Admin ~AnnOuncement~ Posted February 7, 2008 Admin Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 TONIGHT! Join Alicia (medcats10), a Cushing's Message Board member who is still testing. This show will be at 7:30PM (note later time!) Alicia writes: "I first started feeling like something was wrong with me about my Junior year in college in 2000. I started gaining quite a bit of weight, 40lbs in 6 months, and I was tired a lot. I also was getting a lot of infections, strep throat, mono, etc. Around the end of my Junior year, probably one of the worst things that could have happened during my 8 years of illness happened, I had severe psychiatric symptoms at school, including psychosis, and was put on a ?students in crisis? plan and sent home for a little while. Being diagnosed as a ?psych patient? would delay my diagnosis for years, most doctors just considered me "crazy." Prior to this time I had weighed approximately 125lbs, was a competitive swimmer, played intramural softball and water-polo, worked as an athletic trainer, attended a private college, and was preparing to go to medical school. I was living life in the fast lane, and it all came to a screeching halt, life would never be the same again. During my Senior year I decided that it was not a good time to pursue medical school with everything going on, so I applied to Graduate School back home in Arizona. I moved back to Phoenix near my parents and went to school at night pursuing my Masters in Social Work, while working with Autistic children in the school system during the day. During this time I ballooned up to the heaviest I had ever been 180lbs, and took constant criticism from my family about what I was eating and how much I was exercising. I got so tired of hearing ?do you really need a second helping? , even though I wasn't eating any more than I used to eat when I was an athlete, that I hardly went to family dinners any more. I was still getting sick a lot. I caught every cold and flu, especially since I worked in the schools. I also struggled during this time with severe psychiatric symptoms, probably the worst ever in my life. I saw multiple doctors during this time, sometimes due to changing insurances, and sometimes because doctors didn?t believe me or wouldn?t order tests. I was told many times that ?nothing was wrong? with me, even though I knew that there was something seriously wrong with my body. I then finished my Masters and went to work for Phoenix Children?s Hospital as a medical Social Worker. I loved my job and worked there for about 4 years, but it was long hours, and I was on my feet all day, which I paid for every night! The job was stressful, and emotional, but it was still a great fit for me. Over time I eventually decided that it was time for me to reapply to medical schools, because working in the Children?s Hospital had reminded me of my love of medicine. I was accepted into the class of 2009 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. At that time I was my heaviest weight ever, 205lbs, I could hardly do any of the activities I used to do. Sports were definitely out of the question, walking down the street was even difficult. I started out doing ok at school. But fairly quickly it was evident that I was not performing at the level I was used to. I couldn?t quite figure out why. I just thought I couldn?t ?cut it? in Medical School, I would later learn that my failing memory and cognititive skills were to blame. I was seeing the Campus Health doctor quite frequently, for respiratory problems, for infections, and finally I brought up my list of symptoms. She sent me to a Rheumatologist, they did a complete work up for lupus and everything was negative, so my doctor pretty much dismissed my symptoms. During my second year of school I had meningitis, and pneumonia twice during the same year, and was suffering from debilitating migraines. At this time I had done some research on my own and had some things I had learned from school, and I had kind of come to the conclusion for the first time, that I might have Cushing?s. I asked my doctor about this, and she told me that I ?didn?t look Cushing?s.? At this time I weighed about 235lbs, had a red, round face, had lost a lot of my hair, and had a laundry list of other symptoms. After weeks of asking, she finally did order one 8:00am serum cortisol test. It came back normal, so she told me I didn?t have Cushing?s. At that time, I made the very difficult decision to take a medical leave of absence from school. This gave me two years to return to school if I decided to, because they would hold a spot for me. However, finances got really tight paying for medical bills, because once the end of the term was over I no longer had insurance through the school. So I decided to go back to work. I actually got a job with the College of Medicine on a grant project with the Family and Community Medicine program as a Social Worker for a clinic for adults with disabilities, which is where I am currently working. Since the job is with the College of Medicine I made an incredibly difficult decision to completely withdraw from medical school. Which means if I ever want to go back to medical school I have to start all over. Well, I got new insurance with the new job, and since it is a state job it is really good insurance, so I got to try out a whole new set of doctors. The first one I went to came highly recommended, but one of the first things he asked me was not about my symptoms, but if he could call me ?FAT.? Then after listening to my symptoms and to my thoughts about Cushing?s he then proceeded to tell me that all I really needed was a ?good psychiatrist.? I went home and cried and needless to say, I did not go back to him. Prior to that time I had found the Cushing?s Help-Support Boards, and I was steered towards making an appointment with Dr. F. I also found a new PCP at the clinic where I work that was amazing. I went to L.A. to meet Dr. F in the middle of January, and while I don?t have any of the test results back, I was so thankful for the opportunity. I felt so validated, and welcome there. Dr. F told me that he was almost 100% sure that I had Cushing?s just based on my report of my symptoms, my medical records, and my exam. I am still waiting for my MRI and lab results back from my trip, but now I am actually looking forward to the future with hope instead of dread. Even though I now weigh 250lbs, can barely walk, am fatigued all of the time, my cognitive abilities have severely declined, and my vision is poor, at least I am still able to work, and my psychiatric symptoms are pretty much stable and under control. I am hoping that by this time next year I will be on the path towards recovery!" Join Alicia Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 7:30 PM Eastern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staticnrg Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 To listen, just click the "BlogtalkRadio" picture in the above post. You don't have to use an iPod or download anything. You can listen on your computer live (during the show) or later by clicking that link. Alicia, I can't wait!! Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staticnrg Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 WOOHOO!!! Alicia, you were FANTASTIC!!!!! Thank you SO MUCH!!!!! Hugs! Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts rooon55 Posted February 8, 2008 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Hi ya folks, I want to comment on Alicia's Pod Cast tonight.................It was Awesome! What a story to tell.................What an incredibly awful disease this is Hugs, Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staticnrg Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Alicia's story is one everyone should hear. It really is eye-opening. To listen, click the button below: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fibroBeck Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Alicia, Thank you for sharing your story. It was great to hear you share your battle to be heard and treated. I believe many are in the same situation you were, dismissed because of an initial diagnosis and an dealing with a doctors unwillingness to look beyond preformed ideas. Thank you, also to Robin and Mary for their work to get the word out about Cushings! Great broadcase, Becky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts Lisa-A Posted February 8, 2008 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Anthony is downloading all of them this weekend for me to have on my trip to Mayo, it has been hard to wait!!! This is one of the treats to get me through all of the travel, worry and testing. I feel like I am taking you guys with me in a way. I know it sounds dorky, but Y'all mean the world to me! XO Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts MemberGone Posted February 8, 2008 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I got interrupted and didn't get to finish listening to the interview, but what I did hear was just great. I wanted to thank Robin and MaryO for setting this venue up, and Alicia for sharing her story tonight. (Alicia - glad you found us!!) It was great to put a "voice" to her posts! (and Robin, thanks too for explaining that all we have to do is click on the link you provided and that we don't have to download anything) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judycolby Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I'll listen to it tomorrow. Were going to listen to it at the health fair but needed a code to get into the colleges wireless internet! So we couldn't listen then bu will tomorrow. Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medcats10 Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Thanks guys, it was a really hard subject for me to talk about, but I really enjoyed doing the radio show, and if it helps someone else towards getting a diagnosis then it was worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts radtravler Posted February 8, 2008 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I haven't listened yet, but will this weekend. Lisa - I think that is a great idea. Denise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojo3 Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Alicia - Thank you for sharing your story with us. You have had a long difficult struggle and should be commended for all that you have accomplished in your life so far. You have a a beautiful smile and are an inspiration to all of us. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club HeatherKY Posted February 8, 2008 Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Great job, Alicia! Thank you for sharing. It was courageous of you (and all of our voice chat participants) to be so candid about your experiences. Thanks to MaryO and Robin for putting the shows together, too! Hugs, Heather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judycolby Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 That was great!!! Alicia, I'm sure it was hard to relive certain portions of your life. But I suspect that someone will recognize themselves amd become more persistant in getting answers. Great job all three of you. Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mertie Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Alicia, Thank you so much for sharing your story. I just listened to it and it absolutely made me cry to hear what you have gone through. I'm so sorry for all you've been through. I've mentioned before that my SIL had Cushing's symptoms, but was treated as a bi-polar patient for many years. She went through hell. She had a weight problem, severe anxiety, and diabetes insipidus, among many other suspicious symptoms. She died 2 yrs ago, the result of long term treatment with Lithium. I found out about Cushing's shortly after her death and wish I'd known about it before so that I might have been able to help her. Back then, I really thought doctors knew what they were doing and just followed their advice blindly. What a difference a few years makes. What a difference education and awareness makes. Mary and Robin, thank you for all the work you put into these podcasts. I pray that anyone who has a bi-polar relative or friend will consider that maybe, just maybe, there might be another explanation. Hopefully this podcast will make people stop and think. You are all awesome. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted June 23, 2008 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 Alicia returns for a Second Interview, just after her Social Security Disability Medical Screening, June 26, 7:30PM. Alicia writes "But my life has changed significantly since my last interview, and I could talk about losing my job and applying for Social Security at such a young age. And the issues about self-esteem tied to career, and risk of depression and isolation. Let me know...will be right after my disability medical screening, I should have lots to talk about!" The Call-In number is (646) 200-0162. Alicia's archived interview from February 7, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted June 27, 2008 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Alicia's chat transcript is up Enjoy! Thanks, Alicia and best of luck with your disability process! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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