Cushing's Info

Barbara Craven, Ph.D., RD, LD is a licensed dietitian in Washington, DC.  She currently has a practice treating patients with HIV/AIDS and teaching general nutrition.  For many years she has had an interest in holistic nutrition and often uses natural therapies in her practice.

She received her Ph.D. in Food Science from Texas A&M University in 1980 and her RD in 1981.  The first years of her practice, she taught at the University level, then went into private practice counseling weight loss and athletic nutrition.  Several years ago she became interested in HIV nutrition and now dedicates her skills to helping the under served manage this devastating disease through diet and natural therapies. She is currently helping write an Evidenced Based Guide for Medical Nutrition Therapy in HIV/AIDS, is writing a cookbook for HIV/AIDS nutrition, is on the Ryon White Working Committee in Senator Ted Kennedy's Office, is Chair of the DC Area Nutrition Alliance and has been invited to speak on the latest developments in HIV nutrition at the National Ryon White Review Meeting this year in Washington, DC.

Barbara's link to us is that she has had Cushing's.  Like many, hers was intermittent and symptoms accumulated over many years before she was diagnosed.  In November of 2003 she underwent transphenoidal surgery and her entire pituitary was removed.  Many of the symptoms you have experienced or are experiencing, she has also.  Many of us met Barbara at the UVA Pituitary Days Conference in April, 2004.

Barbara will answer our questions about natural therapies and diet that helps alleviate symptoms and manage weight in Cushing's disease.

Read Dr. Barbara Craven's Guest Chat, October 27, 2004.