Cushing's Info

Hello All!

I stumbled across this site on accident actually after doing a search on rapid weight gain. Every search when I entered my symptoms led me straight to Cushings. The next thing I did was call my Mom and tell her about it, because she has been with me through all my struggles.

A little about me: I am 34 years old and I have a 14 year old daughter. I currently weigh an astouding 256lbs on a 5'5" frame.
My whole entire life I have been athletic, I played softball in high school and college, swam, golfed, bowled, you name it. I was the poster-child for anything sports related. I have always weighed around 135lbs on an athletic frame. Now I look like a Weeble-Wobble or an Apple. : (

When I turned 23 I started having issues with weight, depression, lack of sleep, back issues, knee problems, acne (up until this point, I never had even a blemish) skin tags, periods that would last an eternity, thyroid, etc...Pretty much everything that coincides with Cushing's.

When I was 28 years old I was hospitalized for depression. It was so bad I tried to take my own life. While in the hospital, they diagnosed me as Bi-Polar gave me drugs and sent me on my way. None of the doctors any where I went would listen to me when I told them how I felt, once you are diagnosed as Bi-Polar they attribute everything to your mental state. Since then I have been to more doctors that I know what to do with trying to get a real diagnosis on what is happening to my body.

I have never been depressed, that is how I know something is wrong. I have a great job, an amazing daughter, a beautiful home, good friends, a supportive family, what on earth do I have to be depressed about? I am the happy person with the infectous laugh. I can count the number of times I have been sad on two hands up until all this began.

Since 2001 I have gained over 120 lbs. But the weird thing is it comes in stages, so this leads me to believe that I may have cyclic Cushing's. I can go 6 or 7 months on a 1200 calorie intake and not gain or lose a pound. Then continue that same eating regiment a month later and gain 30. That is actually what brought me to this site. I have gained 16 lbs in a month. That is not normal. Especially since I walk at least 2 miles a day, swim 3 days a week, and kick box 2 times a week. The depression comes in stages too, as well as the acne, hair loss, hair growth, messed up periods and etc.

Regardless of how crappy I feel, I still have the desire to try and stay active. Lately however my exercise activities are taking a toll. My newest problem is severe back pain to the point I cannot get up out of a chair without wincing in pain. Not to mention the lack of sleep, the hip pain, and the random weird rashes that are popping up everywhere. I don't even know me anymore.

I am in tears while I am typing this. When you look at me all you see is my giant tummy. If I didnt have a stomach I would wear a size 8, currently I am in a 24, or tent size. I feel like a slob, because since I have no butt or legs you can imagine how ridiculous my clothing looks.
I also have the wonderful purple stretch marks on my stomach, hips and near my breasts adding to my freakish appearance. You know what the worst part is? The number of times I get asked if I am pregnant, or when my baby is due. I seriously get that at least 3 times a week. Awkward.

I have most of the symptoms listed. I made an appointment for Wednesday of this week to give it another go. New doctor and hopefully a new outcome. I want my life back. I want to feel good, I want to wake up in the morning and be ready to get out of bed, I want to be able to walk 2 miles and not feel like I am going to die, I want to be able to have my daughter give me a hug and actually be able to fit her little arms around my waist.

All I can do at this point is pray and thank Mary for starting this site. I now have hope again. I am tired of people thinking I am crazy, when I know I am not.

Erin @->--