Cushing's Info

Hi. My name is Kim and I have been diagnosed with pituitary Cushings in the last 6 months. My frustrating story starts about  a year and a half ago when I started with episodes of dizziness. We were living in WV at the time. Went to my GP and she referred me to an ENT. He ran some tests, did a MRI and nothing was found. I was sent to a balance therapist and he ran some balance testing of which I failed miserably. They could not figure out why I was so dizzy and off balance, gave up and said I needed balance therapy. My husband and I were very frustrated. We wanted to know what was wrong and not just treat some symptoms. At this point I noticed that I had a hard time with weakness. Especially climbing stairs. By the way I don't see where many people talk of dizziness with Cushings.

My husband was offered a job in AZ and we decided to move our family in Dec. 08. I truely believe this is a work of God. We got here and I found a  GP. He found that my blood pressure,heart rate, and cholesterol were very high. I used to be a very active person and ate well, and was 105 lbs. He sent me to a ENT. He did not help. I also went to a cardiololgist and neurologist. To make a long story short I was put on med. to lower heart rate and blood pressure, and also to lower my cholesterol. The cardiololgist suggested I see an endocronologist. So I was referred to one in Tucson which is 1 1/2 hrs. from me. He looked at me and thought Cushings but had never seen dizziness associated with it. So he tested me for something else and then decided to test me for cushings. BINGO! I have had all the tests and there is a strong indication that the tumor is on the right side of my pituitary but they can't see it. I have all the strange symptoms. Weight gain, stretch marks, red moon shaped face, loss of hair, severe weakness and fatigue, etc etc. Met with the neurosurgeon Oct.19 and surgery is scheduled for Dec.8. I know that the Lord had moved us to Az so that I can finally get a diagnosis. No doc has given up on me here. I really believe that the Lord has lead me here to the best doctors. I am having surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix with a doc who is so very well known for what he does. He will remove the right side of my pituitary and hope that works since the can't see the tumor. He was very honest with me about the recovery and that scares me more than the surgery honestly. I don't want to be layed up sick. I know what I am dealing with now and struggle daily with life and my 4 kids. My energy level is so pitiful. But will it be worse after surgery??

I would love to hear from someone who can help me with what to expect post op. I really struggle emotionally and just don't want to burden my family with this. My husband is such a good listener but I don't want him to have to deal with this in me anymore. I am glad I found this board so that I can vent and get some support. I am so concerned as this surgery is just a few weeks away. I have never been so scared and needy.      Kim