Cushing's Info

Hello!

First let me say that I am very grateful for this site, all who post and all who keep it running.  Thank you!
My name is Marisol and I am 32 years old.  I have been very sick for the past two years with recurring infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia to name a few.  In December 2008 it was discovered that my gallbladder was not functioning properly and underwent surgery.  Unfortunately, I developed serious complications from the surgery and ended up being hospitalized for 28 days.  Once discharged I had to quit my job and  would spend the next 6 months fluctuating between weeks of being unable to eat any solid food and unable to have a bm to being able to eat bland foods and having diarrhea.  During those six months I slowly started developing additional symptoms but was so bogged down by my stomach issues that I didn't give more attention until I decided to write down on paper what my symptoms are.  This is what I wrote down in order of when I noticed them:

Weight gain (In 2 years went from 140 to 220 & didn't lose any weight while in the hospital or weeks of not eating)
Red patches on face
Hair (Now have facial hair, hair on my shoulders, back and chest)
Insomnia
Stretch marks all over my abdomen & shoulders and starting on sides and breasts (average of 10 new stretch marks a week)
The skin on my arms has become more transparent ( I can see all the veins underneath now)
Bruises appear on places I know I didn't hurt
Extremely dry skin regardless of how often I moisturize
Irregular menstrual cycle (either I don't get my period or I will get it up to 4 times in a month)
Problems with concentration & short term memory
Insect bites that are still present after a month
Headaches/Migraines

Ugh.  Sorry for the long list :-(    Anyway, about a month ago, I wrote everything down (and have continued adding, unfortunately) and did an internet search.  I came up with Cushing's but decided that I was overreacting and that my symptoms were probably just a coincidence.  While doing this, I  developed a pain that took me to an urgent care.  Once I told the doctor what was happening the first thing he said was that my symptoms (especially the stretch marks) are characteristic of Cushing's.  I was floored!  I had read all about it before leaving the house but did not say anything to the doctor about it and yet here he was telling me.  Needless to say that after reading about it, I was really hoping he wouldn't mention it.  However, since I don't have medical insurance he said that it would be fair to me for him to order the tests needed because I needed to be seen by an Endo specializing in Cushing's and that there aren't any in my area ( I live in Naples, FL).  He also said that visiting an Endo would be very expensive so he suggested what he thought was the next best thing...an Ob/Gyn.  There was a clinic he referred me to and I saw a Dr. there the following week.  Again, I didn't mention Cushing's but the Dr. did.  He said he couldn't help me and sent me to another Ob/Gyn he thought would help.  After waiting another week, he agreed with the other 2 doctors and sent me to an Endo in my area who was willing to accept payment plans.  I saw her 2 weeks ago and she only did the 24-hr urine test along with blood work for Thyroid issues.  The results were in last Thursday but the doctor (who leaves tomorrow to Peru for 2 months) has not bothered to even review the resuilts.  Needless to say I am not happy.  But, I am also concerned because I feel like every week that goes by I get new symptoms (and more hair & strectch marks) and I feel like I'm not doing anything productive.  I need to find a doctor who is willing to work with me (medically & financially) and can help me.

Anyway....sorry for the long bio and I look forward to hearing from all of you.  Thanks for taking the time to read and reply.

Marisol