Re: Cushings or Cirrhosis

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

Thanks for the response about Cushing Syndrome, and the explanation. I do

believe I have the symptoms of cushings and not the disease itself, but will

have that confirmed with a doctor. I spoke with a friend of mine from my AIH

group today. She had cushing symptoms too. She explained the difference in it,

and in the disease itself. I did some more reading about it myself and I am

fairly sure that this go away as the prednisone lowers. The tapering process is

long and has been very difficult, and while I am doing everything that was

suggested, anyone who has weaned off it knows that it is a disturbing process

both mentally and physically .I don't want an adrenal crisis or a flare with my

enzymes climbing back up, so I am taking it very slow.

. I have been done extensive research about Autoimmune Hepatitis. I know the

statistics about the progression of the disease into cirrhosis. I also

understand that fibrosis is very close to cirrhosis, but I do not have

cirrhosis, or at least to my knowledge.

A Question... Do people with cirrhosis (who know much more about it than I

do), at least on this site they do, see fibrosis as cirrhosis? Is it the looked

at as the early stages of cirrhosis through a patent's eyes?. . I know only

another biopsy can determine where I am in the progression of the fibrosis, but

I still have good liver function and no symptoms of cirrhosis to my knowledge.

For those who do not know, prednisone slows down the attack of the immune

system which is what causes autoimmune diseases of all kinds. Normally our

immune system protects us from disease. In this case, it's the opposite. There

is a battle to destroy the organ because it is seen as something foreign trying

to hurt us.In my case, my own immune system has nearly destroyed my liver, and I

had few side effects, mostly extreme fatigue, and elevation of liver enzymes.

I will post a link about AIH if anyone who does not know about it would like

to read. It is one of a number of things that can led to cirrhosis.

I hope I hear back from anyone that wants to comment. I don 't address a lot

of the posts because I don't have the information that is being asked for. But,

I do have empathy and concern for each and every one of you. Facing a life

threatening illness is the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. I

raised a child with a life threatening illness, spinabifida. She is now 23. I

felt helpless many times, but always had the strength and faith to face things.

I was diagnosed earlier this year, and my life has been like a roller coaster.

But at least I know now what caused the extreme fatigue for years. I have

something to work with. However, at times fear and depression have overwhelmed

me, and I feel so ostracized.

One of the hardest things is this.. NO-one understands the symptoms unless

they have them. The stigma of having liver disease is horrible, which was

addressed last week on this site. People don't understand that I am sick

because I don't look sick or I don't have something like cancer. There is little

empathy within the community for people with hepatitis of any kind, and/or liver

disease, cirrhosis, etc. I am sorry for this. And I am sorry for being so

uninformed about things. I have a friend that has had hepatitis for years. I

never really avoided her, but I never tried to find out anything about what she

was gong through either. I hope I can educate people along the way. It's rough

though when the word hepatitis or cirrhosis raises eyebrows so much.

Thanks for listening.

Judy

Louisville KY

abijann <no_reply > wrote:

I wanted before to point out how similar symptoms have to be

completely observed and tests have to be taken to be sure which

disease a patient has. Judy is asking about cushing disease and

cirrhosis. In this case it is about prednisone being taken when

you have cirrhosis and going off of it.

I am posting this for everyone to understand what may happen in

this case. Judy may already know this information since she

has been studying it thoroughly. I might add here that it is

great that she is doing this research herself...you have to

be a first responder in your own care.

A little about Cushing disease. It is usually caused by a

" pituitary tumor " that secretes more ACTH. This ACTH has to do

with the levels of cortisol that the adrenal gland makes.

Now you can see that the hormones released by the pituitary

signals other glands to do certain functions. The pituitary is

located in the brain, almost where your nasal area is located.

When they operate on the pituitary, they usually go through

the nasal(nose)cavity to do it. In Cushing disease, the patient

develops a buffalo shaped hump in their back area between the

shoulder blades and has a rounded face appearance. There are

many other changes in the patient also.

When you are on Prednisone, the buffalo shaped hump and a

rounded face appearance can also happen. People on prednisone

normally retain more salt and therefore, also fluid. They

tend to gain weight and have a puffiness of the face which

is usually known as a MOON FACE. If they have diabetes, it

may seem like the diabetes is becoming worse....[An Insert: When

going off of prednisone, you have to watch closely, for your amount of

insulin you are taking may need to be adjusted slowly to a

lower amount cause Prednisone tends to keep the sugar level in

the blood higher than normal, which becomes less as it is

decreased.] Prednisone can also cause a decrease in wound healing.

It also suppresses the immune system and is one of the drugs people

are usually placed on with their anti-rejection drugs.

