The Journey seems to have only just begun.

10 Weeks ago if you had mentioned the word “cushings” to me I wold have only associated it with horses and even when my GP gave me his diagnosis I had absolutely no idea that this disease even existed.

Let me take you back a little, In about March 2018 I started to see some changes in myself. As a very active and positive person I take exercise, nutrition and work pretty seriously and have always kept myself around the 10/ 10 1/2 (130-18 lbs) stone mark. I noticed that i was starting to gain a little weight and so naturally went on a strict exercise and nutrition diet. (even got a PT)  By the end of June i had less energy than ever, I was feeling what only i can describe as ‘mental person,’ my muscles hurt so much and I was slowly growing out of all of my wardrobe (which is every girls WORST nightmare)

I decided enough was enough and I went to see my Nurse, as i wondered whether it was something to do with my contraceptive pill, she sent me off for some bloods thinking that it was my thyroid and passed me onto my GP, who was extremely understanding. If you didn’t know me you would probably have looked at me and said that I looked fine, a little overweight but fine. He sent me for more bloods, ruling our leukaemia etc which came back clear, he then sent me for hormone bloods. It was at this time that i started to notice other things, the red stripey marks, indents in my skin and bruising, all things that really hadn’t happened before and all that seem to come and go in random cycles.

So, I  go back and my Cortisol levels are in the upper quartile, not through the roof but high enough for concern, he refers me to  a specialist in London. A week later I am off to London and my consultant is amusingly straight to the point, he listens and scribes, does all the standard checks, i explained all my symptons and how my body was changing. He asked to see a picture of me from a year ago, I showed a picture from the January (So only 6 months or so earlier) he took a long gaze it and then at me before announcing that it could in fact be a different person! (Not quite what every girl wants to hear! See the picture i showed him below) but i think it was at this moment that I realised that I do in fact look different and now to add to the growing list of symptons ‘moon face’ was added.

More tests were done, my blood pressure had gone from being low to being very high, my BMI had gone from normal to really obese (31) and I had put on just over 3 stone (42lbs) since February to now what was July, I am really starting to feel the mental toughness required. Although people tell you that it’s ok, it’s not your fault, it will get sorted, it is still my body, i have to live with the changes for right now and the frustration of not being able to exercise, lose weight, get on with stuff eats at me every day.

So I decided to join 2 support groups on Facebook and it completely blew my mind at how many people are on this journey too, all at very different stages which is why i have decided to start blogging. Not only will it help me but i hope that by sharing  my story that I will be able to connect with others and let people know that they are not alone. i will try and not make it too morbid my life certainly isn’t. I will share more about me as we go. I have more blood results with my consultant this Friday (14.09.2018) so will post again soon.

If you are reading this, thank you for being part of my journey.

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton