And It's About Time There Was Some Support For Cushing's!
Judy from Pgh writes:
I thought this might help others in recovery…I am 5’9” and before surgery and before being diagnosed weighed 199. I went on Weight Watchers and lost 20 lbs with full blown Cushing's symptoms: full red moon face, facial hair, losing hair, high blood pressure, etc.
Surgery was April 19 2000 – minimally invasive endoscopic surgery (through the nose).. In the hospital only 2 ½ days with no bleeding or bruising or swelling and never took a pain pill.
One month (May) Weight 182 on 10mg Prednisone.. facial hair completely gone.. No major complaints and sleeping well…needed naps.
Two months (June) Weight 182 on 10mg Prednisone …still losing hair on head.
Three months (July) Weight 187 on 40mg Hydrocortisone (Cortef) Worked part time
August, 2000 5 months post-op: Four Months (August) Weight 191 on 35 mg Cortef ..Drove ll hours to Boston with family for vacation. Face looked VERY PUFFY from steroids.. Hair frizzy and still falling out [Photographer: Judy's family]
Five Months (Sept) Weight 192 on 30mg cortef… Flew to parents Weekend in Florida still very puffy ..Went back to work full time felt okay.
Six Months (October) Weight 194 on 27.5 cortef.. Adrenals started working cortisol count was 4. I quit my job due to episodes of dizziness I was in retail management and very stressful holiday time.
Seven Months (November) Weight 192 on 22.5 cortef.. BIG CHANGE IN APPEARANCE!! Puffiness almost gone…Everyone starting to notice change. No more hair loss….Started growing back.
August, 2000 5 months post-op: Four Months (August) Weight 191 on 35 mg Cortef ..Drove ll hours to Boston with family for vacation. Face looked VERY PUFFY from steroids.. Hair frizzy and still falling out [Photographer: Judy's family]
Nine Months (Jan) Weight 188 on 22.5 cortef.. Jan 9th started Weight Watchers.. Cortisol Stim test results were 4-13 need to be 4-22
Ten Months (Feb) Weight 184 on 22.5 feeling much better
Eleven Months (March) Weight 179 on 22.5 cortef.
Dec, 2000
8 months post-op
Went on vacation to Florida by myself. Big Step. Feeling better but still don’t feel old self. Now I feel I don’t look cushionoid at all. Finding it
easier to lose weight and want to lose 25 more lbs. Hair looks thick again but a little curlier. Endo feels I'm almost cured but will do a
cortisol stim test soon and get numbers Wants me to cut medicines
with comfort and time ..in no hurry [Photographer: Judy's family]
Hope this has helped some of you….it does get better…..Judy
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Judy from Pgh
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