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LilDickens

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Blog Entries posted by LilDickens

  1. LilDickens
    The first thing I must say is the Radiolgist here! ROCK! I had a CT Scan without contrast, but was prepared for it, and with two swipes they had a satisfactory reading for my doctor. The reason I praise them is because they are the only ones after two other chest x rays ( and another CT scan for adrenals), that came up with the answer why I can't breath and my chest hurt!I am all packed and ready to fly home today. I will review the report later!~ Monday..one week after Camp Cushie- Did I really go?? WOW!@ Night draws, UFCs, salivas...tests. I CAN'T wait to see my results. I feel I was up alot all night, rootng around , feeling on a high. But who knows. I don't do well on salivas. Dr L's staff is so wonderful and supportive. A person is so use to being beat up, it is hard to let your gaurd down and relax. I had a wonderful PA screen me....made me feel comfortable to talk, Of course I froze up whe Doc L came in. I just couldn't think. He said back to square one...testing for Cushings which he believes I have a mild case. I don't have to prove my symptoms, just let's see what the testing says. I do believe he thinks my one test was done wrong from my old Endo. Not a good thing. It was the test that sent me to surgery...not that that was a bad thing...but leaves a "mess" trying to locate more of the tumor or who knows what else! I am a jumbled mess. I need to post my MRI results and CT Scan findings. I will do that soon. I am worn out from a 7 hour flight- 4 1/2 hour- transfer 2 1/2 hour homebound then 1 1/2 hour ride home. Wow, tired! Lost three hours coming home from Seattle. Chest CT Scan: Volume: mildly diminshed; poor inspirationLungs: Mild left basilar atelectasisEverything else ok including the heartCT Abdomen WO Contrast:Unehanced images of the liver, gallbladder, etc are unremarkable. Abdominal aortic cacifications indicate atherosclerosis. Right Adrenal gland in maximal craniocaudad extent measures up to 3.6cm. Maximal AP extent is approx 2.8 cm.Maxima thickness of the medial, lateral limb and body of the adrenal is approx 4-5 cm. No distinct masses are seen,Left adrenal gland in maximal craniocaudad extent approx. 4.8cm. Maximal AP extent is approx 2.4-2.5 cm. there is a mild amount f thickening of the body and medial limb of the left gland without a distinct nodule measuring up to 5mm.Impression:Mild thickening of the left adrenal gland , specifically the body and medial limb without evidence of a distinct nodule or mass. Adrenal glands are in the upper limits of normal size bilaterally. Pituitary MRI: 3 TelsaHigh resolution images show post operative findings. Show the same as the last MRI Post Op.As before, there is a relatively enhancing soft tissue signal involving the bilateral cavernous sinuses, but paticularly the left carticod venous sulcus. This area however is unchanged since the comparison with the 3/2010 examination, on today's examination measures up to 5mm in thickness, and 4.9mm in thickness on 3/2010 exam.The infundibulum remains midline. Mid Sagittal height of the pituitary measures 3.7mm, previously approx 4.4 mm , again presumed to reflect evolution of the fat graft material used.Impression:Continued evolution of postoperative changes in the pituitary fossa, no convincing evidence of a tumor reoccurence or progressio is identified.There remains hypoenhancing material at the inferior aspect of the fossa, although decreased, I connot completely exclude a component of residual tumor, continued follow up is suggested. The high IGF-1 also was considered to send me to surgery...... which proved I had a mild case, since my levels are within normal ranges Post Op.Here are my photos from my trip, including my touring of the big city! http://www.facebook....60&l=922d50ca57~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  2. LilDickens
    MY RESULTS:
    ACTH
    base 33 H
    49H
    47H
    53
    61H
    97
    72
    70
     
    I have no range to go by.
     
    Cortisol
    25.3 base High ( 10-25)
    21.3
    25.4
    27.6
    29.1
    30.3
    32.4
    31.2
     
     
    (The measure is 50% increase in ACTH after CRH and 20% increase in cortisol - my comment)
     
    Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the hypothalamic peptide which stimulates ACTH release from the pituitary gland, has been available for investigational use for nearly a decade. The formulation of greatest clinical utility, ovine CRH, is currently under evaluation by the United States Food and Drug Administration for approval as a new drug. Because approval is anticipated in the near future, it is important to define the clinical indications for this peptide. A key utilization of CRH will be in patients with Cushing's syndrome. Three settings in which oCRH testing has been useful in the evaluation of patients with Cushing's syndrome are: 1) the differential diagnosis of ACTH dependent versus ACTH independent Cushing's syndrome, 2) to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling, and 3) distinguishing between Cushing's syndrome and pseudo-Cushing's syndrome.
     
    Testing Protocol
    To perform a CRH test, blood is drawn for baseline ACTH and cortisol levels at -15 and 0 minutes followed by a 1 mg/kg dose of oCRH administered as an IV bolus. Samples for ACTH and cortisol are then drawn at 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The test is well tolerated, with the most common side effects being transient facial flushing occurring in 20% of subjects, and rare dyspnea and hypotension. Normal subjects experience a rapid rise in ACTH and cortisol, with a gradual decline over the subsequent two hours.
     
