You already know (if you have been reading each blog consecutively) that I have an adenoma in my pituitary and I also have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). I have known about this for awhile and I am being treated for these already. But my question to the doctor on friday was whether she thought that I might have "Cushing's Syndrome or Disease."
Now, how did I come up with this syndrome out of nowhere? Well, I was just browsing through Facebook and you know how there's always news links that come up? Like with accidents, murders, etc? Well, this article came up about a man that was 400+ pounds and was diagnosed with a tumor in his pituitary gland. He ended up getting it removed and was starting to lose weight and becoming more active and so on and so forth. I was like, "Wow, that's awesome. Definitely someone I can look up to." But then there was a section underneath the article that had articles that were similar or related to that story. And one of the stories was, "A telling sign that you might have Cushing's Syndrome." And there was a picture with a lady and a hump on her upper back. I was like, "WHOA! Wait, I have that." What the heck? I have always complained about having this small hump on my upper back between my shoulder blades. I never had this until I started gaining so much weight. I just thought it was because I have such big boobs and it made me lean forward all the time and it caused a hump. I have never complained to a doctor about this and I've only complained to Nam about it. If you look at me, you wont be able to tell unless I tell you it's there. (Now don't be trying to look for it the next time you see me, cause if I catch you staring at my upper back, imma know why you looking. Uh huh. I see you! haha)
Well, after googling it, WebMd'ing it, and searching images of it; I really started to think that I might have it. I know I shouldn't be trying to self-diagnosing myself through WebMD, but I couldn't help it! So, I did the right thing and asked my doctor instead of going crazy and wondering if I had it or not. After I asked her to check my back, she did say that she saw what I was talking about. She said this was not her specialty and that she would have to send me to someone else for it. But she did say that she can talk to someone and see if we could run any tests now and get the ball rolling before I can see an Endocrinologist for it. I told her that would be great if that were possible. She went to speak with someone and came back and we agreed to do a 24 hour urine test. The collection will be sent to Mayo and then results sent back after a few days. We will go from there after we get the results. There are so many things that could happen or not happen. I just want to know. Knowing is half the battle right? Hopefully it's negative, but if it's not then we will find a way to fix this. I will not give up hope and I will not give up on my life. I have a beautiful family to spend the rest of my days with!
So, please help say a prayer with me and let's hope that this is nothing that I can't handle.
**PCOS is defined by WebMD as:
a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it isn't treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts 
on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.
on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.
Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger many different processes, including growth and energy production. Often, the job of one hormone is to signal the release of another hormone.
For reasons that are not well understood, in PCOS the hormones get out of balance. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. For example:
- The sex hormones get out of balance. Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens. This may cause you to stopovulating, get acne, and grow extra facial and body hair.
- The body may have a problem using insulin, called insulin resistance. When the body doesn't use insulin well, blood sugar levels go up. Over time, this increases your chance of getting diabetes.
The cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but genetics may be a factor. PCOS seems to run in families, so your chance of having it is higher if other women in your family have it or have irregular periodsor diabetes. PCOS can be passed down from either your mother's or father's side.
Symptoms tend to be mild at first. You may have only a few symptoms or a lot of them. The most common symptoms are:
- Acne.
- Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
- Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
- Thinning hair on the scalp.
- Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
- Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have troublegetting pregnant (infertility).
- Depression.
"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Symptoms, Cause, and Treatment." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.
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