Hi, I thought I would post more than I have since I came back to Blogger...maybe this time around will be better.
That diet I was talking about went on for a couple weeks to no avail (as usual).
I have given up dieting since I went to the doctor back in April. I asked him about this strange hump on the back of my neck that I had never noticed before. Brian says I have had it since he's known me, but I'm not sure. The doctor immediately said it looked like a symptom of Cushing's disease (or Cushing's syndrome, I'm not sure on the difference between the two). This is caused by an excess amount of cortisol being produced by the body, which in turn causes all kinds of symptoms including inexplicable weight gain, buffalo hump, acne, mood disorders and all kinds of other things. Mr. doctor man did a blood draw, which came back negative. Then, he prescribed a 24hr UFC which is a 24 hour urine collection test and this came back with elevated levels of cortisol which prompted him to refer me to an endocrinologist in Toledo. I have been on pins and needles waiting for this appointment, a three month wait period, a little less than two months to go :(
The excess corstisol is typically caused by a small tumor on the pituitary gland. It releases too much of the hormone ACTH which then tells the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. It can also be caused by a tumor on one or both of the adrenal glands. The treatment is surgery, very dangerous from what I have read and there are only a few neurosurgeons who specialize in the surgery so travel is usually necessary.
I really wish there was a simple test that could confirm Cushing's but unfortunately this disease is one of the most difficult ones to diagnose in the practice of endocrinology (It has been mentioned on House once or twice!). I have read horror stories of people knowing they have the disease but Cushing's can be cyclical so your cortisol isn't always elevated and it can be difficult to get consistent diagnostic test results. There are women on the Cushing's Help website who have been fighting with doctors for years to get diagnosed. The doctors will not let you go for an MRI or CT scan looking for the tumor unless you have multiple diagnostic pathology tests done first. I think this is smart because statistically 1 in 5 people have pituitary tumors and most are completely benign and cause no problems, so surgery is unnecessary. I am so afraid of a difficult diagnosis..I feel like giving up before even beginning this fight. I have so many of the symptoms, but I still feel as if my endocrinologist is going to turn me away. Cushing's is very rare and most doctors have never even seen it before. I am told that I am very lucky to have had a positive test result so early in my diagnosis journey, so maybe my trek won't be as difficult as the ones I have read about.
My endocrinologist is apparently one of the best in his field, so here's hoping he knows about and has experience with Cushing's! Counting down to August 18th!
In other news, Brian and I are doing great. He is cooking/managing at Water St. Bar and Grill and I am still serving a good ol' Cracker Barrel. I am hating it there, but it is good money and I am so so close to being finished with Terra. Two classes left, wahoo! Anyway, Brian is so good to me and I like that he copes so well when I get out of control angry at him sometimes. This usually happens at night and I am pretty much positive that this is a Cushing's symptom because late night cortisol highs are fairly common and that is when I am feeling the craziest. Our 2 year anniversary is coming up and I am so excited! I think we are going to go out of town and stay in a hotel and go out to nice places :)
I am trying to save for a new car...I really want one of the new Ford Fiestas! I love the bright green hatchback and it will be mine one day! I don't care how much debt I put myself in for it!
love it love it love it
Oh and how about a picture or two of my hump.....in case you were wondering what I was talking about.
Just call me Quasi!
