The Endo is testing me for Cushings due to the fact that he does not believe I have PCOS.
Yes..I do not have all the symptoms but I also do not think I have cushings either..I visited the cushings support site and I do not have all the symptoms of cushings either.
I am scheduled for blood test and urine on friday..will they tell if I have PCOS or Cushings..I hope they figure me out soon..
this is so frustrating..
I went through this also and was given a Cortisol Stim Test. I do have PCOS, not Cushings.
__________________ married since 8-26-2000, together for 8 years.
ME: 27
DH: 27
DS: 7
DC(CAT): Rusty Ocean
Finally Diagnosed with PCOS in Oct. of 2003
Currently on Prenatals since Nov. of 2003.
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Angel Baby~4-14-04 ectopic pregnancy.
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I have wondered myself if I have both.... I have PCOS for sure dx 4 yrs ago... but also some big reasons to be checked for cushings; I get cortizone shots monthly, buffalo hump, bruise easily.... but I am without my own health insurance at the moment. I only have insurance from a car accident I was in.
I know it can be exasperating with the docs running a lot of tests but better safe than sorry. Make sure he is open to both PCOS and Cushings tho... Cushings is much easier to diagnose than PCOS so that should be easy enough. I believe cushings is easier to treat too... but dont quote me on that
Good luck either way! It is an uphill battle..... My thoughts are with you!
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~Heather~
Mommy through the miracle of adoption to Christian (4 1/2!!).
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Poe-I'm so glad your being tested.Cushings,like pcos presents differently in everyone. It is unnecessary and unlikely to have all the symptoms to have the disease.Your testing on Friday is probobly just the beginning .It can be hard to dx because in the beginning stages it can be hard to catch cushings in the act.Your levels can cycle up and down and you have to catch them up to prove cushings.You may very well have cushings and pcos as cushings can cause pcos symptoms.that may be why it seems to fit you better.Odds are good though that you will not have an immediate answer.The urine test is a 24 hours worth of pee that you have to keep refriderated,so if you go Friday to get it you will not turn in untill Monday.Even if your cortisol comes back normal,if your oh corticosteroids are raised that is considered by some to be a precurser to full blown cushings.
justred-If that was the only test you had to rule out cushings,and you have any reason to think you may have it,you need more tests.The stim test you mentioned is to test for adrenal function for locah.It sees how your adrenals respond to the test.Even if that came out normal,it really doesnt prove much.You would also need the 24 hour urine tesing which shows cortisol levels over a 24 hour period.Cushings can also come from the pituitary gland or an ectopic source .If none of this was tested it should not have been ruled out.
sotired-Your name says it all.Is there any way to get aide for insurance?You sound like you need to see if theres an option thats not cortisone.The buffalo hump is extremely distictive to cushings.Cushings can also be induced by medical use of steroids.Has the person giving you the shots been told of the bruising and buffalo hump?You,more than the rest of us,need to look into this further.Cushings is a progressive disease that will ony get worse untreated.I'm not posative,but I believe that when it is steroid induced cushings,it can be reversed by finding alternatives for the steroids.You may want to research this.
Cushings is hard do diagnose,and hard to treat sometimes when it is.Be patient with your testing.Cushings is a hormone ride from h-ll.Good luck to you all,and let me know if I can help with anything.
Amber
bethers,
A buffalo hump is a fat pad between your shoulder blades up towards your neck.Oeople with cushings lose the ability to burn fat.This results in the hump,increased fat in the face(moonface) and a thicker neck.You also store fat around your stomach.Sound familiar It's why I feel its very important for alot of pcosers to have it ruled out.They can be similar in alot of ways,but the treatment is different.
Amber
Sharon~
Amber is correct in all that she has shared about Cushing's. I wanted to add that you are very lucky to have a doctor considering, and testing you for Cushing's! I too have Cushing's and it has really done a number on me. I have found great support on the Cushing's Support web site.
Good Luck in your quest for health!
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Dara~who rocks!
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Can I go home now?
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PCOS or Cushings??? 