The adrenal gland makes these steriods. When someone starts to

take Prednisone...the adrenal gland slows down it production of

it....when you go off, the adrenal gland then starts to try

to produce more. People who are on Prednisone have to be taken

off this drug very slowly to give the Adrenal gland more time

to make up the difference. You might ask why then take the

drug if the Adrenal gland already makes it. Because they need

a much higher dose of the steriod to accomplish the medical

results needed. The adrenal glands are located on top of each

kidney.

Whether these symptoms are coming from the medication or

from another disease has to be determined through testing and

what a physician knows about the patient's background and

medical conditions. If you doubt that what the one physician

may be telling you is inaccurate...it is best to get a

separate opinion from another medical professional. In the

case of a disease possibly being determined, this is always

a good idea. Many people do not have transplants when they

want one because of what one doctor says. You have to remember

that each doctor is going by what they know...some continue

schooling, some do more research into certain areas...some

keep more up to date with what is new in the areas.

Some graduated at the bottom of their class and others at the

high levels. They are human and can make mistakes just like

all of us do.

Remember that this is from a non professional and to be taken

as information only and not medical fact.

 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the

world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

---------------------------------

Sponsored Link

Degrees online in as fast as 1 Yr - MBA, Bachelor's, Master's, Associate - Click

now to apply

[Guest guest]

Judy,

My sister was just diagnosed with Cushing's.

How are you doing?

MaC

> I wanted before to point out how similar symptoms have to be

> completely observed and tests have to be taken to be sure which

> disease a patient has. Judy is asking about cushing disease and

> cirrhosis. In this case it is about prednisone being taken when

> you have cirrhosis and going off of it.

>

> I am posting this for everyone to understand what may happen in

> this case. Judy may already know this information since she

> has been studying it thoroughly. I might add here that it is

> great that she is doing this research herself...you have to

> be a first responder in your own care.

>

> A little about Cushing disease. It is usually caused by a

> " pituitary tumor " that secretes more ACTH. This ACTH has to do

> with the levels of cortisol that the adrenal gland makes.

> Now you can see that the hormones released by the pituitary

> signals other glands to do certain functions. The pituitary is

> located in the brain, almost where your nasal area is located.

> When they operate on the pituitary, they usually go through

> the nasal(nose)cavity to do it. In Cushing disease, the patient

> develops a buffalo shaped hump in their back area between the

> shoulder blades and has a rounded face appearance. There are

> many other changes in the patient also.

>

> When you are on Prednisone, the buffalo shaped hump and a

> rounded face appearance can also happen. People on prednisone

> normally retain more salt and therefore, also fluid. They

> tend to gain weight and have a puffiness of the face which

> is usually known as a MOON FACE. If they have diabetes, it

> may seem like the diabetes is becoming worse....[An Insert: When

> going off of prednisone, you have to watch closely, for your amount of

> insulin you are taking may need to be adjusted slowly to a

> lower amount cause Prednisone tends to keep the sugar level in

> the blood higher than normal, which becomes less as it is

> decreased.] Prednisone can also cause a decrease in wound healing.

> It also suppresses the immune system and is one of the drugs people

> are usually placed on with their anti-rejection drugs.

>

> The adrenal gland makes these steriods. When someone starts to

> take Prednisone...the adrenal gland slows down it production of

> it....when you go off, the adrenal gland then starts to try

> to produce more. People who are on Prednisone have to be taken

> off this drug very slowly to give the Adrenal gland more time

> to make up the difference. You might ask why then take the

> drug if the Adrenal gland already makes it. Because they need

> a much higher dose of the steriod to accomplish the medical

> results needed. The adrenal glands are located on top of each

> kidney.

>

> Whether these symptoms are coming from the medication or

> from another disease has to be determined through testing and

> what a physician knows about the patient's background and

> medical conditions. If you doubt that what the one physician

> may be telling you is inaccurate...it is best to get a

> separate opinion from another medical professional. In the

> case of a disease possibly being determined, this is always

> a good idea. Many people do not have transplants when they

> want one because of what one doctor says. You have to remember

> that each doctor is going by what they know...some continue

> schooling, some do more research into certain areas...some

> keep more up to date with what is new in the areas.

> Some graduated at the bottom of their class and others at the

> high levels. They are human and can make mistakes just like

> all of us do.

>

> Remember that this is from a non professional and to be taken

> as information only and not medical fact.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens

can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

>

> ---------------------------------

> Sponsored Link

>

> Degrees online in as fast as 1 Yr - MBA, Bachelor's, Master's,

Associate - Click now to apply

>

>