And It's About Time There Was Some Support For Cushing's!
Hi, Tracey from way down at the bottom of your atlas, talking to all you wonderful people!
I haven't been diagnosed by a endo yet, but my Diabetes Specialist said that all the tests that they have done on me, are all pointing to it.
I have had numerous blood tests, 24 hour urine tests plus all the symptoms that you could through at me!
I'm just waiting now, for the Endo in a city, called Dunedin, to get the results from here in Timaru, where I live, so as he can then decide on what course of action he will take in my case.
It's only been about three months since my G.P. discovered abnormalities in blood tests that she sent me for, for "out of control" diabetes. Jenny took me into her office and told me that she thought I might have Cushing's disease and that she wanted to refer me to a specialist at our local hospital for more advanced tests. Well! I can tell you I was gobsmacked and just a tiny bit scared! What the hell is Cushing's disease I was asking myself? Here I was, feeling absolutely terrible, expecting to be put on insulin for my diabetes because my tablets weren't working anymore, and Jenny was talking about some disease I'd never heard of before!
I've been to numerous "SPECIALISTS" over the last 13 years, and not one of them picked up on all the symptoms that I've got: high blood pressure, diabetes, buffalo hump, moon face, depression-which I tried to cover up, terrible night sweats as well as during the day time really embarrassing when out in public, stretch marks, increased weight around my stomach and on my face, alot of facial hair growth-I'm fair skinned and that's bad enough, I can only sympathize with people who have dark complexions. I am always tired but have trouble sleeping at nights, I go to the toilet at least 3-4 times a night, always thirsty, I have at least 3-4 headaches a week sometimes more, I have terrible mood swings, which is probably the worst thing for me as I hate the way that effects my partner, Barry, and my kids. They try to understand, but I know its very hard for them. I also haven't had a period for 2 years and before that it was very irregular. So you can see, that I was probably better to have told you what symptoms I don't have!
At least now I know I'm not crazy, or a hypochondriac, and that there are people just like me out there in this big beautiful pushie cushie world, who I can relate to! Thanks for putting up with my ramblings, this has been sooo cleansing.
Well this is just an update on my bio. Had pituitary surgery on the 7th October, 2002. As far as we know, it was a success. A 8mm tumor was removed by transsphenoidal surgery, I have to admit, it wasn't that pleasant but at the same time, it wasn't that bad either. I met a lot of nice people and also met some people worse off than me.
I am going to have ACTH blood tests taken in November. So far my diabetes has come under control, with my bsl reading in the normal zone. My blood pressure readings have come down to where they should be and I've lost around 18lbs. My red complexion is fadeing, my speech has improved and so has my eyesight. Apart from having no appetite and no taste or smell, plus the constant headaches I'm doing ok. I'm improving every day and I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Will update again when I get the results of the tests.