    CRH Testing - Differential Diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome
    The first use of oCRH is in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome to establish the site of hormone excess in patients with documented cortisol excess (Fig. 1). The use of CRH in this setting is based on the principle that pituitary tumors are responsive to exogenous CRH, whereas ectopic and adrenal tumors are not. In Cushing's disease, at least a 50% rise in ACTH and a 20% rise in cortisol compared to baseline have been described as criteria providing a 91% sensitivity and 95% specificity for pituitary Cushing's. It has also been shown that using both the CRH test and the high dose dexamethasone suppression test enhances diagnostic accuracy. In adrenal Cushing's, the low ACTH and high cortisol levels at baseline are not affected by CRH injection. In ectopic Cushing's, typically due to carcinoid or oat cell tumors of the lung but reported for a wide variety of tumor types, the high ACTH and high cortisol levels at baseline are usually not altered by the CRH administration. However, a few cases of ectopic Cushing's in which some response was seen to CRH have been reported. Interestingly, in nearly all of those cases, ACTH rises without a concomitant increase in cortisol, suggesting that the cortisol response to CRH may be the most specific biochemical test differentiating between pituitary and ectopic Cushing's syndrome. It has been theorized that this discrepancy between ACTH and cortisol release may be due to the secretion of "big ACTH" by ectopic tumors, with these abnormal forms of ACTH being less bioactive, resulting in a smaller adrenal response to a given amount of ACTH.
     
    Figure 1
    Reprinted by permission of the New England Journal of Medicine Vol. 310, page 622, 1984
     
     
     
    CRH Testing - Bilateral Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling
    The second use of CRH is to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) for ACTH. BIPSS is performed via femoral catheterization to sample blood from the inferior petrosal sinuses draining from the pituitary. This provides for comparison between central and peripheral ACTH values, allowing definitive confirmation of the site of hormone excess. It is also possible, by comparing right versus left side ACTH values to predict the tumor location and provide this information to the pituitary neurosurgeon. (See Vol. 1 of newsletter). The rationale for using CRH during BIPSS is that false negative test results may occur in up to 18% of patients subsequently proven to have pituitary Cushing's. This is due to the fact that secretion of ACTH from corticotroph adenomas can be episodic, and a low value may be measured from the petrosal sinuses if the blood is collected between ACTH pulses. Use of CRH stimulates ACTH release from the corticotroph adenoma, producing a higher pituitary-to- peripheral ratio, and thereby allowing better discrimination between pituitary and ectopic Cushing's. If the pituitary to peripheral ratio is >3 with CRH, the patient has Cushing's disease. In contrast, if it is <3, the patient has ectopic Cushing's. The sensitivity and specificity of BIPSS each reach 100% if CRH is used. Approximately 100 BIPSS's have been performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital with results very similar to those reported by the NIH and with no neurologic complications. An example of data from a BIPSS with CRH performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital is shown in Table 1.
     
    CRH Test - Cushing Syndrome versus Pseudo-Cushing's
    The most recently described use of CRH in the evaluation of patients with Cushing's has been a new test designed to distinguish Cushing's syndrome from pseudo-Cushing's states. Differentiating between hypercortisolemia associated with endogenous depression (pseudo-Cushing's) versus depression associated with true Cushing's syndrome can be extremely difficult. Insulin tolerance tests, in which patients with primary depression have a normal cortisol response and patients with Cushing's syndrome have a blunted response, and CRH tests, in which patients with primary depression have a blunted response and patients with Cushing's syndrome have a normal to exaggerated response, have been advocated to make the distinction between these diagnoses. However, the data show substantial overlap between groups. Therefore, although these tests have been useful in studying the physiology of these disorders, they have not been as useful diagnostically as initially hoped. It has often been necessary to follow patients with depression versus Cushing's for many years with improvement in primary endogenous depression (either spontaneously or with pharmacotherapy) indicating absence of Cushing's syndrome. A recent study has suggested that it is possible to distinguish patients with pseudo-Cushing's from those with Cushing's syndrome by performing a CRH test immediately following a standard low dose dexamethasone suppression test. The last dose of the eight 0.5 dexamethasone pills is given at 6 a.m., followed by an 8 a.m. injection of CRH. A plasma cortisol greater than 1.4 mg/dl measured 15 minutes after the CRH injection differentiated all patients with Cushing's syndrome from those with pseudo-Cushing's. The values for plasma cortisol in the 39 patients with Cushing's syndrome and the 19 patients with pseudo-Cushing's who had elevated urine free cortisol are shown in the Figure 2. This test had 100 % specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy and is extremely promising for the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome in this difficultsituation.
     
    In summary, the CRH test is a safe, well-tolerated diagnostic tool which will have a beneficial impact on our ability to diagnose accurately patients with Cushing's syndrome.
     
    Figure 2
    JAMA, 1993; 269: 2232-2238 with permission
     
     
    References
    Yanovski JA, et al. Corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation following low-dose dexamethasone administration. JAMA. 1993; 269: 2232.
    Chrousos GP, et al. The corticotropin-releasing factor stimulation test: An aid in the evaluation of patients with Cushing's syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1984; 310:622.
    Oldfield EH, et al. Petrosal sinus sampling with and without corticotropin-releasing hormone for the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1991; 325:897.
    Nieman LK, et al. The ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test and the dexamethasone suppression test in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Ann Int Med. 1986; 105:862.
     
    Table 1
    Number Right Left Peripheral Peripheral/Pit Side/Side
    Baseline 1 18 34 16 2.1 1.9
    Baseline 2 19 32 15 2.1 1.7
    CRH 2-3 min. 18 31 15 2.1 1.7
    CRH 5 min. 37 475 22 21.6 12.8
    CRH 10 min. 68 308 41 7.5 4.5
    CRH 10 min. 67 194 62 3.1 2.9
     
    Neuroendocrine & Pituitary Center | Referrals
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    Volume 15, Issue 1, Spring 2009
  3. LilDickens
    Dx- Cushings / Acromegaly /Jan 28th, 2010
    DrJHO- Pituitary Surgery- morn cort - 8.0
     
    Other Dx:Hypothyroidism, Hashimotas, Diabetic Insipidus-DI, Low GH, Pre-Diabetic, Osteopina,Atherosclerosis-aortic calcification, Basiler Atelectasis
     
    LABS-
    Pre Op:
    4/09
    6+ midnight saliva's - within normal range
    UFC- 57.9, 55............ .......(range > 50)
     
    9/09
    UFC -.37,37,49, 48, 63 ....( 10-34)
    Free Cort/Creat Rat. 46 (9-32) 5.3 (1.6-3.6)
    IGF-1-234 (88-249), 342 (87-238)
    MRI- no visible tumor
     
    12/09
    CRH Test- positive pituitary, Glocouse Supression test -Normal !
     
