MaryO'Stuff

Dr. Robert Lamberts aka "Dr. Rob": Dr. Robert Lamberts, aka "Dr. Rob", write the amusing and insightful Musings of a Distractible Mind. He also is the "father" of a lobster named Zippy who travels the world seeking a cure for pediatric cancer.

His profile in his blog reads:

Doctor, Blogger, Goofball. Yes, that is me. Dr. Sid called me the "Dave Barry of medical blogging," but I like to think of myself as the "Hulk Hogan" of the Medical blog world. It just makes more sense to me. Anyway, I author "Musings of a Distractible Mind" as other dabblings. I like llamas for no other reason that the word starts with to l's.

I am a practicing primary care physician in the Southeastern US, caring for patients of all ages (Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics). This blog covers a wide variety of issues, including the following: What it is like to be a physician, dogs driving cars, what troubles are in our system, toddlers with flame-throwers, what would it take to fix that system, llamas, death and dying issues, mutants, and accordions. Maybe I need to write about mutant dying accordions with flame-throwers. Hmmm....I feel a post coming. Anyhow, I like variety. Life is always lived with both laughter and tears. If you are a regular reader of this blog, it is also filled with nausea and nightmares. Thanks for stopping by. -Dr. Rob

About Dr Rob reads:

Hi! I am Dr. Rob.

I am a primary care physician from the Southeastern United States. Yes, I am a real doctor. Here are some other facts about me:
I am a father of four children.
I am board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
I am bad at bowling, but would like to be better.
I have lived in New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Georgia.
I don’t like mushrooms. They are just too slimy for me.
I play multiple musical instruments, including Piano, Cello, and Guitar.
I started college as a voice major.
I am an early adopter of Electronic Medical Records and have been awarded for our implementation of them in our practice. I have given talks about this subject across the country.
I don’t have psychic powers - I am not that Doctor Rob.
I have been diagnosed with ADHD. My staff agrees with this diagnosis.
I don’t like to write about politics. It just gives me the heebie-jeebies.
I recently had my gallbladder out. It wasn’t that bad, but the scars kind of look like bugs.
Llamas and goats have mysteriously become an important part of my blog. I am not sure who invited them, but they keep showing up.
I accidentally deleted this page, so had to rewrite it. I do stuff like that sometimes. Still, I think I am a pretty good doc. I have never deleted a patient by mistake.
My feet are size 10.5
I am the recipient of far more grace than I deserve.
I have very little patience for those pesky muskrats.
So sit back and enjoy the blog. I hope you grow from the experience. I know I haven’t.

Join Dr Rob, October 2, 2008, 8:00PM

Interview with Ashleigh (Marinewife05), August 7, 7:30PM

2008-08-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

Ashleigh has been diagnosed with PCOS and is testing for Cushing's.

She has had many Cushing's symptoms for quite a while and she has written a bio at http://www.cushings-help.com/ashleigh.htm

Part of her bio says:

My name is Ashleigh, and I'm a 22-year-old Marine wife of three years.

As long as I can remember, I was always the skinny kid. Too skinny, even. Weighing in between 110 and 115 pounds at 5' 3", I could lose weight just by thinking about it, and NEVER imagined that I would gain weight. But I did! It seemed to start exactly on my 19th birthday. It started with just a few pounds, but despite dieting and going to the gym, I gained 50 lbs in one year. I also stopped ovulating and having periods, and my hair began to change texture. My once super-thick and soft locks were becoming thin and brittle. I'd always had a little trouble with acne, but it was becoming out of control, and I had started growing hairs on my upper lip and chin - dark, coarse ones that I furiously plucked each morning.

I also noticed that I was developing these hideous magenta stretch marks on my sides at my hips, and down my legs. Progressively, the hair growth got worse and I developed dark hair on my abdomen as well. I was urinating a lot and experiencing insomnia, but extreme fatigue during the day. I also could NOT get pregnant. Eventually, all my symptoms were attributed to PCOS, and I was started on a high dose of Metformin (aka "Glucophage"). My husband left on deployment around this time (Jan 2007), and between the medication and going on the Nutrisystem diet, I managed to lose 22 pounds.

