[cathycnm]

#1075644

Diane – Cushings Syndrome is the result of a high level of cortisol. Cortisol is another endocrine hormone – it comes from the adrenal cortex that is located in the kidney and, at normal levels, they help us deal with stress and reduce inflammatory response. Some people have Cushings disease – that is too much Cortizol stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland – very similar to TSH that also comes from the pituitary gland and thyroid hormone over production. Cushings syndrome – the excess stimulation of cortisol comes from someplace other than the pituitary but causes virtually the same symptoms. Usually, symptoms include things like weight gain, fluid retention, sugar diabetes. So, I am assuming you are on some sort of steroid medication to reduce the inflammation in your eyes – and that the cushings syndrome symptoms are from that.

I had mild issues with my eyes but also have severe osteoporosis – and cortizol can also worsen osteoporosis. So I am keeping my fingers crossed (and seeing an opthamologist and an endo) so I never have to choose between eyes and bones.

I believe the Cushings symptoms will resolve once you go off the med – but please talk to your doctor about this!!! There are risks and benefits to every med and eye sight is such a gift. My best to you!

[npatterson]

#1075645

Good response from cathycnm! You might also find some good information on the Pituitary Network. They give excellent, accurate information. Somehow they are no longer in my favorites, but they are an approved site.

[npatterson]

#1075646

Cathy,

Thanks for a good, sound answer. I am guessing that you are a certified nurse midwife? My certification is in Psych. I’ve been an ARNP in Florida for 30 years! I just did the math! Now I feel old! I have been doing Hospice nursing for the past 2 1/2-3 years. It is a nice shift, without totally leaving the world of psych.

Nancy

[grneyeladydi]

#1020012

I was wondering if anyone else is suffering from Cushings Syndrome. My Endo doctor figured mine came about due to all the medications I’ve been taking the last 3 years for my Graves and my TED. I was told that I can’t do anything about it until I discontinue some of the meds. Has anyone heard of this or know someone that has it and how they are dealing with it. Thank you for the information ahead of time.

Diane

[grneyeladydi]

#1075647

Cathy and Nancy,

Thank you so much for all the information. You are correct Cathy, I’ve been taking Prednisone for over 3 years with doses as low as 5 mg to 120 mg. I am currently at 20 mg. The reason I question so many things is I haven’t found a "good" Endo doctor in my area. My first one dismissed me after my thyroidectomy and my second one just told me the other day that my syptoms are all in my head and I should take more medicine for depression. Ahhhh, I went through this whole process of is it real or not real when I was diagnosed with Intercystial Cystist back in the 80’s. It makes one more depressed when the doctors don’t believe you. I will be seeing my Internist on Monday and will ask her to go over everything with me and see what test we can do to figure out exactly what is going on. I was going to ask Cathy the same question as Nancy. Are you a nurse? At the time of my being diagnosed I was just beginning my new career in the medical profession. I was previously in banking for 20 years. I was working in a behavioral center and was to start college in a few months to get my RN and continue to work in Psych. I’m sure I will have many more questions for everyone. In the mean time to those that are new, hang in there, you have found the best place to get support. Thank you again.

Diane

[mamabear]

#1075648

I have nothing medical to add….just sending prayers and hoping you get the answers you need and find a dr. who actually cares.

[cathycnm]

#1075649

Nancy and Diane – Yes, I am a certified nurse midwife, and have done a fair amount of gynecology during my years (yes, they add up too). Of course – thyroid is an issue for many pregnant women. I will never forget a women in full crisis coming in for a new OB when I was at UTMB in Galveston – as she talked, I just though "wow she has a ton of pregnancy symptoms". Then I felt her thyroid and took her blood pressure – got her out of there to our resident’s clinics in under 15 minutes!

That said, I am currently back in school working on a post master’s certificate in psyc – so, Nancy, looks like we have that interest in common. I am plugging through pathophysiology right now with my undergrad patho being almost 30 years ago. It truly amazes me all we have learned in that time – esp about immunity.

Diane – I do some life coaching and did my training though a psychologist – Martin Seligman – who developed what is called positive psychology. Sounds trite, but he is known world wide and his work is backed with tons of very good evidence. For anyone dealing with depression – there are many simple exercises you can do to be happier. One of the most effective is to simply count blessings (or good things, if you prefer) at night – three of them. Write them down just before bed. This one works as well as some antidepressants. There are many others – and they are being developed as we speak. I am not saying you should go off antidepressants – I commend that you are working with your internist on this! I am just saying if we can do simple things that make us happier, why not. There is some growing research that this does make a difference in health and immunity and positive aging. There is lots we can’t control with any illness – but we do control the small things – and they do make a difference. I can post some book references if you are interested, too. (I fought depression with Graves and, again, with my rapid crash to hypothyroid in 5 weeks. I can’t imagine it if I had not been on antidepressants. The exercises helped more with putting joy back in my life – which goes above and beyond what most pills do). Cathy (yes cnm)

[grneyeladydi]

#1075650

Here it is Monday night and I am still alive. Yippeeee Yes I did indeed go see my doctor today and she’s just a saint. She sat patiently with me while I whinned about all the problems I continue to have. I did learn that my Cushings Syndrome will "maybe" come to an end with the end of my steroids. My thyroid has not left me as I had hoped but I learned today that I need to be extra patience and this too shall pass. I need to continue to take my 200 mg of Toporol. I was wishing that I could decrease that but my BPM is still high. On a yucky note, I also found out that my Interstitial Cystist is no longer in remission and must deal with that as well. I said just give me some good drugs that will make me laugh and smile. Of course she just shook her head at me. At least I got an answer to some of my questions and will carry on as I have in the past. Thank you again for the knowledge on Cushings. Talking about it to people that understand that it’s not a mental problem helps in more ways then one.

[Buttamama28]

#1075651

What are some of the physical appearances of cushing’s? Don’t think I have it but I am curious?

[grneyeladydi]

#1075652

Just what does cushings look like. Hmmmmm Imagine yourself almost 50 looking like your are about to give birth to triplets and you look like the hunch back of Notre Dame. That’s about sums it up. I’m with child and enjoy ringing church bells. I know it’s not a funny subject but life is too short to worry about what I look like. Hey, it took me almost 5 years to figure that out. I hope for your sake that you DON’T have cushings. By the way, if anyone else is reading this post I had a doctor tell me during my pre-op testing that he thinks it’s not cushing but something I think is called Atkins or Atchisons. I haven’t look it up yet cause I can’t see well after the surgery. Okay, enough said. Have a happy and blessed day everyone.

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