     
    SURGERY 1/28/2010
    Adenoma- Stained GH-Positive, ACTH -negative
     
    6/10-Doc say I'm cured
     
     
    6 months Post Op:
    No weight loss
    tired
    shortness of breath- very prevalent- unpredictable,
    drop to my knees sometimes
     
    thyroid issues
     
    Post Op Testing:
    6/2010
     
    UFC 24s- .............53, 51 range >50
    UFC 17s-.............48, 55 (10-34)
     
     
    9 months:Going for testing at Camp Cushie- Oct 25th, 2010.
    Tested high in ACTH, Cortisol and UFC
     
    Camp Cushie
    midnight cortisols 7.0, 5.6, 5.1, 4.6 ( upper limit 5)
    high Acth ........78
    high UFC ........74
    random serum cortisol 26.3 ( upper limit 28)
     
    1 year Post Op:
    Surgery Jan 28th, 2010
     
    Dr L's Home Test Kit #1
    UFC........... 74, 72, 48, 31 (0-50)
    Saliva-........normal
    ACTH - ... .38.2, 31.0, 26.4 , 39.6 ( 7.2-63.3)
    Cortisol-....15.7, 11.0, 14.4 , 12.9 (2.3-11.9)
     
     
    Dr L's Home Test Kit #2
     
    Cortisol....21.5, 17.7, 9.0, 11.9 , 5.8 ( 2.3-19.4)
    ACTH ......51.6, 42.9, 39.8, 32.0, 14.2 ( 7.2 - 63.3)
    UFC - .......44, 45 ,33 , 31, 48....(0-50)
    Salivas- Lost in mail and 1.8, 2.1, 1.8, 1.5
     
    Hemoglobin A1c ........ 6.2 (5.7- 6.4 )
    New Dx 1/2011-....Pre Diabetic-told to exercise /lose weight
    Blurry vision-right eye tearing-specialist says I am ok- 20/20
    Back pain @ 8:20 am followed by flushing, some nausea
    Dizziness
    Sparatic High BP and Sugar level
    Shallow breath- going to Pulmunary Doctor -CT Scan-Basiler Atelectasis
    Atherosclerosis-aortic calcification- heart
    Heaviest I've ever weighed.
  4. LilDickens
    Date........ Time ......Cortisol ..... ACTH
     
    10/25 ...... 1100 .........6.6 ..........19.5
     
    Tuesday______________________________
     
    10/26 ....... 0001 ...........4.6 ..........35.1
     
     
     
    10/26.......0001(0030)...5.1 ...........25.7
     
     
     
    10/26 ....... 0400.......... 0.1 ............78.0.
     
    .Stim Test-------------------------------------------
     
    -10/26 .......800.......... 10.7 ........ 33.6
     
    10/26 ....... 0830 ...... 26.3 ...........
     
    10/26 ....... 1200 ........ 4.5 ...........29.8
     
    10/26 ....... 1600 ........ 6.1 .......... 26.2
     
    10/26 ....... 2000 ........ 3.6 ........... 24.3
     
    -------------------------------------------------------------
     
     
     
     
     
    Wednesday _____________________________
     
    10/27 ....... 0001........ 5.6............. 34.7
     
    10/27 ...... 0030 ......... 7.0 ........... 18.8
     
    10/27 .......0400........ 15.8 ............ 36.4
     
    10/27 ...... 0800......... 10.3 ..............
     
     
    UFC 74 and 35
     
    Supressed Dex test
  5. LilDickens
    Facing Life Objectively:
     
    DxedCushings with Acromegaly Nov 09
    Surgery on Pit tumor Jan 28, 2010 Endocscopical ( no packing)
     
    Recovery:
    Day 6 :
    Feeling lighter, like breathing better
    Sleep better
    Hemmorroids disappeared
    Vaginal area tightened
    Tongue decreasing in size
    Normal Bowel movements
    Can sleep on side where pain use to be
    Can get up from a squat
    stiffiness going away
    Diziness gone
    Feet stopped being sweaty
    Lost 4-5 lbs!
     
    Stuffy nose
    Lack of taste
     
    Day 14
    Same
    Normal BP
    Normal Pulse
    Still no taste
     
    Day 20
    Sinus infection-Dx Feb15 , antibiotic
    Can't smell nor taste
    BP up a little
    feel bloated
    No more weight loss
    Feel Cushie
    Depression
    Some tired days
    Lots of Sneezing and a bloody nose on Feb 14
    Still tinted pink two days later
    DI- on desmopressin acetate
    No Pain
    Sleeping better
     
    Cortef- 20 mg morn, 10mgs 3 pm since surgery
     
    Day 26
    Still tinting some pink in sinus discharge
    DI
    Bloated
    Can't smell-taste
    Depressed
    Vaginal immflamation
     
    Earlobes down- earrings fit better
    Normal Bowel movements
    Headaches gone
     
    9 weeks
    I can smell and taste!
    gained weight
    Tired
    Headache
  6. LilDickens
    I showed concern in one of my post about having contracted MRSA and looking towards the future for having surgery.....Thought I would be turned down or something. Here's a really good answer I recieved:
     
     
    Yes, you can have surgery. The doctors will want to make sure you have pre-op antibiotic coverage.
     
