Self-diagnosis is a bad thing
I'm not a hypochondriac, but being in the healthcare sciences, I do my research. I'm comfortable with that. And it's helped to suggest to my docs where to look when something was in question. After all, they are all about trial and error (if it's not that, it might be this).
Well, today during training, my trainer noticed that my calves have been getting discolored. I had a huge bruise and he was like, "what's going on?" I dismissed the bruise (hey they come sometimes without awareness), had noticed the legs were scaley to the touch and thought it was dry skin. So, I researched a bit to see what it could be.
Hmmm, psoriasis ? Maybe. acanthosis nigricans? Not quite (and that one worries me because it suggests the insulin is getting really out of whack and I did have elevated blood sugar in October of 122 (Oh, and Chris, my T4 was 7.2, TSH 1.473, T3 129). But then I saw a link and went to Cushing’s. Go to ADRENAL & CORTICOSTEROIDS on this
page and her face looks like my legs.... I knew of Cushing's, but thought without the moon face (acapella, do you think I have a moon face as you've seen my photo?), I've got a full face, though high cheekbones and dimples, but it had the skin issue (and others I have, sweating, thin skin, red striae, hirsutism (if my Italian hair over my lip counts), rapid weight gain (I can gain 30-40lbs in the blink of an eye), insomnia, depression, high blood sugar, gastrointestinal disturbances, etc. So maybe I'm overreacting as we're all want to do in this age of WebMD.... But I think I shouldn't put off getting my endocrinologist consult sometime soon. Cushing's would make big sense. It would explain away many of my symptoms, including my weight.... Anyway, mind is wandering....
OMG! You so don't have a "moon face"!
You have to kep yourself busy till you go to the doctor!! I had something similar. In my case it turned out to be cellulitis. I think its possible it was something else and just finally cleared up on its own. It could be a bazillion things. One of the things that is possible for those of up that are overweight is venous insufficiency.
I used to work for an endocrinologist, and there are many endocrine issues that could apply as well.
Make an appt to see the doc ASAP before you drive your self nuts :)
Try keeping your legs elevated and see if that helps at all.
send an update when you find out anything.
Jean
You know what's funny? My Daddy asked me if I ever got tested for Cushings because I have this lump of fat behind my neck (not huge, but it's there) that's common with Cushings and that, with rapid weight gain, gastro issues, bipolar - it seemed to fit in. Weird... There's no treatment for Cushings, right?
Have you made an appointment yet? Be careful, you'll worry yourself silly reading so much into different things it could be. I'm no doctor, but it does sound like it could be lots of things. My husband has psoriasis, but he never bruises. I also have perokeratosis, went in thinking it was just dry skin. Theres so many different things it could be that your gonna worry yourself to death. Make that appointment so you can be reassured of what it is! Keep us informed on how your appointment goes.
Made it for Thursday. I know the skin thing can be a million things, and to that end I could just do a dermatologist. It's the combination of things that made me think it's time for an endo. Especially as I begin this challenge, if there's a diagnosis to be made, I want to hear it and react to it early in the Challenge.
It was just reading that symptom list that so many things resonated with me...And then when I reviewed my blood work from October (results on my blog) that I thought the interpretation of the numbers may not be right. I need more guidance and maybe an endo will do that.
I know nothing about Cushings but it doesn't sound good. I sure hope you don't have it!
I found this story on the web though. This lady was told she didn't have cushings because she didn't fit the symptoms completely. Turns out she did have cushings. So after reading that I would urge you to demand your doctor run the tests just to be sure. My doctor doesn't understand why i want to run the T4/T3 tests but he said he'd do them for me. Doctors definitely don't know everything just like I don't know everything about databases.
http://www.cushings-help.com/shaunas_story.htm
that was an extremely interesting story! It shows to go ya...if certain things nag at you, keep pursuing it.
I too have a nagging sensation about my thyroid, my DH agrees after years of living with me. It seems I should not have to work this hard to stay this fat. I really beleive if not for my ongoing persistance and lucky addiction to exercise, i seriously would be 400#, no problem.
Cushings is really confusing, I plan to read up on it. In todays paper, our doctor column talks about it brought on by certain medications that may be prescribed for other things. Interesting subject.
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