Posted by Larry Hoover on October 31, 2004, at 8:21:07
In reply to Cushings??? Help! » Larry Hoover, posted by Simus on October 31, 2004, at 1:13:41
> http://www.ohsuhealth.com/pituitary/patients/hormone.asp
> >
> > Lar
>
> Larry,
>
> First of all, it is wonderful to hear from you again!Thank you. Back with a blast, eh?
> That site you posted started me down another path of research, and I have found much to my amazement that I fit the Cushing's Disease profile to a tee. Now I am trying to figure out if what I thought was adrenal fatigue from some unknown cause could actually be a pituitary tumor releasing too much ACTH, thereby causing adrenal problems. Does that make any sense???
It makes sense all right. Pituitary problems are often first diagnosed by the patient.
If Cushing's is associated with literal adrenal fatigue (one option in your intuitive response), then it has caused your adrenals to fail from overwork. However, bizarre as it may sound, both overactive and underactive adrenals cause fatigue.
What to do about it? Work your way around that site, as it is very well put together. Pay some attention to this link:
http://www.ohsuhealth.com/pituitary/patients/find_out.asp
The first investigation needs to be cortisol monitoring, both total urinary and sequential serum levels, to check diurnal output.
> Now I have a question of lesser concern, but it could be related. I have had nasal blockage to some degree my whole life. At times I can easily breath through one nostril but the other air flow through the other nostril is almost completely blocked. But then it can switch to partial restriction of air through both nostrils. Could this possibly be from a pituitary tumor pressing on the sinuses/airways?
Very unlikely. Pituitary tumours can have effects on vision, as the pituitary is close by the optical chiasm (an X-shaped (Greek for X is chi) structure where the optic nerve crosses over to the opposite side of the brain). You probably have sinuses with poor drainage. If you get head colds from hell, you should probably see an ENT doctor.
> Also, if a person has Cushing's Disease, would taking the new cortisol-restricting supplement be beneficial or harmful?
Probably would make you feel worse, if you're thinking about using licorice, for example. The adrenals would still be pumping out hormones, and the licorice would extend their half-life, making it seem like the adrenals were releasing even more hormones than they are.
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> SimusFirst bit, is to consider a well thought out plan of action. Bursting into a doctor's office with the declaration that you have Cushing's may not be met with the enthusiasm you wish to see.
I propose, to the best of your ability, to consider each of the symptoms of adrenal/pituitary dysfunction separately, and write down when the symptom started, how it affects you, how it responds to increased stress in your life, and so on. You want to paint a picture that even a dismissive doctor will have to take into account.
Also, at the outset, you must consider that you want to soon find a doctor with extensive experience in treating this disorder, if it is verified. Pituitary tumours are almost always benign (non-spreading), and tiny (seldom as big as a pea), but they are very hard to reach (just in front of a line between your ears, directly in line with the tip of your nose). And there may be non-surgical options, too.
The treatment for Cushing's can be debilitating, as the body winds down from being under ACTH stress. ACTH does more than signal the adrenals to produce hormones. It is a systemic hormone.
I'm both relieved and saddened if you have found your answer. Solving your problem is itself a problem.
If you want to bounce some ideas around, I have babblemail on. I'll give you my email address there, rather than posting it.
Good luck,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:359642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041022/msgs/409487.html