Cushing's Disease

Today's post is more just informational than personal... though this is very personal to me. Take a look at the photos and you can see the effects of cushing's disease... there are almost no full body photos of me left in existence from the really bad years. (If you do find one its because I didn't know about it to destroy it.)

Cushings syndrome defined by the may clinic:

Cushing syndrome occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time. The most common cause of Cushing 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 syndrome — a fatty hump between your shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on your skin. Cushing syndrome can also result in high blood pressure, bone loss and, on occasion, diabetes.

Treatments for Cushing 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

Women with Cushing syndrome may experience:

• Thicker or more visible body and facial hair (hirsutism)
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods

Other signs and symptoms include:

• 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

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Only thing I was spared from was the facial hair and the acne.... thank goodness, but everything else I had/have to deal with. (some symptoms still persist) I feel like I've come a long way but I still have a long way to go to be HEALTHY.

The symptoms are easily managed without seeing the bigger picture or cause of it all...If you know anyone with all or just some of these symptoms, don't let them suffer and continue a fight they can't win.

Thank you for reading :)