    The best thing you can do to reduce the risk of a post-op infection is to wash with hibiclens (an anti-biotic soap) for a couple days before surgery. It reduces the bacteria on your skin and has been shown in british studies to reduce the risk of a post-op infection.
     
    Thank you, Happy41
  7. LilDickens
    When I started testing at home, it was really a good idea to obtain an online fax # with a fax center to recieve in. I got mine at
     
     
    Smart Fax
     
    http://www.smartfax.com/
     
    First 30 days are free....Cancel at anytime. I might not even use it for longer then that!
    Easy, right to my home and read my results without waiting for snail mail!
  8. LilDickens
    I discovered the trail of Acromegaly on my body...I have been Dxed with and Surgery for:
    Carparal Tunnel Syndrome- surgery both hands
    Heel Spurs
    Dental problems-rebuild bridges
    TMJ both sides
    Backaches
    Ring size changed 3 times
    Grew 1+ Inches in height
    1/2 shoe size up
    4-5 dress sizes up
    Tonsilictomy-enlarged tonsils
    Hemmeroids and surgery
    Cysts- Ovarian and Gangoloin- Surgery
    Hat sized up
    Tennis Elbow
    Hip Pain
    3 Ceserean Births- did not dialate
    Emergency surgery on foot- MRSA
  9. LilDickens
    http://www.endotext.org/neuroendo/neuroend...endoframe5e.htm
     
    Whoa, good article
     
     
    Given the chronic nature and associated significant increased morbidity and mortality of acromegaly, treatment is required for almost all patients. Three modalities of treatment are available: surgery, pituitary irradiation and medical therapy. All of these have advantages and disadvantages and more than one modality is frequently needed, often all three. The decision as to whether to treat and the modality employed must be based on a number of factors, including patient age and general health, wish for fertility, severity of disease and any associated complications, and the risk/benefit ratio of the proposed treatment modality. The goals of treatment are summarised in Table 4.
     
    Table 4. Acromegaly- aims of treatment
     

    Removal of the pituitary tumour and resolution of mass effects
    Relief of the symptoms and signs of acromegaly
    Restoration of normal rates of secretion of growth hormone and IGF-I
    Maintenance of normal anterior pituitary function
    Prevention of recurrence
    Assessment and treatment of chronic complications
    Whilst the general principles of these aims are accepted by all endocrinologists, there remains considerable controversy as to the degree of growth hormone reduction that should be the target and what level should be regarded as normal. The use of sensitive growth hormone assays has demonstrated that abnormal patterns of growth hormone secretion can remain despite reduction in mean circulating concentrations to extremely low levels, and thus complete restoration to normality is often not achieved. Early epidemiological reviews, particularly those documenting the results of surgery, tended to regard a mean level of less than 5 ng/ml as being satisfactory. It has become clear in recent years that the excess mortality associated with acromegaly can be significantly reduced and indeed restored to that of the normal population by aggressive treatment and reduction of serum growth hormone concentrations to a mean level of less than 2 ng/ml and/or a serum IGF-I within the aged-matched reference range. Thus, rather than using the word cure, it is may be more appropriate to consider an average growth hormone concentration of ? 2 ng/ml as representing a "safe" level. An alternative target suggested at a consensus conference is a nadir level of less than 0.4 ng/ml after a standard 75g glucose tolerance test 42 (Figure 2).
     
    Surgery for Acromegaly Transsphenoidal surgery is the initial treatment of choice for most patients. Originally performed by Harvey Cushing in 1910, the lack of adequate visualisation prevented its reintroduction for routine use until the mid-1970's. With modern equipment and in experienced hands, it is a safe procedure with a low complication rate and mortality of less than 0.5%. The most commonly used approach is with the patient in a semi-reclining position via a mid-line nasal route. Using a sub-labial or direct nasal approach, the mucosa is cleaved off the nasal septum providing access to the sphenoid sinus and subsequent removal of the fossa floor. A less satisfactory alternative approach is via the ethmoidal sinus. Pituitary adenomas are usually soft and easily removed with curettes although firmer and larger tumours may require piecemeal removal. Using this technique, even tumours with a significant suprasellar extension can be removed via the transsphenoidal route, although massive tumours may require a craniotomy. Such transcranial surgery is however associated with increased morbidity and mortality. More recent surgical techniques include the use of intra-operative MRI43 and intra-operative growth hormone measurement44. The development of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery has been reported to offer several advantages over the conventional technique, although is used by only a few surgeons. These include superior tumour clearance, especially suprasellar extension, less surgical morbidity, fewer complications, and reduced post-operative discomfort 45.
     
    The success rate of transsphenoidal surgery depends on several factors: (i) the size of the tumour, (ii) pre-operative growth hormone values and (iii) the skill and experience of the surgeon46;47. Although different series have often used different criteria to determine success rates, in experienced hands post-operative mean growth hormone levels of less than 2 ng/ml should be achieved in 70%-90% of microadenomas and 30%-50% of macroadenomas48,49. Pre-treatment of patients with somatostatin analogues before transsphenoidal surgery results in significant shrinkage (approximately 50%) of the adenoma and may improve the subsequent surgical cure rates50;51. Complications of transsphenoidal surgery include diabetes insipidus; this is usually transient but may be permanent in approximately 5% of cases depending on the criteria for its diagnosis. A serum osmolality of greater than 295 mosmols/l with a simultaneous urine osmolality of less than 150 mosm/l is confirmatory. It responds well to desmopressin (DDAVP, subcutaneous, oral or intranasal). Other complications include CSF rhinorrhoea and subsequent risk of meningitis, although this can be minimised by the use of prophylactic antibiotics. The syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH) may occur around one week post-operatively and needs to be considered in the context of decreased urine output ? such a clinical scenario must be distinguished from hypovolaemia due to insufficient fluids; increasing intravenous fluids for the latter erroneous diagnosis will obviously dramatically worsen SIADH which almost always spontaneously resolves after a short period of fluid restriction.
     
