Cushing’s Disease really started breaking apart my body. My muscles wasted and I carried on putting on fat. Joints skin and feet were all affected. I’ve heard Cushing’s Disease called the ugly disease so yep not great.
Read the entire article at: Cushing’s Disease and how a brain tumour made me fat. – Skeptical Artist
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March 8, 2015
MaryO
Cyclic, Hashimoto's, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Thyroid, Treatments
Adrenal, cortisol, cyclical Cushing's, Cytomel, dexamethasone suppression test, eyes, Golden Oldie, Hashimoto's, heart arrhythmia, MRI, neurosurgeon, pituitary tumor, prolactin, salivary, success, Synthroid, thyroid, transsphenoidal, UFC, urine test
I started back in Jan 08 with a heart arrythmia that ultimately put me through weeks of cardio testing. All cardio came up negative, including passing the stress test at 110% for my age. I went back to my PCP and she was deadended with answers.
I started to advocate for myself asking if it could be endocrine since I had been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease(a type of Hypothroidism) in 2002. In particular I asked her if she thought my adrenal system was the culprit. My doc said well let’s check cortisol levels. I did a salivary cortisol test that, according to the endocrinologist my doc spoke with said, was the highest he had seen.
They ordered up an MRI and confirmed a Pituitary Tumor on June 27th. My doc reacted quickly and had me go for an emergency eye exam that day to check visual fields…they were fine. Then my doc had me do urine and dexamethasone testing to see if cortisol levels could be duplicated.
Early July I had a phone call from my doc stating that since the other tests for cortisol came back normal they felt I had a non-functioning tumor but still wanted me to meet with a neurosurgeon. Finally on Aug 5th I met with the surgeon.
In the meantime I had been reading whatever I could get my hands on. I was prepared with many questions to the surgeon. Before I was in the room talking with him for 15 min. he mentioned Cyclic Cushing’s as a possibility. He had me repeat the salivary testing for 5 days…all came back normal. So the opinion remained that I may have Cyclic Cushings or can watch the tumor and symtoms or I could have the tumor removed for peace of mind.
I opted to have the surgery. to remove the tumor. Last Mon. Sept 29th I had Transsphenoidal surgery to remove the tumor. On Fri. Oct 3rd the neurosurgeon called with the pathology report results being that it was an ACTH(aka Cortisol) and Prolactin Tumor. He was vague to make a formal statement to agree that it was Cyclic Cushings.
So I am home on the mend 1 week post op…glad I made the decision to go forward with tumor removal. The medical system is curious though how they appeared almost afraid to make any formal opinions. Although the surgeon did state that Cyclic Cushings is difficult to diagnose. In my opinion, the evidence is in the pathology report!
Maybe it is my imagination, but I already feel like my “old self” back 10 yrs. ago. The other bit of history for me is that after my hypothroidism was diagnosed and I was stabilized on Synthroid and Cytomel I could never get weight off and in less than 6 months in 2005 I gained 40+lbs. No matter what I tried to do for weight loss I could not budge more than 5 lbs. I am now anxiouis to see how I do. I meet with the neurosurgeon in 5 weeks. He and possibly an endocrinologist will be following my health. Time will tell but I do feel I am on the right track.
Thanks for listening!
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December 13, 2013
MaryO
Adrenal Surgery, Ectopic, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Thyroid, Treatments
ACTH, adrenal gland, bilateral adrenalectomy, BLA, cholesterol, cortisol, cure, cushing's, cushing's syndrome, diabetes, Dr. Johnny Delashaw, Dr. William H. Ludlam, ectopic, endocrine, God Bless, hair loss, hypertension, hypophysectomy, Internal medicine, ituitary Diseases Clinic, MRI, Pacific Northwest, PCOS, Pituitary gland, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Stretch marks, striae, success, surgery, Swedish Hospital, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, thyroid, tumor, update, weight
Original Bio:
My story spands over 20 years and may sound familiar to many with Cushings who read this. The first clue came when I was diagnosed at 19 yrs old with a thyroid tumor. The tumor turned out to be both solid and cystic… Cushings is a cystic disease.