After I went off the diet, I gained back a few pounds but nothing terribly significant. My husband returned home in Jan 2007 and we resumed trying to start a family, but to no avail. A few months ago, I noticed that I had begun to gain the weight back despite being on weight watchers to LOSE weight, and that the acne and hair growth were becoming worse! To top it off, my hair was beginning to thin in the pattern of male-pattern-baldness. I was scared, believing my PCOS to be out of control, and asked my gynecologist to refer me to an endocrinologist.

I had my appointment last Tuesday. I told the doctor about my PCOS diagnosis, and about all my other symptoms, too. I am constantly tired no matter how much sleep I get (I had 10 hours last night and a 2 hour nap this afternoon, and here I sit, still completely exhausted). I told him about how I bruise easily, and how my nails are weak and my skin is dry. ( I did neglect to mention the stretch marks and Anxiety diagnosis, wishing now that I had). He told me that he doesn't trust my PCOS diagnosis and wants to test me for Cushings. I was shocked and had to tell him that my mother is being tested for the same thing! I do not have some of the classic symptoms, however - my blood pressure is always low (104/60 on most days), and I carry my weight in my hips and bottom, not my middle. I also do not have moon-face or a buffalo hump - in fact, my upper body is quite thin.

I just went in for my blood tests today and will be doing my 24 urine test tomorrow. He also ordered an ultrasound to confirm or deny the PCOS diagnosis. I am hopeful and scared. It would be nice to have a definite diagnosis and treatment plan, but I'm also afraid of what a future with Cushings could mean....

Interview with Gracie (fatnsassy), July 31, 2008

2008-07-26T08:18:00.000-04:00

Gracie (fatnsassy), July 31, 2008
More info about Gracie
Gracie says: "I've been having symptoms of Cushing's at least 14 yrs. I began testing with Dr. F. June, 2007. I was diagnosed in May, 2008 with cyclical Cushing's disease. I have surgery coming up soon.

I'm going to see Dr. J. next Monday, and I'll get my surgery date that day, so I will know by the night of the program, when I am going to surgery.) Let me know if you need more info."

The Call-In number is (646) 200-0162.

Newsletter July 2, 2008

2008-07-02T20:23:00.000-04:00

What's New?

July 2, 2008

In This Issue:

Site News

Welcome to Cushing's Help and Support Newsletters!
These are all links to more information just click to read.

Voice Chats / Internet Talk Radio / Podcasts

Upcoming Guests:

No Interview July 3, 2008. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

The Call-In number is (646) 200-0162.

Charlie (creativeogre), July 10, 2008

Jo and Corrie, date to be determined

Nicole B (Copacabana), date to be determined

Lisa (Ikho), date to be determined.

Judy's Sister, date to be determined.

Stacey, date to be determined.

LynziMarie, date to be determined.

Dr. William Ludlam, Neuroendocrinologist, date to be determined.

YOU???

Achived audio is available through the Podcast page of this site, BlogTalkRadio, the CushingsHelp Podcast or through iTunes Podcasts

Subscribe to the CushingsHelp podcasts on iTunes

Think of our podcast as a radio show on Cushing's. The show consists of many "episodes". You can listen on your computer, or your iPods, completely free of charge.

Subscribe to the CushingsHelp podcasts on TiVo

Also on the Website...

Your donations help this site keep running. Thank you!
Many thanks to these donors. Please join them!

Thanks to a suggestion on the message boards, Cushing's Help now has a mailbox for those who wish to donate by check!

To send a check:

Mary O'Connor
Cushings Help
4094 Majestic Ln. #328
Fairfax, VA 22033

Weekly Chat Reminders, Voice (Call-In) Chat Reminders, new podcasts, Meeting / Webcast Notifications and Occasional Newsletters are back! Sign up to take advantage of this returning feature. Register here

Read this Newsletter online

Cushing's Help and Support Printable Brochure
Cushing's brochures that are sent out with the Cushing's Awareness Wristbands. Print them on special tri-fold brochure paper for the best effect. Newest version includes the new toll-free number, new podcasts, voice chats and has a Columbus, OH picture.

