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My symptoms came at an early age, possibly at birth. As a child I was very nervous with tremors. I would perspire profusely and was bigger than other children until I was twelve. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1976 with a B.A. in History and English. In 1977, I graduated with a M.A. in Elementary Education. In 1982, I graduated as an R.N. In 1989, I received a Master Certification in Behavioral Disorders. It was difficult achieving all of this with an abnormality because I was not treated fairly.
Students would point out my shaking and in my third year of teaching, I received a pink slip. It killed me. The superintendent said there was nothing wrong with my teaching, but there was something wrong with me.
My father who was a physician and has since passed away, wanted me to work for him as an R.N. I still had the problem with stress and tremors. I was known as Rita, the doctor's daughter, that couldn't cope with stress.
I am 45 years old now. Real symptoms came around the age of 30. I started gaining weight, moon face and mustache. I had a little girl at age 31. Then the symptoms became worse with the buffalo hump -- I looked like Humpty Dumpty! I saw a psychiatrist and many other doctors, but no one understood. My father had senility at that time or he may have been able to help. He had diagnosed a Cushing's case in the past.
Finally my sister told me to have my GYN check my hormones. The testosterone was elevated and I was sent to an endocrinologist. He sent me to U. A. B. in Birmingham and on May 16, 1990, I had one third of my pituitary gland removed. I was 36. I lost the weight because the doctor put me on a 1,000 calorie/day diet. I went from 220 to 125. I was happy and the recovery was easy for me.
I started back to work too soon and had more problems with stress and dealing with job placements because of my limitations. After several more jobs as an R.N. that didn't work out, I accepted a position as a teacher making less than minimum wage. Then in 1998, I was diagnosed with Cushing's again. I was in denial and jogged every day and dieted. I ended up on disability. I'd like to start a local support group for Cushing's, Addison's and Pituitary Tumors in my area since we are not so populated. I'm trying to make a positive out of a negative. Jesus is the only way that I can endure all of this.
I did have the Gamma Knife on December 9th and they think it's working. I take Nizoral 800 mg daily, and Dex .25 mg daily. They say it will take two years this time. I've lost 20#, my face is going down, I can get in some old clothes! I have strong days and weak days. My fat pads are going down along with the buffalo hump and stomach. I do oil paintings, crafts, read, and play the piano. I'm trying to build up my relationship with my 13 yr. old daughter again. I stayed with my mother during a lot of my illness, because it was hard on my husband and daughter.
I want to have a normal family again and be able to ride a horse across the pasture! I use to show horses and was a champion archer and bowler as a teenager even though I had high anxiety. I had to fight and we all have to fight this. I'll be glad to help anyone with this problem. |
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