Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Distinguishing cortisol highs and lows in Cyclic/Episodic Cushing's Disease

Cyclic Symptoms: (These are ones that I have experienced, and everyone's "cluster" of symptoms for highs and lows are a bit different, but many of these are typical.)

Weight gain
High - Gain ½-2 lbs per day generally
Low – Lose roughly ¼-1 lb per day

Bowel movements
High - Constipation
Low – Normal to loose bowels

Urination
High – Frequent urination , higher volume, waking at night to go
Low – Less frequent urination, lower volume

Sleep patterns
High – Wide awake late at night (1am+), difficulty staying asleep/falling asleep
Low – Easily fall asleep by 10pm, less waking at night

Emotional state
High – Generally better mood overall
Low – Inability to cope with normal circumstances –easy to anger or become tearful

Acne
High – Lots of deep, painful acne, generally appearing on back, arms, legs, face, buttocks, chest, etc. Low – A few shallow pimples if any, generally on the face
 
Bruising
High – Easy, deep bruising without known cause (can take weeks to fade)
Low – Usually no new bruises, or small, known cause and quick healing (days)

Aches/Pains
High – Very few aches/pains, and only with a known cause
Low – Frequent, generalized aches and pains, headaches

Temperature
High – Profuse sweating, always hot (regardless of temperature), flushed face
Low – Far less extreme, though still generally on the warm side

Muscle weakness
High – Generally lessening strength, but not noticeable in a high cycle
Low – Weak, shaky muscles with difficulty walking or lifting very light objects

Dyshidrotic eczema
High – remission in a high cycle, but usually have residual peeling skin for roughly a week where the eczema had been located
Low – Patches of eczema appear on my fingers, palms and feet, often itchy and sometimes bordering on painful (if large in size)
 






 

1 comment:

  1. Yes! Someone who understands night waking! They think mine is a prolactinoma, but I think it's a combined type.

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