My name is Don. I am 35and I am a career firefighter with 14 years on the job.
10 years ago I was injured badly at a fire and almost immediately noticed a change. My skin began peeling off and I began gaining weight.
I knew about cortisol and its effect on the body because my mother passed away from Cushings at 46 after years of taking steroids for respiratory problems. My doctors dismissed my issues as stress following the trauma. My accident happened in March and by July, I had gained 80lbs. I was constantly fatigued and developed acne all over my body.
A year or so later, I began having stomach issues. Nausea and Reflux were with me everyday. I continued to have high serum cortisol throughout the past 10 years but each time, it suppressed to just below the 1.8 threshold with dexamethasone so my doctors just dismissed it as stress.
In 2012, the dizziness and blurry vision began. My spine is weak and my joints hurt constantly. My legs are so skinny and weak, they shake when I stand and my heart races from any exertion. I managed to continue working until a year ago when I accepted that I was putting myself and others at risk.
For the past year I have been paying guys to work for me in order to keep my job and insurance. I worked hard for this career and promotions and I will not give it up without a diagnosis and confirmation that I can no longer do the job.
I have a new Endo now and she ordered a Urinary Cortisol. It came back 4X higher than the upper limit. She is convinced I have Cushings and it isnt just stress. I have the following symptoms. Weight gain of over 100lbs, Long purple stretch marks on my flank, side, and groin, Blurry vision, tachycardia, weak limbs, tremors, anxiety, puffy face, dizziness, stomach issues.
I am hoping after 10years of suffering, I may finally have my answer and that I can begin getting my life back. I have a wife and 3 year old that really count on me and all I have been doing is letting them down. Our lives are on hold because we do not know what the future will bring.
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