    The major long-term complication associated with transsphenoidal surgery is worsening of anterior pituitary function and hypopituitarism. In a series of 100 patients with acromegaly operated on at St Bartholomew's Hospital, UK, new hypopituitarism occurred in 21% of patients following surgery, but with 35% having hypopituitarism pre-operatively52.
     
     
    More.....
     
    http://www.endotext.org/neuroendo/neuroendo5e/neuroendoframe5e.htm
  10. LilDickens
    Ask your endos office if he/she has a standard letter that you can present if you need to go to the ER or call an ambulance. I have one from my endo though it is designed for how to recognize and treat me for an AI event.
     
    Your endo should be willing to call in some RX's for you while you wait for surgery, whether they are hydro/cortef or something for anxiety like xanax which will reduce your cortisol levels. Have you talked with your doc about this?
     
    If nothing else, you should have a plan from the end for your after care BEFORE you go to surgery. You will need:
     
    - Letter from endo on symptoms of AI and how he wants you treated if you end up in the ER
     
    - Medic bracelet with your name and that you are steroid dependant - admin 100mg cortisol
     
    - Filled Rx for hydro or cortef
     
    - Filled Rx for 2 bottles of solu-cortef (act-o-vial) and 2 syringes
    .....critical that it's the (act-o-vial) formulation because it is designed to have the liquid that reconstitutes the powdered cortisol at the top of the vial and it drops down to make the medicine. The other formulations require you to withdraw liquid from one vial and transfer it to another.....that's too dangerous to ask someone who's in an AI event to physically coordinate that.
     
    I know it's so hard to wait when you're so close to surgery, but hang in there, come chat with us when ever you need us....the lights always on here.
  11. LilDickens
    http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/...35299/pr.3.html
     
     
    "When people with Cushing's syndrome or Cushing's disease have complex dental procedures, they may be at higher risk of infection. They also may be at risk of cardiovascular collapse, in which the heart stops pumping blood.
     
    If you have Cushing's syndrome, it is critical that you tell your dentist or oral surgeon about it before you have any procedures. They also need to know if you are taking a steroid medicine. Your dentist or oral surgeon probably will monitor your blood pressure during the procedure. You also may need to take more steroids than usual before certain dental procedures. The need for extra steroids depends on a variety of factors. This often is coordinated with the primary physician.
    People who take glucocorticoid supplements for a long time are more likely to develop fungal infections in the mouth. This occurs because the drug suppresses the immune system. They may have high blood pressure and have difficulty managing blood sugar levels. Your dentist may want to check for these problems before treatment.
     
    People with Cushing's syndrome may bruise easily and may bleed more than normal during dental procedures. Wound healing can be delayed by multiple factors. These may include suppression of the immune system and poor clotting of the blood. "
     
    Thank you SAL
  12. LilDickens
    MaryO posted this the other day. Very interesting and may be helpful for you to bring to the doc.
     
    4 Ways to Diagnose Cushing's Syndrome
     
     
    1. Common Signs
    A physical exam is often the first step in a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Several physical signs indicate the syndrome. Your doctor will look for a hump in your back between the shoulders. People with Cushing's syndrome often have a rounded face, and they may have excess facial hair. The face may also be flushed or have purple marks across it similar to stretch marks. A blood pressure reading will also be taken. High blood pressure is often a symptom of the syndrome, as well as depression and anxiety. Help your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis by providing a thorough medical history.
     
    2. The 24-Hour Test
    In people with Cushing's syndrome, the adrenal gland produces too much of the hormone cortisol. Doctors can monitor your levels of cortisol in both blood and urine. You may be instructed to collect urine for a 24-hour period and to submit blood samples to check for increased hormone levels. Your doctor will also look at your blood-sugar levels since Cushing's syndrome can also cause diabetes. Your doctor will have you do the urine test many times, then prescribe a medication to alter the cortisol levels in your body. You will repeat the urine test to determine if the medication has changed the hormone levels accordingly.
     
    3. It's in the Saliva
    A saliva test is another option to help diagnose Cushing's syndrome. You will most likely be asked to collect a sample late in the evening before bed. Normally, cortisol levels are highest in the morning and fall throughout the day. In people with Cushing's syndrome, the hormone levels are high all the time. By collecting a sample late in the evening, your doctor can see if levels are still high.
     
    4. CT Scans Aid in Diagnosis
    Because the problem may be with the adrenal gland, a CT scan or an MRI can help determine a correct diagnosis. The scan can give your health-care provider a look at your internal organs. A CT scan can detect tumors that may be affecting the adrenal gland and causing the increase in cortisol production. Several symptoms of Cushing's syndrome can be similar to other
  13. LilDickens
    In case you didnt see my bio on the main Cushings page I decided to place it here:
     
    March 2009
     
    I was diagnosed in 1995 with hypothyroidism, after the birth of my son vie C section. This was my third Cesarean section. I knew I was gaining too much weight during pregnancy but no one would listen to me. I've had hypo for fourteen years now, with ongoing difficulties and no weight loss.
     
    I became suspicious when I couldn't get my thyroid disease under control and started moon facing. In 2003 my daughter noticed my buffalo hump. I tried to point it out to the doctor but to no avail. Said it was fat. I was tired, depressed and sick.
     
