Re: PCOS..and possibly Cushing's Syndrome?
From: cat (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 14 Jul 2003 22:06:02 -0500 (CDT)
Actually it is fat, even if it is caused by cushings it is still a lump
of fat!
Anyway, I have the same thing and hate it too! I've had the 24 hour
cortisol test and a series of saliva cortisol tests and all were normal.
I am fairly sure that high levels of androgens cause fat to be laid down
around the neck and back, instead of in more feminine places like the
hips. (men and male animals show this type of fat distribution)
So, get the cortisol tests just to be sure its not cushings, but I think
pcos can cause it too. If you find out its not cushings you might want
to try treatments that reduce your androgen levels, eg spironolactone or
metformin again. How long were you on metformin for and what dosage? It
can take a long time to see results and you might need a higher dosage
than you were on?
Good luck!
Cat
At Fri, 11 Jul 2003, AH wrote:
>
>Good God! Fat! Who puts on weight in such a weird place! Whatever will
>these doctors think of next! Get the test, definitely.
>
>At Thu, 10 Jul 2003, Char wrote:
>>
>>It is true that Cushings Syndrome can cause very similar symptoms to
>>pcos, in addition to some of it's own clues.
>>
>>To ease your mind as to whether or not you may have it, see an
>>endocrinologist and ask for the 24-hour urine test to measure your
>>cortisol levels.
>>
>>At Wed, 9 Jul 2003, Laura24 wrote:
>>>
>>>Hi all!
>>>
>>>About 4 years ago I was offically diagnosed with PCOS--via ultrasound--
>>>(although I have suffered symptoms since puberty) and was put on all the
>>>standand meds (the pill, Glucophage) with really no improvement. I have
>>>since taken myself off them (my dr. knows this).
>>>
>>>Recently, I've been reading up on Cushing's Syndrome--a disorder where
>>>too much of the hormone Cortisol is in the body on a continual basis--
>>>which has very similar symptoms to PCOS. I really wouldn't have thought
>>>much of it if I didn't have one of the more marked symptoms of
>>>Cushing's. The symptom is a large hump (referred to as a "buffalo
>>>hump") on the upper back, right below the neck. It is very unattractive
>>>and is often a source of embarrasment for me. The dr. said it was just
>>>fat and should go away when I loose more weight, but I'm pretty worried
>>>anyway, it feels harder than fat. Cushing's Syndrome is pretty nasty
>>>and if I have it, I want to know so I can do something, anything, about
>>>it.
>>>My question is do any of you all have problems with a hump like this on
>>>your back and am I just being paranoid.
>>>Thanks
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