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PM visit today

Hey guys. Just an update. I'm going to see my PM today. This is my one month follow up after my last of 3 ESI's. My last appointment with her was the week of my last injection. I had almost no pain but my anxiety was really high. She said that was common and gave me some Xanax. I also told her I had gained 10+ pounds, all in my stomach and I look like I'm 5 months pregnant, and she said that was also common. I also mentioned that I had extreme dry mouth and no matter how much water I drank it never got any better. Guess what? Also common.

Well a month later I still have all those symptoms plus more. I looked up my symptoms and I have every single symptom of Cushing's syndrome. Except for the irregular period because I don't get my period because I'm on depo. Although I did have spotting a week or so ago which was weird because I haven't even had that since October, which is when I started depo. I've had a severe headache on the back left side of my head every morning when I wake up for over a week now. I have to take the max does of advil to even make a dent in it. It goes away during the day and comes back at night. My vision has also gotten really blurry. I wear glasses but only while I'm at work because I use a computer all day. But now I find myself having to wear my glasses at all times. I don't know if I'm being paranoid or if what I'm feeling is cause for alarm. I'm not the type to rush off to the doctor whenever I feel something is wrong. I usually wait it out and see if it will go away on it's own. I've even cut out every medication I'm on except for the Wellbutrin to see if any of this was cause by that. I'm really seriously thinking that I should go see my PMP, but I don't want to walk in and ask to be tested for Cushing's. From all the reading I've done, doctors think it's really rare and will blame it on anxiety.

Other than freaking myself out over that, my back pain is slowly coming back. Not as strong as before but it feels like it's getting more intense everyday. At the moment it's nothing that I can't live with, but I'm worried that I'm going to be right back where I started before the injections soon. I'm going to tell my PM this and see what she says. So I guess I'll update again on how my appointment goes. I'm not sure if I should mention my other symptoms to her. I do want to ask her how long the steroids stay in my system for though. I have a feeling once they are completely out I will feel better.

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Avatar universal
Thanks. If my symptoms continue I will get them checked out. But knowing me I will probably go months with these symptoms before I do anything. That's how I am.

So I just got back from my PM appointment. She's keeping me on the Mobic. She is getting me a TENS unit to try. And also gave me information on a neurostimulator. She told me that steroids might not be the best fit for me and that they will have to try other things. She said that because I'm only 26 she doesn't want me to have to have a lifetime of pain but hinted that it is a possibility. She said if I were older it would be a lot easier to treat me. I just hope that my pain stays where it is. I can deal with it right now since it's only at a 2 but if it gets any higher than I will have the neurostimulator put in.  
Helpful - 0
596605 tn?1369946627
Oh forgot to say that Cushings can be caused by steroid overuse BUT if there is some reason why you need the steroids an endo can advise on how to best dose you and see if maybe you are not making enough on your own.This could be Pituitary or Adrenal in nature too..so there is not a black and white line that says that it is against the law to use steroids for pain management but you do want to use the lowest effective dose that you can.
Hoselip
Helpful - 0
596605 tn?1369946627
Howdy-
It sounds like you might need to see a neuro-endocrinologist. This is a special kind of endocrinologist that would do the work up for Cushing's or other hormonal conditions that are linked to the pitutiary gland. Cushing's can be caused by a growth in the Pituitary gland. There are other conditions of the pituitary gland that mimc Cushing's too like Prolactinomas and Growth Hormone Excess etc.

The workup usually involves hormonal testing, a thorough history and an MRI. It is good to gather up and bring pictures of yourself from say the last ten years that show any of the physical changes.

I had a pituitary growth that was removed 4 years ago via a surgery that was done through my nose. Simple, short and sweet surgery that requires a VERY good surgeon.

Usually larger university type hospitals have Pituitary centers,

Send me a message if you need more help.
Horselip
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well she told me that they were going to be really aggressive with the amount of steroids that they gave me. Each shot was increased in the amount of steroids. Plus I've taken oral steroids within this past year to try and help. I'm going to ask her how long these take to get out of my system and see what she says and then I'll tell her why I want the steroids to be out of my body.
Helpful - 0
1187071 tn?1279369698
My mom was on oral steroids, the ER gave her WAY to high of a dose, she got her script filled and was taking them and then knew something was wrong so she went to her PCP and he said she is lucky to be alive cause she was on a way to high doses. He had to get her off of them little by little and she went thru withdrawl really bad. She got to the point she couldnt even email me which she does every single day. Im not saying this is happening to you cause you just got a shot.
I would just bring it up and see if she thinks you should see your PCP about it.
Jamie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well I've always done really well on depo. I've been on it 3 different times since I was 16. I've never gained weight on it and always stop my period completely. I've never had mood changes or anything like that. I just don't know if my PM is the right doctor to be bringing this all up to or if I should make an appointment with my PCP. Ever since I had these steroids put into my body it just feels like everything is breaking if that make sense. I can barley walk up the stairs to my office because my leg muscles are so weak and I feel like I'm going crazy.
Helpful - 0
1187071 tn?1279369698
I am so sorry your going thru this. I would ask your dr about everything, that way she can look into it. I hate that your back pain is coming back, even tho you had the injections. I would also make sure you tell her that.
I know depo can do some crazy stuff to your body. that is why I have never taken it. Alot of people I have talked to say they gain alot of weight on it and they also spot alot. I would ask about the Cushing's maybe they will test you just to make sure.
Let us know how it goes.
Jamie
Helpful - 0
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