    I have to note that when I was a child I cracked my skull open. My sister said I had clamps on my head. I cannot find anything else about it. I had severe headaches, poor appetite, skinny and fearful. Many emotional problems. I came home from school many times to have ice packs on my head for the headaches. I started to drink alcohol at about 13 yrs old, becoming an alcoholic until age 33. 20 years of drinking! I am now sober 18 yrs.
     
    I am pursuing a diagnose for Cushing disease based on my symptoms and the huge hump on my neck. I've been really complaining for the last two years.
     
    My newest PCP was the one who gave me a copy of a printout on Cushings. She is sending me to an Endo but who knows. 3 1/2 month wait to see Endo. Now, wouldn't you know it, my hubby's job looks like its going to be terminated in March, so my insurance will only be in for two months after that! I'll be without insurance!
     
     
    September 2009
     
    I'm now in the process of testing after going through 2 more Endos and meeting a great Endo in Maysville, KY> Dr Holmes. "Wonderful, Good doctor "as we'd say in PA! I had went to one Endo here in PA and had two UFC24 test done and I showed high, but he just asked if I was stressed and sent me to Hershey. I heard Hershey Medical wasn't very good for Cushies so I moved on to KY. I'm so glad I took the time and the money to go there. I will never regret that. It saved my life!
     
    I feel so fortunate. Dr Holmes ordered more testing which I am doing now, and he looked over a Pituitary MRI which I obtained from the other Endo. Dr Holmes disagrees with the radiologist that my MRI was normal. BTW, my husband got another job that uses the same Union Insurance!
    I also have high GFI-1. He said I might have an Acromegaly.
     
     
     
    Dec 2009
     
    I am now diagnosed with Cushings and Acromegally. At this present time I have chosen my surgeon and am waiting for his approval for surgery and set a date to meet with him.
     
    All of this testing and paperwork is time consuming and a lot of patients is needed. I am diagnosed during the holidays and this is really a slow process with many delays.
     
    My symptoms are many, including that horrid buffalo hump. I feel really sick sometimes, and bloated like I am going to exploded. I have extreme fatigue. I also feel during my lows like I am just going to die, with waves of dizziness and a huge general weakness that I can hardly turn over in my bed. I thank God that I do not hurt. I am just stiff in the knees and I can't get up very well from a squat or from sitting too long. My emotional state is awful, from rages to deep depression.
     
    I suffer/suffered from TMJ ,Depression, Mood Swings, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (2)with surgery, Weight gain, Headaches and Vertigo- dizziness, hypo adolsterone,teary right eye, Teeth gapping, Cavities, infected Root Canals, Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's Disease, Tonsillectomy, Costochondritis, Heart Murmur, Tortuous Aorta- a twisted heart valve, shortness of breath, Tennis Elbow, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dysentery, Impotency, lost periods, Osteopenia, Ovarian Cysts, 3 C sections, Joint stiffness, chronic rectal itching, Hemorrhoids, Heel Spurs, Ganglion foot cyst, MRSA.
     
    I am very afraid of the Acromegally. I have changed sizes. I was a petite 10, I am now a size 22. I do believe I have gained height by 1?1 ? inches. My wedding rings size has changed twice and now I can no longer wear them. I suffer chest pains from Costochondritis- inflammation of the rib bone area. As the days go by without treatment, I swear I can feel the damage that is being done to my organs. I suffered terrible dental problems with major infections and I also had an awful infection in my foot from a minor injection for a cyst. I ended up with surgery to clean out MRSA and had two areas of incision! I also show a twisted Aorta valve, which I feel is from Acromegally.
     
    I succeeded in obtaining my diagnose of Cushings Disease with Acromegally from Doctor Holmes through UFC tests (Urine) and blood work for IGF-1, CRH testing, and Glucose Suppression Tests. Salvia testing didn't work for me. I feel I have problems with my saliva in general, perhaps a malady not yet diagnosed, but nevertheless is present. I was tested once with saliva that proved I had a very low acidic value, and the comment from the lab was " could be due to cortisol excess!" 5 years before I was diagnosed with Cushings! I am now waiting to meet my surgeon , DrJho and set up a surgery date.
     
     
     
    This site is invaluable to anyone suffering. The amount of information can be overwhelming because it is so plentiful. The forum is wonderful. Up to date information, wonderful people who give help , information; support and Hope!
     
    12/09
  14. LilDickens
    DrJHO's site has a good write up on Tumors
     
    http://drjho.com/pituitary_surgery.htm
     
    I am keeping this as a reminder of Acromegaly- a functioning tumor
     
    "Benign pituitary adenomas can be divided into nonfunctioning tumors and functioning tumors depending on the capability of tumor cells to produce hormones. Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas do not produce active hormones by themselves. Nonfunctioning tumors mechanically compress surrounding structures such as normal pituitary gland and optic system. Functioning pituitary adenomas produce a hormone(s) in excess. Excess amount of hormone produced by tumor cells cause symptoms dependent on the type of hormone. Functioning pituitary adenomas include prolactinomas (PRL overproduction), adenomas that cause Cushing's disease (ACTH overproduction), adenomas that cause gigantism or acromegaly (GH overproduction), and TSH-producing tumors."
     
  15. LilDickens
    Borrowed from another poster...Article from Dr F on Iron
     
     
    "My endo, Dr F., puts his patients on an OTC product called, Iron Sorb. I have zero GI symptoms.!!!!
     
    Initially my ferritin was at 10 and is now reliably at 70-80. That's the level you want to keep it at.
     