Cushing's Books

Upcoming Chats

Next Scheduled Text Chat
Wednesday, July 2, 9PM Eastern. The Chatroom is open 24/7

Next VOICE Chat, July 10, 7:30 PM Eastern. MaryO will interview Charlie (creativeogre). No Interview July 3. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July! The Call-In number is (646) 200-0162. Upcoming guests include Charlie (creativeogre). Jo and Corrie, Nicole (copacabana) and Dr. William Ludlam

Archived VOICE Chats
Listen live to archived interviews with MaryO, Dr. Dori Middleman, Heather S, Leslie, Jackie and Jordan, Ferol, Kevin, Steve, Jenn, Crystal and Monica, JenS, Karen, Robin, Alicia, Jayne, Judy and Jess. Over 5,300 listeners...so far! Achived audio is available through the Podcast page of this site, BlogTalkRadio, the CushingsHelp Podcast or through iTunes Podcasts

Upcoming Meetings:

• Patient Support Group Santa Monica, CA, Wednesday July 16, 2008 More info here.

• Patient Support Group Santa Monica, CA, Wednesday September 17, 2008 More info here.

• Patient Support Group Santa Monica, CA, Wednesday November 19, 2008 More info here.

• Endo 2009 (Washington, DC) June 10-13, 2009. More info here.

• Endo 2010 (San Diego, California) June 19 -22, 2010. More info here.

•Discussions about other upcoming meetings: Seattle / Portland; Missouri;
the Los Angeles area;
Southern California Area;
the Midwest/midsouth (Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas);
Virginia (Tidewater/Hampton Roads area);
UK meeting in the Spring of 2008?.

Newest Helpful Doctor

Add Your Helpful Doctor

New Helpful Doctor June 17
Dr. Lawrence Mallette, Houston, TX

Newest and Updated Bios

Add Your Bio

New Bio July 2
Rene' (mrskittycat) is from Gainesville, Georgia. She had several years of unexplainable problems, which included a heart attack, before she was able to get treatment. She had pituitary surgery at OHSU four years ago.

New Bio July 2
Elizabeth (Elizabeth) is from Jacksonville, Florida. She was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor two years ago and recently diagnosed with Cushing's disease. She hasn't seen her doctor since her diagnosis. Elizabeth may be the subject of a future Live Interview in the Cushing's Help Voice Chat / Podcast series. More information as it becomes available. Archives will be available after the chat.

New Bio June 29
Suzypar (Mike) is from Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Her husband Mike developed osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure and other problems seemingly over night. He had transphenoidal pituitary surgery June 23, 2008.

New Bio June 29
Kateelston (kateelston) is from Warner Robins, Georgia. She has been diagnosed with insulin resistant, PCOS, underactive thyroid, and diabetes. She has taken synthroid, Glucophage and Yaz but she isn't feeling any better.

New Bio June 29
Joselle (Jo) is from Fredonia, New York. Although she didn't present as a typical Cushie, a doctor gave her a cortisol suppression test and she was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. Joselle may be the subject of a future Live Interview in the Cushing's Help Voice Chat / Podcast series. More information as it becomes available. Archives will be available after the chat.

New Bio June 29
Heather (HeatherTN) is from Union City, Tennessee. She is testing for Cushing's and has been treated with PCOS for 7 years.

New Bio June 29
Stacey (svogrinec) is from Sammamish, Washington. She is not yet diagnosed with Cushing's but has a long list of symptoms.

New Bio June 29
Sandy (sandysims) is from Cape Coral, Florida. She is not yet diagnosed but she had a steroid overdose a few years ago.

New Bio June 29
Jeanann (jaw) is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was recently referred to an endocrinologist for suspected Cushing's and she is testing now.

Updated Bio June 29
Diane (worriedmom) is from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Her daughter Kelsey has had two pituitary surgeries so far and both were unsuccessful. They are contemplating a BLA as the next step. Kelsey has tried meds (ketoconazole and metyropone) with limited results. Diane updated the bio three months after Kelsey's third pituitary surgery. Diane's daughter has also posted her own bio.

New Bio June 29
Heather (HeatherTN) is from Union City, Tennessee. She is testing for Cushing's and has been treated with PCOS for 7 years.

New Bio June 24
Juletta is from North Carolina. Her 20-year-old son might have Cushing's. He is testing.

Updated Bio June 24
Amanda (amanda w) is from Ohio. She was diagnosed with Pituitary Cushing's about 2 years ago. Her doctors aren't treating her symptoms but she is going through a lot of testing. She updated her bio in June, 2008 after having participating in the SOM230 study.

