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Buffalo Hump - Cushing Syndrome

Posted , 5 users are following.

christine531
christine531

For a couple of years I have had this knot, tightness, below my neck between my shoulder blades.  It has grown into a hump.   The past couple of months I have been in pain and experiencing numbness in my hands and feet.  Lately I have limited movement in my neck.  The Doctor has concerns and based upon my medical history, illnesses, and medications taken it is looking like I have Cushing Syndrome.   I am schedule for a MRI.  I have all the symptoms of this disease.   I did some research on Cushing Syndrome and found that it could be caused by my Pitutary Gland.

​Here's the kicker,  about 17 years ago my family doctor scheduled a MRI of my head/neck. I can't remember why,  well anywho, the doctor's office left several messages that it was urgent that I , contact the Doctor about the test results of the MRI.   I never did

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • farzana71816
    farzana71816 christine531

    Posted

    Hi there! Just wondering why your doc had suggested a ct of head and neck. I think i need one too but hasnt been suggested by my doc. Also why on earth would u not return an urgent call! I wouldve called back asap lol. Hope all turns out ok. I also have neck discomfort
    • christine531
      christine531 farzana71816

      Posted

      I have numbness in my hands and the where the hump is its very painful.  I was young and scared
    • christine531
      christine531 farzana71816

      Posted

      Hi Franzana71816.   I just want to thank you for taking the time to read about my health issue and responding.  On December 3rd, I got the test results of my MRI and blood work.  I DO NOT HAVE CUSHING SYNDROME.   The MRI shows a bulging disc in the neck.   This is causing the nerve root compression causing numbness in hands, arms, and shoulders.  In addition spinal cord is compressed causing my legs to feel week and causing me to have walking difficulties.   I am very thankful that I am not diagnose with Cushing.  Most likely I will have surgery if my lungs are stable.   Thank you again
    • farzana71816
      farzana71816 christine531

      Posted

      Thanks for the update christine and all the very best to you :-) 

      Late reply just got back from Mexico !!

  • deb3313
    deb3313 christine531

    Posted

    Please, whatever you do after you have the MRI...go back for the results. MRI's are very expensive. No point going thru having one if your not going to get the results.

     

    • christine531
      christine531 deb3313

      Posted

      Hi Deb3313.   I just want to thank you for taking the time to read about my health issue and responding.  On December 3rd, I got the test results of my MRI and blood work.  I DO NOT HAVE CUSHING SYNDROME.   The MRI shows a bulging disc in the neck.   This is causing the nerve root compression causing numbness in hands, arms, and shoulders.  In addition spinal cord is compressed causing my legs to feel week and causing me to have walking difficulties.   I am very thankful that I am not diagnose with Cushing.  Most likely I will have surgery if my lungs are stable.   Thank you again
    • deb3313
      deb3313 christine531

      Posted

      Excellent smile. Not excellent that you have a bulging disc, but excellent you dont have Cushing's !. Laminectomies are relatively simple these days, so hopefully they can do the surgery soon and you can get back to normal. Thanks for taking the time to let us know. smile
    • vicky61456
      vicky61456 deb3313

      Posted

      Hi Deb,

      Someone has suggested that long term use of antibiotics may cause Cushings.  I am trying to see if their is a connection.  I personally was on antibiotics for several years as was the lady I am buddy to.  Any thoughts?

    • deb3313
      deb3313 vicky61456

      Posted

      Hi Vicky, Yeah I'm pretty sure i saw that post and i responded there. I did have micoplasma pneumonia years back and i was on antibiotics for quite some time. I know several people have had long term antibiotics for acne and they dont have cushings. So I'm not sure if its just a coincidence that some of us have been diagnosed Cushing and we have had long term antibiotics. I cant see any properties in antibiotics that could lead to increasing cortisol levels. But we all know Cushings can have an effect on our immune system so you would most likely find antibiotics were required due to cushings ( even if you werent diagnosed for a long time after. I get the feeling I actually had high cortisol levels for 33 years before i was diagnosed. When i look back over the years, there are lots of stand out points that if my Doctor had been on the ball I would probably have found out i had cushings many years ago). But then again, I'm sure33 years ago, cushings would have been more rare than it is now !!! I could be wrong though smile
  • gill43753
    gill43753 christine531

    Posted

    Hi Christine,you say based on your medical history,illnesses etc. Do you mean you've been on steroids for a number of years?

    Sometimes medications can cause Cushing's. Have you had an adrenal scan at all? Cushing's is overactive adrenals,either caused by a usually benign tumour on the adrenals.This is known as Cushing's syndrome.It can also be caused by a usually benign tumour elsewhere in the body,which is known as ectopic Cushing's syndrome. If there is a usually benign tumour on the pituitary gland,it causes the pituitary to tell the adrenals to overwork.This is known as Cushing's disease,which is what I had. My adrenals were checked first,then finally the pituitary tumour was found. You say you have the symptoms if Cushing's,does that include obvious purple/red stretch marks down your tummy? Keep in touch. Hopefully Vicky will also join your discussion. Gill

    • christine531
      christine531 gill43753

      Posted

      Hi Gill43753.   I just want to thank you for taking the time to read about my health issue and responding.  On December 3rd, I got the test results of my MRI and blood work.  I DO NOT HAVE CUSHING SYNDROME.   The MRI shows a bulging disc in the neck.   This is causing the nerve root compression causing numbness in hands, arms, and shoulders.  In addition spinal cord is compressed causing my legs to feel week and causing me to have walking difficulties.   I am very thankful that I am not diagnose with Cushing.  Most likely I will have surgery if my lungs are stable.   Thank you again
  • vicky61456
    vicky61456 christine531

    Posted

    I see that your GP has booked you in for an MRI which is a start although the tumour on the Pit Gland may not show up so further tests will be needed.  You are fortunate to have a GP who has actually heard of Cushings!  Don't worry about the past, you are now on your way.  There are a lot of tests involved, urine and blood but I am sure you are brave.  Your GP may suggest you see an endocrinologist who is an "expert" in this field.  Statistically if you need to know anything re Cortisol levels etc. Debs is the one.  Hope she can help later.  Good luck and please let us know how you get on.
    • christine531
      christine531 vicky61456

      Posted

      Hi Vicky61456.   I just want to thank you for taking the time to read about my health issue and responding.  On December 3rd, I got the test results of my MRI and blood work.  I DO NOT HAVE CUSHING SYNDROME.   The MRI shows a bulging disc in the neck.   This is causing the nerve root compression causing numbness in hands, arms, and shoulders.  In addition spinal cord is compressed causing my legs to feel week and causing me to have walking difficulties.   I am very thankful that I am not diagnose with Cushing.  Most likely I will have surgery if my lungs are stable.   Thank you again
  • vicky61456
    vicky61456 christine531

    Posted

    Hi Christine,  Thank you for letting us know.  I feel so glad that you do not have Cushings which is a very nasty disease but having a degenative back disease myself I feel for you so much.  I do hope that things will be okay and you lungs will be able to tolerate an op.  A bad back is quite enought to contend with.  Thank you for telling us your story.  It all helps us to understand Cushings etc.  Do take care and if you want to be in contact re anything just let us know.  Good luck!
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