    Here's the white paper he's written for his patients and docs to read. It will give you specific instructions on how many iron sorb pills to take a day depending on your current ferritin level. Also a link to the product and how frequently you should retest your level. It makes a huge difference when it gets to the right range!!!"
     
    http://www.goodhormonehealth.com/symptoms/...atigueaug06.pdf
  16. LilDickens
    Symptoms due to excess growth hormone or IGF-I vary widely. Increase in ring size or tightness of rings (due to hand swelling, "sausage-like" fingers) Increase in shoe size (due to foot swelling) Increased sweating Coarsening or thickening of facial features, especially the nose Increased prominence of jaw and/or forehead Thickened skin, especially on palms of hands or soles of feet Oily skin or acne Swelling of tongue Thickening or swelling of the neck (due to goiter) Arthritis (pain, swelling, or stiffness in any joint) Difficulty breathing during sleep (sleep apnea), causing poor sleep and excessive sleepiness during the day Pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in hands and wrists (carpal tunnel syndrome) New overbite, underbite, or spreading out of teeth Large numbers of skin tags Acromegaly that affects the heart or blood pressure or causes diabetes may have another set of symptoms. These do not occur in everyone with acromegaly. Irritability Fatigue Fainting Weakness Increased thirst or urination Shortness of breath Chest pain Palpitations or rapid heart beat Poor exercise tolerance
  17. LilDickens
    As I sat in the ER room waiting for a DX, a Dr was going over my health history, a short qiuck intro to my extended health issues. You could see the dismay in his eye that he had yet another case to deal with. My Family doctor didn't come to the hospital so I was adopted by the physicans on staff. I started to tell him about the high cortisols I've been showing and how I mighthave Cushings. Right away he jumped on me, and with his foriegn accent he said " no, no, why you say this?" I showed him my hump and he said "yes, and..." He said where's the straites? I showed him those. He still didn't believe me and started arguing that Cushings is very rare. We were distracted by a nursing coming in to start my IV and the argument was dropped. I was trying to make a point that I did not want ANY Steroids given to me. What an attitude we as patients get when we know a little bit more thatn the average "Joe."
     
     
    Just for the sake of it all, I copied and pasted my story here of what happened to me.
    It's not been easy.
     
    FOOT INFECTION
     
    Wow, where do I begin?I?ve went away last Weds, July 8th. It was going to be a nice trip?was. My daughter began labor the Monday before , but she never brought forth our grandson, so they induced her labor on Thursday, July 9th. Ok, that was all going smoothly. I gathered up my demented mother , our forteen yr old son and myself to travel 3 ? hrs away to be there for this grand event. The trip was to be uneventful; we arrived at our motel late but happy.
    In the morning, we got up, dressed ourselves and timed it out that we?d be there at the hospital to celebrate the birth of Krystian Layne?. Needless to say we hopped in the car at the motel, and the car wouldn?t start. So disappointed, and after many attempts (someone even giving us a battery jump) I called the service hotline to see what they could do. Meanwhile, my daughter called, and with a wimper in her voice, she asked ?where are ya, ma? ? ? it hurts? Oh, my, my heart went out to her.
     
    Service came an hour later, and we were on our way. No, we weren?t. The car would not stay running. I had a clutch, and with some fancy foot work, I low geared, and charged the car up to the service dealer, stalling several times. So the dealer took the car in to check it out but they had absolutely no loaner cars, and even the transport car was gone. They had one lone driver but no vehicle. Hearing our delemia, he jumped at the chance to help us out?so he came around the corner in his own personal vehicle to get us to the hospital, hopefully on time? and we did!!!! . Kyrstian was born 7lbs 7oz 20 ?? long. Beautiful little boy; beautiful full head of dark hair. Mom is doing great, too. But this isn?t the end of my story.
     
    My foot started hurting that day, from a previous time that a ganglion cyst had developed and was being treated with injections by a local Podiatrist for the pain it gave me; His proticol called for 6 of these injections, 2 weeks apart. Make a note that the area turned red and itchy the next day, I called and the Doctor said this was normal. My foot hurt all week, but I felt that I was in treatment and needed to be paitent.
     
    The pain intensified by late evening, to a point that I decided to go to the local ER for some relief/treatment. I dragged out my momma, my son and I about midnight, only to be there for about three hours, not yet even seeing a doctor. I sat in the hall way of triage, and wouldn?t get any further. I signed myself out and called a local Foot Care Center in the morning. The good Dr. drained my now abcessed, infected foot, and prescribed an antibiotic and pain meds. I was so intensly sick . I layed over at the motel for another day, over extending our trip in time and finances, because I got so down. I had a fever, vomiting and my foot turned red, and I could?t drive home for the pain I was in. I called the local doc but he told me I needed to be on the antibiotic for 48 hours; to hang in there.
    Early Sunday morning I got off the hard narcotics and took Ibprofen every two hours so I could drive the 3 ? trip home. The car after a few no starts, ran good, but traffic was terrible on the turnpike for a Sunday night.
     
    As soon as I got home to Greencastle, PA, my husband took one look at me and said ?let?s go.? My foot, ankle and leg ( up to the knee ) had turned red; pus and blood ran out of the needle hole where the aspiration had taken place earlier. I was admitted, and had emergency surgery on my foot at 10:30pm, with general annistheia. I was immediately put on several antibiotics vie IV and as I was wheeled into the Operation Room, I reacted to one of the antibiotics and they had to immediately give me Benedryl.The new foot doctor made two incisions to drain and clean the wound and packed both. As I write I am in the hospital with IV antibiotics ( 2 different kinds), awaiting a report on the culture to see what kind of infection it was. I might have to stay until Weds.
     
     
    Weds= I am now home on Weds night with a staph/MRSA infection. Needless to say I?m not very happy.
  18. LilDickens
    Pittsburgh bound travelers
    My family is staying at Allegheny Center in Pittsburgh, PA ( thanks to Gracia)
     
    http://www.alleghenycenter.com/apartments/
     
    They rent studio apts by the day, three day minimium. I paid $75 for a completely furnished with King size bed. Linens, pots, pans, everything!
    You can also rent Bigger apts for $85 and up. No taxes, they are not a hotel.
     