New Bio June 23
EJ (Rogers) is from Channelview, Texas. She has Addison's and lymphoma. She has also had an hysterectomy and a pacemaker installed.

New Bio June 23
Laura (Lucies12) is from Cape Coral, Florida. She has been diagnosed with PCOS so far. A pituitary scan was suggestive of empty sella syndrome and a smaller than normal pituitary gland. She has many Cushing's symptoms.

New Bio June 23
Connie is from Mooresville, Indiana. She was diagnosed with Cushing's in 2001. She had pituitary surgery and radiation. Since she isn't cured, she's thinking of having her pituitary removed. Although not mentioned in her bios, she checked of prolactinoma on the form as well as pituitary.

New Bio June 23
Kerri (kerrim) is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She is not yet diagnosed with Cushing's but is testing. She has gone 3 years with no diagnosis.

New Bio June 23
Dawn is from Massillon, Ohio. Her adrenal tumor was found about 6 years ago and she had it removed December 2006. Her friend also has Cushing's and will have a second surgery soon.

New Bio June 19
Vickie (Lynny) is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She was diagnosed with sub-clinical Cushing's in 2005. She has had a BLA.

New Bio June 19
Danica (momof12yearold) is from Mesquite, Texas. Her 12-year old daughter is being tested for Cushing's, PCOS, Slowed Growth and Diabetes.

New Bio June 17
Chris (slpatient) is from Houston, Texas. He had adrenal surgery about three months ago.

New Bio June 17
Martha (mgsmom) is from Westfield, New Jersey. Her 13 year old doctor was hospitalized at birth for low blood sugar and diagnosed at age 2 for Ketotic Hypoglycemia. She thinks the doctors are missing something.

Updated Bio June 12
Lori (cmondwn) is from New York, New York. She has had three pituitary surgeries. The last was at NIH with Dr. Ed Oldfield. Since her third surgery she lost 80 lbs, won a car on The Price is Right, was featured in Shape Magazine for her weight loss success story (6/05) and got married. She now fears a recurrence. Lori updated her bio June 12, 2008 after giving birth. Lori may be the subject of a future Live Interview in the Cushing's Help Voice Chat / Podcast series. More information as it becomes available. Archives will be available after the chat.

Updated Bio June 12
Chrissy (Chrissy) is from Norristown, Pennsylvania. She has been diagnosed with Insulin Resistance and PCOS. The Glucophage isn't helping so she thinks she needs a second opinion. She submitted a bio in June 2008.

New Bio June 12
Rhoda (Rhoda) is from Dublin, Ireland. She was diagnosed with Cushing's when she was 13. She has had the tumor on her pituitary removed, a BLA and now has Nelson's. She would like to get pregnant. Rhoda may be the subject of a future Live Interview in the Cushing's Help Voice Chat / Podcast series. More information as it becomes available. Archives will be available after the chat.

New Bio June 9
B C Lewis is from Asheville, North Carolina. After her son died suddenly, she developed Cushing's symptoms. She has had congestive heart failure. After 3 months of testing, she had pituitary surgery. The tumor was wrapped around her carotid artery. She is having a tough time post-op.

New Bio June 9
Deborah (MomofFour) is from Spring Hill, Florida. Her 13-year-old daughter has been struggling with extreme weight gain for about two years now. Deborah and her husband saw a show on the History Channel that mentioned Cushing's Disease and she is going to have her daughter tested.

New Bio June 9
Natasha (Natasha) is from Muskegon, Michigan. She is not yet diagnosed with Cushing's but testing is indicating that she may have it. Natasha may be the subject of a future Live Interview in the Cushing's Help Voice Chat / Podcast series. More information as it becomes available. Archives will be available after the chat.

Updated Bio May 29
Mac (MacD) is from Manassas, Virginia. She is not yet diagnosed with Cushing's but has many symptoms and has been diagnosed with diabetes, hypothyroidism, MS, seizures, migraines, chronic fatigue, malabsorption syndrome and recently had her gallbladder out because it was riddled with stones.

New Bio May 29
Elizabeth (Lizzie) is from Northridge, California. She is waiting for an ok from her insurance to go to UCLA for final diagnosis and surgery She may be the subject of a future Live Interview in the Cushing's Help Voice Chat / Podcast series. More information as it becomes available. Archives will be available after the chat.

