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I think I have Cushing's Syndrome?

I am 20 years old. I have had signs and symptoms, worsening, over the past 3 years or so. It began around 17 when I gained a lot of weight. I was 130, now 220. I have moon face, striae on abdomen, acanthosis nigricans on neck and armpits, neck has skin tags, a bad buffalo hump, hypertension, fungal infections on body especially on my face, extreme sweating, irregular menstruation, weakness/pain in back and knees, central obesity (my stomach/abdomen is always bloated), high blood pressure (which I have been on medication since 17 when I gained this weight and was classified as 'obese'). I have depression and anxiety and a lot of confusion most days. The doctor has me at risk for diabetes. He is sending me to an endocrinologist and I should have an appointment in a month. Previously last year, he did a 24 urine test with no results. As much as I do not want to be diagnosed with anything bad, I hope this is what I have. I want a solution. This has ruined my life and made me dislike myself. Do anybody think this sounds like Cushing's Syndrome?
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree with Red_Star that insulin resistance can be reversed... I reversed mine, too.  In addition, hypothyroidism can be treated, if you have that, as can Cushing's... You just need to get tested adequately.  

Diet plays a huge part in insulin resistance, as well the inflammation process.

I'm appalled that your doctor simply refuses to do any tests, making you continue to suffer while you wait for the endo appointment.

If you're in the U.S., you are entitled to copies of your records, including lab and diagnostic tests; your should always ask for copies of them, although most doctors now, have patient portals through which you can access test results.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
You might have this condition. I thought I had Cushing's myself and my endo did numerous tests to rule it out. I had to research why I had these symptoms as my endo was perplexed to what was causing my very enlarged buffalo hump. I first thought I might have cyclical Cushings (see the website Cushings Moxie which is very informative) but in the end I found the cause was chronically high insulin (insulin resistance). High insulin caused a long list of symptoms including acanthosis nigricans and central obesity (my waist to hip ratio was 0.97). My moon face was due to untreated hypothyroidism.
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2 Comments
Can you get cured of these things? That is my biggest fear. I want to feel and look more “normal” someday.
Yes I reversed my insulin resistance. A good article to read is by Lara Briden: Reverse Insulin Resistance in 4 Easy Steps. I am also taking thyroxine for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I still have the buffalo hump and acanthosis nigricans unfortunately. The hump looks a bit smaller I think.
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your symptoms may be indicative of Cushings; however, you may have more than one thing going.  It's also possible that you may have hypothyroidism and/or diabetes.

Have you had any blood tests done at all?  If not, do you know why doctor hasn't started testing in order to get some results to take to the endo?  There's no reason s/he couldn't get started now, to save some time.

If you've had any blood tests, please post results and reference ranges as that would be helpful for us to tell what your status might be.

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3 Comments
I have had a few tests done, but my doctor thinks the endo can do more ‘accurate tests’, as for everything else, the only thing showing on my blood tests is inflammation in the blood somewhere in my body.
Just because results might be within so-called "normal" ranges, doesn't mean they're normal for you.  What test is showing inflammation in the body?  

Can you tell me what test have been done, then I can tell you if they're useful or not.

Your primary doctor can order any test the endo can order.  Accuracy has nothing to do with who orders the tests or is he saying he doesn't know which tests to order?
I apologize, I’m not sure. I don’t have records of anything - only my doctor does. He told me multiple blood tests showed inflammation but he couldn’t rule out what from. He isn’t doing any tests and just letting the endo do it.
Avatar universal
I forgot to mention... I also have bad headaches and migraines in my upper sinuses. Behind my eyes.
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649848 tn?1534633700
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