http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/ Cushing's syndrome (hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism) is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. Sometimes called "hypercortisolism," it is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50. An estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year. It was discovered by American physician, surgeon and endocrinologist <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/harvey.htm"><strong>Harvey Cushing (1869-1939)</strong></a> and reported by him in 1932. Cushing's syndrome occurs when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#cortisol:"><strong>cortisol</strong></a> for long periods of time. Cortisol helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function and is responsible for helping the body respond to stress. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome because they take steroids such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases, or for immunosuppression after transplantation. Prednisone is well-known for a "bloating" look that it gives people who take it. Others develop Cushing's syndrome because of overproduction of cortisol by the body due to a tumor on the <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#Pituitary%20Tumors"><strong>pituitary</strong></a> (usually an adenoma or benign tumor of the pituitary glands) or <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#adrenal%20gland"><strong>adrenal glands</strong></a>, or <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#ectopic"><strong>elsewhere in the body</strong></a> Adrenal cancers, or other adrenal abnormalities may be the cause of Cushing’s Syndrome as well. People who have been diagnosed with depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic attacks tend to have higher cortisol levels as well. These types of Cushing's may be called <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/clinical-cushings.htm"><strong>Pseudo-Cushing's</strong></a>. Symptoms vary, but most people have upper body obesity (central obesity), rounded face ("moon face"), increased fat around the neck and on the back of the neck (<a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#Buffalo%20Hump"><strong>buffalo hump</strong></a>), and thinning arms and legs. Children tend to be obese with slowed growth rates. Other symptoms appear in the skin, which becomes fragile and thin. It bruises easily and heals poorly. Purplish pink stretch marks (<a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#Striae:"><strong>straie</strong></a>) may appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts. The bones are weakened, and routine activities such as bending, lifting or rising from a chair may lead to backaches, rib and spinal column fractures. Most people have severe fatigue, weak muscles, persistent hypertension (due to the aldosterone-like effects) and <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#Insulin%20resistance"><strong>insulin resistance</strong></a>, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) which can lead to diabetes mellitus. Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to frank psychosis. Depression and anxiety, including panic attacks, are common. Women usually have excess hair growth (<a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#hirsutism"><strong>hirsutism</strong></a>) on their faces, necks, chests, abdomens, and thighs. Their menstrual periods may become irregular or stop (<a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#amenorrhea:"><strong>amenorrhoea</strong></a>). Men have decreased fertility with diminished or absent desire for sex. Other symptoms include excess sweating, <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#Telangiectasia"><strong>telangiectasia</strong></a> (dilation of capillaries, spider veins), atrophy of the skin (which gets thin and bruises easily) and other mucous membranes, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders). The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, reduced libido, impotence and infertility. Untreated Cushing's syndrome can lead to heart disease and increased mortality. Excess <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm#acth"><strong>ACTH</strong></a> may also result in hyperpigmentation of the skin. For a more complete list of Cushing's Symptoms, see the <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/checklist.htm"><strong>Cushing's Checklist</strong></a>. Many tests are done to determine if a person has Cushing's. You can find a listing of them <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/tests.htm"><strong>here</strong></a>. The <a href="http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?"