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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Headaches And Unexplained Weight Gain
Question: Hi there
I think I might have cushings. I started having headaches about 2 years ago. Last august i started putting on unexplainable weight. My parents are both extremely thin and so was I.. I am on pysch meds for bipolar but Ive been the exact same meds at the exact same dose for 4 years now.
I gained 30 lbs in 6 months.. gaining weight has stopped but I keep getting bigger even though my weight stays the same.. 8" on my waist, in 9 months.. I have crazy and painful stretch marks that are purple and new ones have appearing every single day for the last 6 weeks..i have a huge belly that makes me look pregnant and a double chin.. If you saw pictures of what i looked like last year at this time, the difference is scary..
I think I might have cushings. I started having headaches about 2 years ago. Last august i started putting on unexplainable weight. My parents are both extremely thin and so was I.. I am on pysch meds for bipolar but Ive been the exact same meds at the exact same dose for 4 years now.
I gained 30 lbs in 6 months.. gaining weight has stopped but I keep getting bigger even though my weight stays the same.. 8" on my waist, in 9 months.. I have crazy and painful stretch marks that are purple and new ones have appearing every single day for the last 6 weeks..i have a huge belly that makes me look pregnant and a double chin.. If you saw pictures of what i looked like last year at this time, the difference is scary..
Brief Answer:
Your pictures and your medical history are suggestive for Cushing's.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I read carefully your question and understood your concern.
I saw you pictures. Your weight gain(the fatty deposits, especially in the midsection and in your face) and the purple stretch marks can be attributed to Cushing syndrome.
The headache can be suggestive of a pituitary adenoma (an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma). A head MR scan is necessary to confirm or rule out this diagnosis.
When the cause of the excess cortisol is excess ACTH made by a pituitary tumor, the condition is called "Cushing’s disease".You might have Cushing's disease.
The measurement of ACTH and cortisol level(in blood ,urine and saliva) and a test called The overnight dexamethasone suppression test are necessary for the diagnosis.
Weight gain can also be a side effect of psych medications but in you case the weigh gain is a recent event,so it is improbable that it is related to your pschy meds and the cushing's syndrome or disease is the most probable diagnosis for you.
My advice is to do the tests as soon as possible for the confirmation of the diagnose and to start the treatment.
Hope my information is helpful for you.
If you have other questions, feel free and ask. I'll be happy to help.
Thank you for using HCM.
Wish you all the best.
Your pictures and your medical history are suggestive for Cushing's.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I read carefully your question and understood your concern.
I saw you pictures. Your weight gain(the fatty deposits, especially in the midsection and in your face) and the purple stretch marks can be attributed to Cushing syndrome.
The headache can be suggestive of a pituitary adenoma (an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma). A head MR scan is necessary to confirm or rule out this diagnosis.
When the cause of the excess cortisol is excess ACTH made by a pituitary tumor, the condition is called "Cushing’s disease".You might have Cushing's disease.
The measurement of ACTH and cortisol level(in blood ,urine and saliva) and a test called The overnight dexamethasone suppression test are necessary for the diagnosis.
Weight gain can also be a side effect of psych medications but in you case the weigh gain is a recent event,so it is improbable that it is related to your pschy meds and the cushing's syndrome or disease is the most probable diagnosis for you.
My advice is to do the tests as soon as possible for the confirmation of the diagnose and to start the treatment.
Hope my information is helpful for you.
If you have other questions, feel free and ask. I'll be happy to help.
Thank you for using HCM.
Wish you all the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi I wanted to also mention that a little bit of an adderall addiction.. Its been going for about 7 years... Keeping in mind everything i said before, Phyically/medically speaking could long term abuse of adderall be doingthis to me?
Brief Answer:
No,is not adderal the culpit.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Adderall contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
A common side effect of Adderal abuse is weigh loss ,so the long term abuse of this drug do not cause weight gain.
Cushing syndrome/disease is the most probable diagnose for you.
I suggest to do the hormonal tests(as we sais in our last discussion) as soon as possible to confirm the diagnose.(let me know about the test results)
Hope i have clarified your concern.
Take care.
No,is not adderal the culpit.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Adderall contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
A common side effect of Adderal abuse is weigh loss ,so the long term abuse of this drug do not cause weight gain.
Cushing syndrome/disease is the most probable diagnose for you.
I suggest to do the hormonal tests(as we sais in our last discussion) as soon as possible to confirm the diagnose.(let me know about the test results)
Hope i have clarified your concern.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi again.
Im really scared that the doctor wont take me seriously. No one believes me.. My parents think im having a manic episode, but Ive been 100% compliant on my meds.. I recently left my pyschcitrist but she gave me enough refills on meds to get me through till im able to find a replacement for her. I have no friends... I dont have a primary care doctor. basically my point is- i have no one to advocate for me. Im really scared. The stretch marks are painful and I get new ones every single day. I barely stand for more than a few mins, my legs and arms keep getting weaker..Since i have no primary care doctor i went to a walk in and they didnt take me seriously. I was honest about my bipolar and abuse of adderall and they basically told me i was delusional drug addict...
Im so scared. What should i do?
Im really scared that the doctor wont take me seriously. No one believes me.. My parents think im having a manic episode, but Ive been 100% compliant on my meds.. I recently left my pyschcitrist but she gave me enough refills on meds to get me through till im able to find a replacement for her. I have no friends... I dont have a primary care doctor. basically my point is- i have no one to advocate for me. Im really scared. The stretch marks are painful and I get new ones every single day. I barely stand for more than a few mins, my legs and arms keep getting weaker..Since i have no primary care doctor i went to a walk in and they didnt take me seriously. I was honest about my bipolar and abuse of adderall and they basically told me i was delusional drug addict...
Im so scared. What should i do?
Brief Answer:
I'm sorry that no one take you seriously.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear
I don't understand why the doctors don't take you seriously because from your medical; history and your symptoms is evident that you need medical help.
Anyway all i can say is Don't be scarred because this problems will disappear after some time(with the right treatement.)
I suggest to schedule an endocrinologist consult because you need to do some hormonal test to confirm the Cushing diagnose(these can't be done on line).
If you have other questions,feel free and ask.I will be happy to help.
You can ask me (every time you need help)at HealthCareMagic at my private link: bit.do/hcm-Dr-Xhardo.
Wish you all the best.
I'm sorry that no one take you seriously.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear
I don't understand why the doctors don't take you seriously because from your medical; history and your symptoms is evident that you need medical help.
Anyway all i can say is Don't be scarred because this problems will disappear after some time(with the right treatement.)
I suggest to schedule an endocrinologist consult because you need to do some hormonal test to confirm the Cushing diagnose(these can't be done on line).
If you have other questions,feel free and ask.I will be happy to help.
You can ask me (every time you need help)at HealthCareMagic at my private link: bit.do/hcm-Dr-Xhardo.
Wish you all the best.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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