Posted by katekite on July 10, 2002, at 9:30:57
In reply to Re: insomnia mom » katekite, posted by InsomniaMom on July 10, 2002, at 8:44:52
I don't have many of the classic symptoms, I am skinny even. I am lucky to have caught it early...not in the past for me, going through lots of testing now. People who have all or most of the symptoms have usually had it continuously for over 5 years without diagnosis (it often starts in an intermittent way). Some of the most "classic" symptoms may only develop at the end, or not at all.
My symptoms: periods got lighter (but I still have them) started a year ago. Mild acne came back (thought it was gone for good). Irritability and depression and stressed at the least thing, kind of comes and goes. Hot flashes that seemed to last a long time (I'm only 30). Insomnia started 18 months ago and has gotten gradually worse although I still sleep ok some nights. Attentional problems like mild ADD and on and off memory problems like words on the tip of my toungue started about 6 months ago. Started being very sensitive to caffeine (found now a couple cups of coffee really sent my heart pumping). About a year ago decided to give up caffeine, except still had a Coke now and then. Now can't tolerate Coke either. Exhausted all the time, just tired, no good reason. Just in the last month: blood pressure problems, racing pulse, red face, muscle weakness, more infections.
Symptoms I've not had: moon face, buffalo hump, weight gain, stretch marks, and any of the masculinizing things which are rare: the hairy-ness.
I was pretty skeptical of the diagnosis at first as I looked up all the symptoms and of course have no moon face... but it turns out no one has every symptom. And as it turns out I am starting to finally get more symptoms. I think it must be underdiagnosed since if I think about it I can almost think I may have had it gradually coming on for possibly 6 years.
Sounds like you have enough hormonal things to keep you busy without worrying about another... just maybe keep it in the back of your mind in case you ever do get any more of the symptoms. I know what its like to be thought of as a hypochondriac and I sure never wanted to bring all these minor symptoms to the attention of my doctor. I only got diagnosed because I had a bad reaction to Ritalin and my psychiatrist decided to test me for Cushing's and a few other things, just in case. A fluke, almost, that I was diagnosed at all.
Take care -- kate
poster:katekite
thread:109214
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020709/msgs/111920.html