><strong>message boards</strong></a> are very active and we have <a href="http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?autocom=chatpara"><strong>weekly online chats</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/meetings.htm"><strong>local meetings</strong></a>, email newsletters, a clothing exchange, a <a href="http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=14273&amp;st=0" target="_blank"><strong>Cushing's Awareness Day Forum</strong></a>, Oklahoma City, OK in honor of <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/harvey.htm"><strong>Dr. Harvey Cushing's birthday</strong></a> April 6 to 8, 2006, phone support and much more. Whenever one of the members of the boards gets into NIH, I try to go to visit them there. Other board members participate in the <a href="http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=14721"><strong>"Cushie Helper" program</strong></a> where they support others with one-on-one support, doctor/hospital visits, transportation issues and more. <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/maryos_story.htm"><img src="http://www.cushings-help.com/maryo3.gif" border="0" height="60" width="144"> <strong>Read about my experiences with Cushing's</strong></a> Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:03:53 -0000 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:59:13 -0000 http://images.cushingshelp.multiply.com/logo http://cushingshelp.multiply.com 100 100 <p><a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/staceyjenn.htm" target="_blank">StaceyJenn</a>, April 3.&nbsp; StaceyJenn was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and a host of other ailments in 2001 (candidiasis, intestinal permeability, 22 latent food allergies). </p><p>Once diagnosed, she was on specially formulated hydrocortisone for 7 years as she was allergic to the fillers in the meds. Her doctor stopped practicing and she was transferred to his associate. She switched StaceyJenn to medrol. </p><p>After Cushing's symptoms, a new endo started weaning her off the medrol and she had many problems. <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/staceyjenn.htm" target="_blank">Read StaceyJenn's bio</a></p><p><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CushingsHelp" target="_blank"><img id="btnListenLive" alt="Listen to CushingsHelp on internet talk radio" src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/img/180x60_listenlive.gif" border="0"></a></p> http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/journal/item/5/This_week_in_Voice_Chat Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:59:13 -0000 <ul><li><p><a href="http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?showuser=4487" target="_blank">Monica (Monicaroni)</a> and <a href="http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?showuser=4792" target="_blank">Crystal (Vinesqueen)</a>, March 27, 2008. The Call-In number is (646) 200-0162.</p> <p>Crystal and Monica went through every step of their Cushing's journey together--tested together, had surgeries the same days, and have become best friends because of it.</p> <p>Monica was diagnosed with Cyclical Cushing's. She had pituitary surgery in November 2006. An 8mm encapsulated pituitary tumor was removed. </p> <p>Since there was no post-op crash, she also had a BLA in December 2006. Both surgeries were in Seattle. She is now free of Cushing's and am on the road to recovery!</p> <p>Monica is a professional violinist.</p> <p> From <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/monica.htm">Monica's bio</a></p> <p> Crystal had pituitary surgery surgery 11/06 followed by a BLA 12/06. She also had a sinus excavation 2/06 and sinus surgery 5/07. Her last surgery was an internal hernia repair 8/07</p> <p> Her blog is available at <a href="http://vinesqueen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://vinesqueen.blogspot.com/</a></p> <p> <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CushingsHelp" target="_blank"><img id="btnListenLive" alt="Listen to CushingsHelp on internet talk radio" src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/img/180x60_listenlive.gif" border="0"></a></p> </li></ul> http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/journal/item/4/This_week_in_Voice_Chat Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:35:02 -0000 Monica (Monicaroni) and Crystal (Vinesqueen), March 27, 2008. The Call-In number is (646) 200-0162. Crystal and Monica went through every step of their Cushing's journey together--tested together, had surgeries the same days, and have become best friends because of it. Monica was diagnosed with Cyclical Cushing's. She had pituitary surgery in November 2006. An 8mm encapsulated pituitary tumor was removed. Since there was no post-op crash, she also had a BLA in December 2006. Both surgeries were in Seattle. She is now free of Cushing's and am on the road to recovery! Monica is a professional violinist. From Monica's bio Crystal had pituitary surgery surgery 11/06 followed by a BLA 12/06. She also had a sinus excavation 2/06 and sinus surgery 5/07. Her last surgery was an internal hernia repair 8/07 Her blog is available at <a href="http://vinesqueen.blogspot.com/">http://vinesqueen.blogspot.com/</a> http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/calendar/item/10005/Monica_Monicaroni_and_Crystal_Vinesqueen Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:06:29 -0000 Karen (Rooon55), part 2, March 20, 