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I WAS GETTING MARRIED IN 6 MONTHS AND HAD LOTS OF WEDDING STRESS! My daily intake was around 800 calories and even though I exercised every day, I was gaining weight. I'm 25 years old and doctors blamed my bloated face and stomach on stress.
I visited my OBGYN for irregular periods; he changed my birth control pills and said to keep exercising. After a few months, I returned to my primary care with a list of complaints including hurting bones, sweating, huge appetite (especially sweets), weight gain, rash on back, hair growth all over my body except my head, purple stretch marks, stopped period, no sex drive, waking up very early and mood swings (all the usual symptoms).
The blood test showed elevated cortisol, the CT scan revealed an adrenal tumor, and now, within one year of my marriage, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and Cushing's. I felt like I was abducted by aliens and they left this fat, bloated, sugar-eating mutant behind! My husband was so supportive, he dealt with my mood swings, one minute I was fine and the next I was angry or crying. I cried a lot before I was diagnosed, now I finally knew why!
My adrenal gland was removed in June of 1999. I was 160#. The laproscopic surgery was a piece of cake, four small incisions on my stomach. I was sent home on 80 mg of hydrocortisone. No one told me how difficult it would be to lower my dosage and my doctor's associate lowered it from 80mg to 40 mg and wrote the prescription for the wrong medication. At this point I was in touch with the Foundation and had heard other stories of tapering too quickly. My doctor finally called me back, changed the medication back and increased the dosage.
It was very hard for me to taper the hydrocortisone. I knew it was necessary but every time I lowered it, I was in pain for a few days. I was completely off the replacement medication at the end of September, only 3 months later. There were times I didn't believe I would ever lose the weight.
For all of those people still suffering or just starting to go through it, believe me, it will end, just be patient. Contact this Foundation and the people who write in. No one really understands what is going on except the people who have been through it. I was very lucky, my good friend's Mom had Cushing's years before me. We talked a lot and it made me feel better that someone really knew what I was feeling. We are still "Cushie" friends.
A special thanks to my husband, Dan, for always making me feel loved no matter how I looked, and to my Mom and entire family, including my in-laws for their unbelievable love and support. Thanks to my sisters for dropping everything and running over to my house when I thought I was going crazy!
I am currently 125#, I work out daily and sleep late on weekends! I have my self-esteem back and normal energy levels. My hair grows only on my head, I think clearly, and I don't have panic attacks. I feel GREAT! Good luck to all and hang in there!!! |
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