New Bio May 29
Liz is from Detroit, Michigan. She is not yet diagnosed with Cushing's but she has an adrenal tumor the size of a quarter.

New Bio May 28
Katie (shotbyastar) is from Beloit, Wisconsin. She has been diagnosed with PCOS but wondering about Cushing's. Her endo was going to test but she lost her insurance.

Clinical Trial

Clinical Trial June 23
Cushing’s Disease Study CSOM230B2305 The purpose of this clinical research study is to determine the most safe and effective dose of an investigational drug for participants 18 years of age and older who have ACTH-dependent Cushing’s disease...

Clinical Trial June 20
San Antonio Clinical Trial for Cushing's Syndrome You may be eligible for free study related medical care and compensation for time and travel...

Clinical Trial June 7
Free Clinical Trials at OSHU Qualifying patients will receive SOM230 (a new drug that effects all five somatostatin receptors) for a 16-day period to see if it effectively treats Cushing's disease...

Endo News

Endo News July 2
Work-up and management of paediatric Cushing's syndrome Early diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's syndrome is vital for long-term outcome. The overall prognosis for Cushing's syndrome is good but challenges remain to ensure normal postcure growth and body composition...

Endo News July 2
Diagnosis–Addison’s Disease Secondary to Tuberculosis of the Adrenal Glands In 1855, Thomas Addison described autopsy findings of six patients with adrenal tuberculosis, which continues to be one of the most common causes of adrenal insufficiency in the developing world...

Endo News June 30
Adaptive Responses of the Maternal Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis during Pregnancy and Lactation The extent of the global adaptations in the HPA axis has been revealed and the underlying mechanisms investigated within the last 20 years. Both basal, including the circadian rhythm, and stress-induced adrenocorticotrophic hormone and glucocorticoid secretory patterns are altered...

Endo News June 29
Complications of Diabetes Insipidus: The Significance of Headache Causes of deficient amounts of ADH secretion include: (a) a malfunctioning hypothalamus or pituitary gland, (cool.gif damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland during surgery...

Endo News June 28
Measurement of urinary free cortisol by tandem mass spectrometry and comparison with results obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and two commercial immunoassays The interference of cortisol ring-A metabolites in immunoassays contribute to overestimation of UFC concentrations. The LC-MS/MS procedure had the sensitivity, specificity, linearity, precision and accuracy for the determination of UFC concentrations. The method is suitable for routine use provided that method-dependant reference values are established...

Endo News June 26
Failure of partial hypophysectomy as definitive treatment in cushing’s disease owing to nodular corticotrope hyperpiasia; report of four cases We conclude that although our patients appear to have inadequate suppression with high-dose dexamethasone, there is no way to diagnose this pathology presurgically, and that total hypophysectomy, bilateral adrenalectomy, and irradiation are the only alternatives for definitive treatment. A CRH-secreting ectopic tumor could not be found in our patients either before or after surgery in the follow-up period...

Endo News June 24
Role for postoperative cortisol response to desmopressin in predicting the risk for recurrent Cushing's disease In the early postoperative period of Cushing's disease patients, desmopressin may stimulate ACTH secretion in the remnant corticotrophic tumour, but not in nontumour suppressed cells...

Endo News June 23
The Startling Truth About Doctors and Diagnostic Errors Despite all of the talk about medical errors and patient safety, almost no one likes to talk about diagnostic errors. Yet doctors misdiagnose patients more often than we would like to think. Sometimes they diagnose patients with illnesses they don't have. Other times, the true condition is missed. All in all, diagnostic errors account for 17 percent of adverse events in hospitals, according to the Harvard Medical Practice Study, a landmark study that looks at medical errors...

Endo News June 23
The adrenal cortex in ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome: A morphological study with histology, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and image analysis The surgically removed adrenal glands of an 83-year-old woman with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome were studied by light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and flow-cytometric and image analyses for DNA ploidy. Light microscopy revealed marked adrenocortical hyperplasia...

Endo News June 19
PPH and more After Five Years on Fen-Phen In 2000, Shannon went in to the hospital for a hysterectomy. "I came out of the hospital having been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, and Cushing's disease, in addition to having the hysterectomy," she said...

Endo News June 19
Predicting Recurrence Fifty-seven Cushing's disease patients submitted to pituitary surgery and desmopressin stimulation in the early postoperative with a long-term follow-up (20–161 months) were studied...