2008. Karen's disease started when she was a little girl (7) and she finally got a diagnosis in 2005. She had cycling Cushing's, Thyroid disease, GH deficiency, and Auto immune Alopecia. She believes she is cured after two Pituitary surgeries. A doctor didn't advise Vermont's Karen Nolan (Rooon on the boards) that she might be one of the scant 3.5 per million people diagnosed annually with Cushing's disease - another Cushing's patient http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/calendar/item/10004/Interview_with_Karen_Nolan_part_2 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:36:59 -0000 Listen as Robin Smith (staticnrg) and Mary O'Connor (MaryO) co-host Cushing's message board members calling in to talk about their fight for diagnosis and treatment. The show will be opened with a brief explanation of what Cushing's is and what the symptoms http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/calendar/item/10003/_Cushings_Diagnosis_and_Symptoms_part_2 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:33:49 -0000 Robin had Cushing's for over 20 years, at least. Of course, no one figured it out or even put two and two together until her new PCP whom she found in 2004 said "endocrine". She didn't figure it out, either, but at least Robin had a piece of the puzzle and she found cushings-help.com. Robin immediately went into denial and left for several months until she got so sick she knew she had to have http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/calendar/item/10002/Mary_OConnor_MaryO_second_interview_with_Robin_Smith_staticnrg Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:32:18 -0000 This new series of Cushing's Voice Chats and Interviews is helping to give information and support to current Cushing's patients as well as reaching out to those who are just starting to think about http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/links/item/3/Cushings_Voice_Chats_and_Interviews Fri, 4 Jan 2008 16:36:57 -0000 Thanks to the success of last night's first Voice Chats, we will be having them every Thursday night through January at 6:30 PM eastern. There is a call-in number if you want to share with the hostess and, if you can't make it at that time, archives will be http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/calendar/item/10001/Voice_Chats Fri, 4 Jan 2008 16:36:24 -0000 Thursday, January 3, 6:30PM Eastern.&nbsp; Listen live to an interview with <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cushings-help.com/maryos_story.htm">MaryO</a>, Robin (staticnrg) hosting.&nbsp; Achived audio will be available through <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cushings-help.com/podcasts.htm" target="_blank">the Podcast page of this site</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CushingsHelp" target="_blank">BlogTalkRadio</a> or through <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=271150820" target="_blank">iTunes Podcasts</a> <br><br><br><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CushingsHelp" target="_blank"><img id="btnListenLive" alt="Listen to CushingsHelp on internet talk radio" src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/img/180x60_listenlive.gif" border="0"></a><br><br><br><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=271150820" target="_blank">Subscribe to the CushingsHelp podcasts on iTunes</a> http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/journal/item/3/Upcoming_Interview Tue, 1 Jan 2008 09:25:54 -0000 <strong>Robin (Staticnrg)</strong> explains that diurnal variation is one of the ways to diagnose Cushing's. It's typical of those of us who have Cushing's. Robin says "If you have pseudo-Cushing's, this variation doesn't happen. A typical/normal person has their highest cortisol around 8 a.m. and it goes down incrementally until it is around zero at midnight. This is true of a person with pseudo Cushing's, too. A person with Cushing's Disease/Syndrome will have the variation shown in the link above. It's important to have this measured. The easiest way to find out is to have late-night serum cortisol measurements (around 11 p.m.) to see what it is at that time of night. If you have elevated late-night cortisols, it indicates Cushing's Syndrome/Disease. One test in the a.m. will not tell you enough information. Stress affects everyone's cortisol. But elevated cortisol over a period of time is due to something other than "stress". And it hurts your body. Even it is intermittent (cyclical), it is v... http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/music/item/1/Diurnal_variation_in_diagnosing_Cushings Tue, 1 Jan 2008 09:16:23 -0000 <strong>Weekly Chat Reminders and Occasional Newsletters are back!</strong><br> <br><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CushingsChatReminders"> Sign up</a> to take advantage of this returning feature. Weekly chat reminders start immediately and Newsletters will return after the beginning of the year on an occasional basis.