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| Meet Gabriel |
The year was 2007 I was age 16 I
woke up like any other day went and played some games with my friends. That
night, something happened. It began with a small pain in my side that grew
stronger and stronger we went to the hospital thinking it was appendicitis.
It wasn't after a few tests and the pain not going away they (doctors) were
stumped as to what it was. I stayed in the hospital for about three weeks getting
tests done and nothing was found the pain stayed the only thing that was
wrong was my level of cortisol was slightly elevated.
A few months went by and many doctor visits
later nothing was concluded. Doctors were doing random strange tests and
nothing. One doctor wanted to start treating me for Addison’s disease which
is the opposite for Cushings but they were on the right tracks. About a year went
by and test after test being negative I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia my
body was exhausted and my mind was numb. After a year of testing to be told
nothing's wrong really made me sick. But like always, I moved on from it. I
rolled with it and I was treated for fibromyalgia with the help of sleep aid
and the knowledge of certain things that can trigger intense pain episodes.
Around the year of 2009 my sister was diagnosed
with a brain aneurism and had surgery. The doctors who were doing her tests
noticed a small link between mine and her results .She recovered from her
surgery. And began seeing an endocrinologist after a few months of testing
she was diagnosed with Cushings. During this time of her surgery and testings
I was trying to finish highschool and start college. The year was now 2011 I
was living my life with fybromyalgia but I began getting sick I remember
having an adrenaline rush and nearly passing out because of it something
wasn't right we were for sure of it. I began seeing my primary doctor letting
him know what was happening. I had weight gain, low immune system, blackouts
and pain. The doctor’s response was I was depressed. Cool story right.
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I sucked it up and dealt with it for another year. My
sister was diagnosed with Cushing’s and my parents noticed we had similar
symptoms and started and put two and two together. I made an appointment with
my sister’s endocrinologist and she noticed right away that something was
wrong. For me, I felt joy that someone was going to help. She noticed the
straie on my neck and underarms and jotted down my symptoms which included bone
pain, muscle weakness, excessive urination, thirst, fatigue, headaches, thin
skin, and bruising. I was text book
Cushing’s. They immediately started
testing me for Cushing’s. My first urine test was the worst they have ever
seen. My cortisol was sky high at a level over 70. Other family complications
that happened through the year put my treatment on hold. Meanwhile my sister
was able to participate in a cushings study with a medication that was new to
the market called Signifor, it was a daily injection that had the chances of
shrinking and stopping the growth of the tumor. After a year, her results were great;
she lost weight and looked healthy. I began going back to the doctor and had
more testing. My cortisol was really high around 60s. The levels made my body
constantly tired and sent my body into over drive. I did an MRI and Dxa scan. They
stuck a tube into my brain to see where the leak on the pituitary is. 3 months
later my results came back and the conclusion reached was that I had Cushings
Disease. I had multiple tumors but none were visible. That was why my body was
shooting out cortisol. My life flashed before my eyes. Years and years of waiting,
crying, and testing I finally had my answer. I got into the case study for CD.
I was the only guy
in my state to be diagnosed with CD at the age of 22 and my sister 19. We were
the talk of the town. Unfortunately testing requirements were very complicated
and I decided not to do the study and instead go for the medications. It took a
few months to get the medications since they were new and pricey. It was okay
to wait since I’ve been waiting for years. After 7 weeks I got my first order
of Signifor. I began taking the injections. The first injection made me vomit
and I continued to vomit after for two weeks. One morning I woke up smiling, I
no longer felt a lot pain in my body and my mind felt clear. I was on the road to recovery. After 2 months
of taking the medication I feel great. My mind is right; I still have pain for fibromyalgia.
I had my first adrenaline rush and didn’t pass out. My mental status is good I
have always stayed positive despite what has happened. I keep my mind away from
the depression. Now life is falling into place. The next thing I need to worry
about is what to do in life without wondering if tomorrow will be my last day
on this earth.
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