    Parking is $3.50 a night; everything is secured. They shuttle twice an hour to/from Allegheny Hospital (dont know for how long a day,till about 9 pm)
     
    They are two blocks from the hospital!
  19. LilDickens
    Results 6 weeks Post Op ITT Test at Allegheny General
    Wow, I was really low in somethings (noted in Blue)!
    ACTH 23--------------------------10-48
     
    Creatine .74-------------------------.70-1.50
     
    Sodium 141--------------------------134-142
     
    Potassium 4.0------------------------3.5-5.00
     
    Chloride 108-------------------------98-107
     
    Calcium 8.7-------------------------8.4-10.3
     
    Estradoil <5-----------------------------<40
     
    Folic Acid 16.4 ----------------------3.5-16.1
     
    FSH 23.2------------------------------20-138
     
    FT4 .446------------------------------0.7-1.9
     
    Ft3 2.21---------------------------1.76-3.78
     
    IGF-1 243----------------------------65-225
     
    LH 11.7----------------------------15.0-62.0
     
    Parathyroid hormone Intact 68.8 ------- 11-68
     
    Parathyroid calcium 9.1--------------- 8.4-10.3
     
    Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 15.9 --- 20-100
     
    T Uptake 1.18 --------------------- 0.66-1.27
    TSH 11.820-----------------------0.40-4.00
     
    Testostrone,S 8 -------------------------- 6-82
     
    Testostrone, free 0.3 ------------------- 0.0-2.22
     
    Total T3 76 ---------------------------104-260
     
    Total T4 2.6 ------------------------- 4.5-12.0
     
    B12 558 ------------------------------- 200-900
     
    ITT Test Cortisol Serum- Timed 8am ^........10.5, 13.3, 18.3, 20.4, 23.1, 21.7 ------ 7-25 range
     
    ITT Test- GH Timed- 8am^---------------------.0.09, 1.47 , 5.59, 8.47, 3.86, 1.02 --- >10
     
    ITT Test- Glucose Timed- 8am ^--------------- 89, 25, 34, 50, 74, 84---------- 70-99 range
  20. LilDickens
    I am going to borrow this from one of our members. She hadn't slept for 2 years. To make a long story short, she found out that using Predisone instead of Cortef worked for her. It is stronger and from what I understand, longer lasting.....
    She is post op for 2 years.
     
    Hello All,
    Great news, I started taking a Prednisone at night before I go to bed, and wonder of wonders its working. I have slept, although I wake up a couple of times at night, for the last 4 nights. I had tried the Cortef before bed, as Dr. F suggested and it didn't work, but the Prednisone does. I guess with it being stronger, it does the trick. I am soo glad. It feels so much better to be able to sleep and feel like I have slept the next morning. Maybe this will help any body else who has the same problem. "removed for privacy"
  21. LilDickens
    Pathological Report :
     
    A.) Pituitary Adenoma
    B.) Pituitary Tissue
     
    Stained for the following :
    ACTH: Neg
    GH:Positive
    FSH:Neg
    TSH:Neg
     
     
    A.) A Pituitary Mass consisting of 4 fragments sizing from 0.1 to 0.2 cm. Soft tan pink friable tissue
    B.) A Pituitary Mass consists of seven portions of tan red tissue , varying from 0.2 to 0.7cm in the greatest dimensions
  22. LilDickens
    Hi All!
     
    Yes, I am sitting up in my room at 4 oclock in the morning hungery ( so I ordered a snack!) I got a real big delicious turkey sandwich and a side of applesauce. I am in heaven!
     
    Surgery went really well. I had a long wait in the pre-op, from 7:30 am until my actual surgery at noon. I then had difficulties after surgery; they forgot to give me anti-nausea medication, and I was sick and flinging around ( I dont remember) and cut my hand. I wonder if this could have been a cortisol crash? I went to surgery at noon and didnt get to my room until 5 pm. Crash post op?
     
    I had to stay in post op longer because they then couldnt get me awake from the meds. I missed seeing the doctor, so I don't have a lot to report. He got the tumor out and now we wait on labs to see if it was a successful surgery! The procedure went well and I am feeling pretty good! I do feel the "Cushings Pressure " is off me, and I do hope and pray it will be permantly gone. Immediately I see the hard tummy bloating is down and my face is softer. I had a tremendous hump ache when I got up here, it was awful. My hump on my neck hurt like a sore tooth, and that is what I recieved pain meds for, not for a headache ( as supposed for the surgery area). I had a very very mild headache at the front of my skull, but soon went away.
     
    I do have DI for now, they put me on a medicine and it stopped immediately ( I will ask for the other testing for this , Thanks) My sodium level was ok coming out of post op, but I didnt hear how the last blood draw faired. The nurse just came in for a draw to check sodium and all here at 4 am.
     
    I also have a nasal drip but not a problem at all. It is expected. Bringing Puffs (as suggested) was a great idea. Internet is good here. Wont let me on facebook, and just signs out a few times on its own but I log right back in!
     
    DrJho is well thought of here..everyone says he is picky, the whole nursing staff on this floor knows his routine to a T. He prepares his patients well in advance and uses two Operating rooms to work with, maintaining a production line of sorts. One is operated on , one is in the next room ready to go. He keeps all his people on thier toes. They really like him. I think I have the best Surgeon for this in the USA!
     
    Thank you for all your prayers! God is so good, He takes care of His own!
     
     
    With heartfelt gratitude for all of you,
     
     
    Kim
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