<br> <br> The Newsletters are of interest to Cushing's patients, friends, family and others interested in this "rare" disease. <br> <br> The information you provide here will be used to for weekly chat reminders and periodic email newsletters. It will never be used for other purposes. <strong>This information will not be sold or shared with anyone for any purpose. </strong> <br> <br> To improve deliverability, please add CushingsChatReminders@yahoogroups.com to your address book.<br><br><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CushingsChatReminders">Sign up here.</a><br> <br> Read <b>archived past newsletters</b> here: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cushingsonline.com/newsletters/newsletters.htm">http://www.cushingsonline.com/newsletters/newsletters.htm</a> http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/journal/item/1/Weekly_Chat_Reminders_and_Occasional_Newsletters_are_back Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:30:46 -0000 I have started <a href="http://cushings-info.com/blog">a new Blog called Cushing’s, Cancer & Music</a> and I plan to keep that updated a little more often than <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/maryos_story.htm">my regular bio</a>. Rather than the actual events that have taken place, I am letting some of my pent-up feelings http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/links/item/2/Cushings_Cancer_Music Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:54:44 -0000 <strong>Surgery could cure rare Cushing's disease</strong><p>Story by <a href="http://www.49abcnews.com/staff/jessica_lovell/">JessicaLovell</a> (<a href="http://www.49abcnews.com/staff/jessica_lovell/contact/" class="contactlink">Contact</a>)</p><p>9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2006</p><p>This video requires the free <a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/">QuickTime 7 plug-in</a>.</p> <p>Download: <ul><li><a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/downloads/jaimie-health.mov">For your computer</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/downloads/jaimie-health.mp4">For your iPod</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/downloads/jaimie-health.3gp">For your mobile device</a></li></ul><p>Cushing’s disease brought four women together for what they fondly refer to as their “Cushie Party.”</p><p>“I don’t know about you guys, but my family didn’t even believe me,” <strong>Jaimie Augustine***</strong>, Cushing’s patient, said. “You don’t gain 70 pounds in 7 months and have something not be wrong.”</p><p>Cushing’s disease is caused by a rare tumor in the pituitary gland. The tumor itself is not the problem, but it causes the body to produce too muchof the hormone cortisol. It’s the excess cortisol that wreaks havoc on thebody.</p><p>“I started having hair growth on my chin, and on my arms,” Augustine said. “I got purple stretch marks on my stomach.”</p><p>It didn’t matter if Augustine ate as little as a thousand calories a day, she still gained 100 pounds.</p><p>It took five years before Jaimie’s doctors pieced ... http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/video/item/2/Pituitary_Surgery_could_cure_rare_Cushings_disease Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:37:15 -0000 This site provides information, support, RSS feeds, news, and education for people with Cushing's or other endocrine problems, their friends and families. Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of cortisol. Cushing's is a debilitating disease which causes the overproduction of cortisol, the substance that regulates blood pressure, and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. It can be caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, elsewhere in the body (ectopic) or by excessive steroid http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/links/item/1/Welcome_Cushings-Help.com_Support_for_Cushings_Syndrome_and_Cushings_Disease Sun, 4 Nov 2007 06:37:13 -0000 <strong>Kate and Dr. Ted Friedman on National Geographic TV</strong> were featured on the National Geographic channel. The show, called the <strong>Science of Obesity</strong>, has a segment on Cushing's syndrome. Today, 127 million adult Americans are considered overweight, but few reach the extreme proportions of the exceptionally obese. What are the physical stresses of weighing more than 500 pounds and what steps can reverse it? NGC provides an understanding of what happens inside the bodies of these massive people & why a person can pack on hundreds more pounds than those with typical weight challenges. The show explores the genetics behind weight gain & medical advances available to help prevent it. I hope that all of you can watch this. Please consider contacting your local media about doing your story! There is still much work to do to increase Cushing's awareness. <a href="http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=24388&pid=211536&st=0&#entry211536" target="_blank">Discuss this TV show.</a> <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/doctors-ca.htm#Friedman">More about Dr Ted Friedman</a> http://cushingshelp.multiply.com/video/item/1/NGC_Special_on_Obesity-Cushings_Segment Sun, 4 Nov 2007 06:28:05 -0000