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Looking back, I am quite frustrated with "the system" and how uninformed the doctors were. Because I was pregnant, my doctors were not concerned about the purple stria, high blood pressure, acne and moon face. At my sixth month, a searing pain in my hip caused me to stop work. The diagnosis was the fetus was pressing the sciatic nerve. Following early delivery, symptoms continued adding upper body obesity, thin arms and legs and memory loss. I changed insurance and also PCP. New lab work showed high cholesterol and blood pressure and medication was prescribed. Occasionally I would miss my monthly menses and off to the drug store to buy a pregnancy test!
Two years later I chose to go back to work at the office of my original PCP. The advise I got was to exercise and watch my diet. I experienced a sharp pain and couldn't walk. The x-ray showed a pelvic fracture and a PREVIOUS healing fracture. How could I have fractures and not know it at age 31?
My husband and I wanted another child but were concerned about the medications I was taking. My mother, a public health nurse who was studying to be a PHN, found an entry about Cushing's. When I asked the doctor about it, he said absolutely NOT but referred me to an endocrinologist. Within one month, I was diagnosed and had an adrenalectomy.
Six years have now passed. I'm being treated for osteopenia. I continue to be fatigued and seem to have insomnia. My ability to think clearly and express my thoughts is difficult. I would appreciate hearing from others of ways to deal with this part of the recovery.
I am thankful for my supportive husband and family and friends. Without them, I may have never thought to question my doctors or "the system". We must be better consumers and be willing to insist that doctors look further to heal us, not just treat one symptom at a time. |
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