Shortly after my thyroid surgery, I developed difficulties with having regular menstrual cycle. I was diagnosed with PCOS… Cushings is a cystic disease.
In the following years, I went up and down with my weight until I finally was 80lbs over and unable to lose any; I slowly lost my hair; I developed stretch marks in my abdomen and chest area; and I developed hypertension, diabetes, and bad cholesterol problems at a young age. I went to my doctor for help and was told I just needed to lose weight.
My symptoms kept getting worse with time.
In July of 2003 changed jobs and was hired by Dr Johnny Delashaw, Neurosurgeon @OHSU. This was a day of blessings in more way than one. Accepting this position brought changes to my professional career and BIG changes to my life.
As part of my job, Dr Delashaw asked me to work with the Pituitary Diseases Clinic and Dr Bill Ludlam. I was more than happy and very enthusiastic as my professional background is in Internal Medicine.
In the beginning, I was interviewing patients to get them ready for surgery and I would also see them for their 2 week post-ops. Soon after that, I got involved in conducting endocrine testing with Dr Ludlam. This was my information gathering stage.
Not long after that, I came to the realization that I may have Cushings and the thought scared me. It took me a month or so to gather enough courage to talk to Dr Ludlam and discuss my fears. (If anyone out there knows Dr L, you know how funny my last statement is since he is the most kind and caring of doctors). He LISTENED to me and did not make me feel like a fraud. I felt legitimate.
We ran the tests and did the MRI and – BOOM – I had a very large pituitary tumor and high cortisol levels. I was surprised but then not surprised.
I have undergone 2 pituitary surgeries with the second one resulting in a complete hypophysectomy. Despite no pituitary, I continued to have symptoms along with high levels of ACTH and cortisol and eventually had a BLA in Sept 2004.
I struggled through withdrawals after my BLA but like a trooper, I returned to work within a month. Thank God I worked for Dr Delashaw who was very understanding. I was doing well for a few months but then in March 2005 I started to have symptoms again. Recent tests show ectopic cortisol production so now I’m waiting to go through the work-up to find the ectopic tissue.
I believe, as well as my doctors, that I’ve had Cushings for at least 20 years if not more. This disease has caused me to develop other conditions that increase my mortality and morbidity. Ironically, as I was going through Physician Assistant school… I jokingly (halfway) thought I had Cushings Disease as we studied it in class. I should have pursued it more but people with Cushings understand how this disease plays with one’s mind.
I am not sure when or if I will get over this disease, but I can tell you….
I am grateful… I am blessed… but most of all, I am hopeful…
Update December 12, 2013:
It’s been 10 years now since I had my “cure” for Cushings. I am one of those rare people who have had both a complete hypophysectomy and bilateral adrenalectomy. I have had my ups and downs over the years but can honestly say I am in a good place now both physically and mentally.
I just wanted people to know that I am back in the Pacific Northwest working at Swedish Neuroscience Institute with Dr. Johnny Delshaw again – the team is back! Please don’t hesitate to ask me questions. As a healthcare provider and patient, I can be honest with what to expect and I will do what I can to help you through it.
Many thanks to my family and friends who have put up with me and helped me while I rediscovered myself after Cushings. God Bless to all!
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November 11, 2013
MaryO
Interview, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Success Stories, Treatments
emotional symptoms, pituitary, remission, success, surgery
I suffered for eight long years with Cushings disease . I had surgery on August 1 , 2012 , I look like a different person , and act like a different person. I would love to share my journy . One that was an emotional roller coaster .
It was a long hellish journey .However I would not trade it for anything else in the world.
Although I suffered immensly, Cushings has made me who I am today. I have become strong from this disease. Although I suffered many symptoms, the emotional ones were by far the worst.
I would love to be interveiwed because I vowed when I was ill to help people when I got better.
I want to give people hope . So please choose me to be interveiwed .
MaryONote: Miriam will be interviewed on BlogTalkRadio podcasts December 4, 2013.
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