Could I have Cushing's?

Hi Erin

I allso think I could have Cushings and yes

Your symptoms seem fairly consistant with cushings

And your right, doctors will probably tell you your probably eating too many carbs or something like that.

The best thing to do is convince them you would like some

Initial blood tests to possibly rule out

Cushings as a cause of your puffiness

I went many years blaming myself for not

Exercising enough or kicking myself

If I did Chinese take away

I finally figured it out almost 20 years after that

If you can test your cortisol levels

If too high or too low , it will indicate

You might have Cushing's or a problem

With your pituitary gland

Good luck!

Erin:Do you have a buffalo hump? Is your face"moonie" shaped? How much weight have you gained in the last year? To get a diagnosis on Cushings you will need to show the changes to your body. My advice is to gather pictures of yourself before you began feeling sick and pictures of what you look like now...and put them side by side showing the

changes, which a picture is worth a thousand words. For testing that will quickly show a Cushings problem is a 24 hour urine test and you can ask to do the saliva cortisol testing. Showing your pictures and asking for help I hope goes well. We are all here to support you in finding a diagnosis. If you have more questions just ask.

Hi Erin,  Sorry you are feeling so lousy.  Some of your symptoms do sound like Cushings but as you say could also be PCOS.  Excessive hair is a sign of both but as you do not have that you are okay.  The weight gain round the abdomen is very similar to what most of us Cushies had.  As Cyclic said take photos, I did and my Endo now uses them to teach medical students to spot the signs.  You know your own body, make a list of all you need to say when you go to the GP.  Most GPs have never seen a case of Cushings so may well be reluctant to test but you must insist.  Please make an appointment asap and let us know how you get on.  Where are you in the UK or USA.  Test are different in the USA but Cyclic and others can help you there.  Keep in touch, we are here for you.  Remember write everything down and if you can take photos as well.  If you can take someone with you to note down the answers as you may be too anxious to really take in what the GP is saying.  Good Luck.

Considering you havent had your period in over a couple of months , I would say

That is a definite sign you could have Cushings

Good suggestions from other women

Blood cortisol, Acth, prolactin, GH, tests

Are all important in determining if

You have a pituitary tumour

I am in the USA and I have gained a little over 30 pounds since last April.  I have an appointment with a gyno on Monday, so I'll see what she says.  My cheeks look a lot larger than they used to be and I think I have a small buffalo hump, but I'm not sure if it's just bad posture.  Also, I have been spotting every week for a month, which is extremely abnormal for me (I've never spotted before in my life).  Hopefully the gyno can help me figure out what's going on. I'll ask her to test my cortisol while I'm there. 

I am in the USA and I have gained a little over 30 pounds since last April.  I have an appointment with a gyno on Monday, so I'll see what she says.  My cheeks look a lot larger than they used to be and I think I have a small buffalo hump, but I'm not sure if it's just bad posture.  Also, I have been spotting every week for a month, which is extremely abnormal for me (I've never spotted before in my life).  Hopefully the gyno can help me figure out what's going on. I'll ask her to test my cortisol while I'm there. 

Okay

In the mean time

You can look for conditions

Associated with amenorrhea

And oligoamenorrhea

My experience is doctors usually

Tell their patients they might have

A more common condition

Before even considering cushings

So blood tests

are important for diagnosis

You might want to see an

Endocrinologist too