Endo News June 18
The Burning Question – What Causes High Blood Pressure? Miscellaneous health issues such as kidney disease, adrenal problems like Cushing's disease, diabetes, aortic malformations and even sleep apnea are contributors to what causes high blood pressure...

Endo News June 18
Phaeochromocytoma combined with subclinical Cushing's syndrome & pituitary microadenoma Phaeochromocytoma (PHEO) occasionally associates with pathological lesions of the adrenal cortex. The coexistence of PHEO and pre-clinical Cushing's syndrome (PCS) of the same adrenal gland has rarely been reported. We report a case of PHEO and PCS originating from the same adrenal gland and discuss the peculiar diagnostic aspects of this entity...

Endo News June 17
Obesity can be rooted in medical problems Another disease related to weight gain is Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of tissue to the hormone cortisol. Not only does it cause excessive weight gain, but it can also cause severe fatigue, weak muscles and high blood pressure. Irritability, anxiety, and depression are common, as well. Women experience excessive hair growth along with these other symptoms...

Endo News June 17
The Other Side of Obesity as Disease Debate A further conceptual problem arises when obesity occurs in a disease such as Cushing's Syndrome. Obesity is one of the components or signs of that syndrome. Is the obesity which is a sign of Cushing's disease, itself a separate disease?...

Endo News June 13
A Swift Kick in the ASP Another example is Cushing's disease, which is a small tumor on the pituitary. The net effect of Cushing's disease is that it causes the body to have high levels of the hormone cortisol. I had a friend with Cushing's disease. He ran five miles every day, and by any measure ate a healthy diet, yet continued to gain weight. Why? Increased cortisol (from the sympathetic endocrine system) can cause compensatory secretion of insulin (from the opposing parasympathetic endocrine system). Chronically high insulin will make you fat no matter how much you exercise or how little you eat. Keep insulin high, and you can literally starve to death while remaining obese...

Endo News June 12
Pituitary Hyperplasia Pituitary cell hyperplasia can be a source of hyperprolactinemia, gigantism, and Cushing's disease. Indeed, up to 18% of Cushing's disease and some of the nonremissions following successful removal of corticotroph ademona could be attributable to corticotroph hyperplasia...

Endo News May 20
Feds to Offer Free Health Care to People With Very Rare Diseases The new mystery-disease program is aimed at people with the rarest of the rare diseases — even those with truly brand-new ailments — who otherwise would be turned away because there are no studies, yet, for their conditions or a researcher specifically tracking their symptoms. It doesn't promise a diagnosis, but the chance to be reevaluated by a team of renowned specialists...

HOME | Contents | Search | Adrenal Crisis! | Abbreviations | Glossary | Forums | Donate | Interactive | Bios | Subscribe | Newsletter Archives | Current Newsletter | • July 2, 2008 |

This week in Voice Chat

2008-03-29T19:59:00.000-04:00

StaceyJenn, April 3. StaceyJenn was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and a host of other ailments in 2001 (candidiasis, intestinal permeability, 22 latent food allergies).

Once diagnosed, she was on specially formulated hydrocortisone for 7 years as she was allergic to the fillers in the meds. Her doctor stopped practicing and she was transferred to his associate. She switched StaceyJenn to medrol.

After Cushing's symptoms, a new endo started weaning her off the medrol and she had many problems. Read StaceyJenn's bio

This week in Voice Chat

2008-03-22T09:35:00.000-04:00

Monica (Monicaroni) and Crystal (Vinesqueen), March 27, 2008. The Call-In number is (646) 200-0162.

Crystal and Monica went through every step of their Cushing's journey together--tested together, had surgeries the same days, and have become best friends because of it.

Monica was diagnosed with Cyclical Cushing's. She had pituitary surgery in November 2006. An 8mm encapsulated pituitary tumor was removed.

Since there was no post-op crash, she also had a BLA in December 2006. Both surgeries were in Seattle. She is now free of Cushing's and am on the road to recovery!

Monica is a professional violinist.

From Monica's bio

Crystal had pituitary surgery surgery 11/06 followed by a BLA 12/06. She also had a sinus excavation 2/06 and sinus surgery 5/07. Her last surgery was an internal hernia repair 8/07

Her blog is available at http://vinesqueen.blogspot.com/