Cushing's

Here's some more information on Cushing's Syndrome, what I'm being tested for over the next week or two from the Mayo Clinic's web page, edited down to make is easier to read:




Cushing's syndrome occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time. The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome, sometimes called hypercortisolism, is the use of oral corticosteroid medication. The condition can also occur when your body makes too much cortisol.

Too much cortisol can produce some of the hallmark signs of Cushing's syndrome — a fatty hump between your shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on your skin. Cushing's syndrome can also result in high blood pressure, bone loss and, on occasion, diabetes.

Treatments for Cushing's syndrome can return your body's cortisol production to normal and noticeably improve your symptoms. The earlier treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery.

Common signs and symptoms involve progressive obesity and skin changes, such as:

• Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, particularly around the midsection and upper back, in the face (moon face) and between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
• Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms
• Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily
• Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections
• Acne
• (for women) Irregular or absent menstrual periods   

Other signs:

• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Depression, anxiety and irritability
• Loss of emotional control
• Cognitive difficulties
• New or worsened high blood pressure
• Glucose intolerance that may lead to diabetes
• Headache
• Bone loss, leading to fractures over time

Luckily for me I don't have any of the more complicated symptoms as compared to some of the people on the Cushing's board (Vision loss, reoccurring fractures, high blood pressure or diabetes) My "hump" on my back isn't that bad, but it does seem to be there, it wasn't noticeable as much to me or Colin, but when I posted it on the Cushing's board they pointed out where it was, and then it became apparent. I guess I was expecting to see something similar to a camel's hump, but apparently it's not quite that bad :)