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My name is Kathy and I'm 50 years old, married with 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters. About three years ago, I started having problems of high blood pressure, swollen feet and ankles, bruises, weight gain in face and mid-section, sleeplessness, hair loss, fractures and memory loss.
My primary doctor tested for Cushing's with the blood test, but it came back negative. I was sent to an Orthopedic for fractures and was diagnosed with osteoporosis, but he did not believe that was the reason for my fractures. One day I was hospitalized because I couldn't move my right leg. I had a fractured pelvis and my doctor hospitalized me for therapy. In the meantime, laying in the hospital bed caused the fluid that was around my feet to go to my lungs and heart. I developed pneumonia and bronchitis. I couldn't breathe and was rushed to intensive care and spent four days there.
My primary and orthopedic doctors finally sent me to an endocrinologist where I was diagnosed with Cushing's. My left adrenal gland was removed. When I left the hospital, my doctor put me on prednisone for 10 days and gradually tapered me off. Then she gave me 10 mg of cortef for energy. She said it's better if I could do without the cortef to stimulate the adrenal gland to work on its own. I didn't feel any better when I took the cortef, so I quit taking it. I had no appetite, nausea, and couldn't get out of bed. After 2 weeks, I saw my primary doctor and my surgeon on the same day. They both agreed I should be on replacement steroids and gave me 20 mg in the morning and 10 mg in the afternoon.
I feel much stronger. I have good days and bad but I'm satisfied with my recovery at this point. I would like to hear from others who have Cushing's Syndrome as to how their recovery is doing. I have had a lot of support from my family and friends, but no one understands it unless you've been through it! I look forward to any response I can get back.
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