Cushing's Info

Hello, my name is Tundra J and here is my journey.

I am a spiritual person that has been seeking answers to my many health conditions. Being diagnosed with this disease came with mixed emotions but it explained a lot. I have been to traditional and holistic doctors in search of an explanation. My body weight went to unexplainable 180lbs. I gained 20lbs in less than three months in 2004.  Every year since 2004 I have been diagnosed with a different aliment.

2004-July-I was diagnosed with High blood Pressure

2005-August- I had a baby girl that was delivered early due to HBP

2007-March- I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and diabetes but I did not have gestational diabetes while pregnant.

2008-March-Admitted to the emergency room for Kidney stones

2009-September- Pregnant and loss baby at 6 months… normal check-up and baby was not breathing.

2010 I DEMANDED ANSWERS and I felt no one was listening to me. Everything was OUT OF CONTROL. (Blood sugar, blood pressure & cholesterol). Before the month of March, I had every test under the moon conducted on my body…. (CT, heart ultrasound, sleep study, urine test, kidney analysis, etc… )  From the testing, the doctors discovered I have sleep apnea.

2011-March- Thyroid issues… Finally my endo, who hadn’t seen me in months but I was visiting the PA for appointments told me I suspect you may have Cushing. This conversation was sparked by me because while I was waiting, I was reading an article on Cushing and the symptoms. I displayed ALL the symptoms. (Mid-section weight, acne, moon face, buffalo hump, HBP, diabetes, cholesterol, fatigue, etc.) My Endo informed me that Cushing was a very hard disease to diagnose but she suspects this is my issue. In May of 2011, we started various test. (Urine, MRI and CT scan).  I had two 24 hour urine test and the numbers were triple the range.  Next, I completed my Dexamethasone suppression test.  Based on all my test results, my Endo was convinced that Cushing disease was my issue.  Unfortunately, the MRI did not show an obvious pituitary tumor. During my testing, I found out on July 6th that I was four months pregnant.    I didn’t realize I was pregnant because I related the normal pregnancy signs to possibly having Cushing disease (missed cycle/abdominal weight/Thyroid issues). The doctors weren’t very optimistic since I was taking a blood pressure medicine that you shouldn’t conceive on.  This medicine could potentially cause kidney problems for the baby and other formalities.  I was told the worse things about my pregnancy even the option to abort, but we decided to keep the faith and move forward with the pregnancy. Due to my pregnancy, I had to stop the next test (IPSS) to locate the tumor until after I delivered.  I had a long pregnancy that involved weekly doctor visits and bed rest.  I am happy to say I delivered a healthy baby boy on December 1, 2011.

2012-January- IPSS testing was conducted to locate the tumor.  This was a scary procedure but everything went smoothly.  After the testing, it was confirmed that I have a tumor on my pituitary gland.

2012-February 9th- Arrived at the University of Virginia hospital at 6:30 AM for pituitary surgery.  During surgery, I had a CSF leak and had to remain on my back for 2 days.  I also developed diabetes insipidus. On February 29th, two weeks after returning home, I was rushed to the hospital for sepsis infection.  This was very scary.

As of today, I have reduced my blood pressure medicine from five to two pills a day.  I have lost 15 pounds and decrease my insulin dosage.  I have been told by many that it will take 6 months to a year before I will start feeling normal.   I am keeping the faith and praying for a healthy body.

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