Interview with Alicia, a Cushing's Message Board member who is still testing.

Alicia writes "But my life has changed significantly since my last interview, and I could talk about losing my job and applying for Social Security at such a young age. And the issues about self-esteem tied to career, and risk of depression and isolation. Let me know...will be right after my disability medical screening, I should have lots to talk about!"

Read Alicia's bio.
Listen to Archived Interview February 7, 2008.

Keywords: bi-polar, cortisol, Cushing's, diagnosis, disability, depression, infections, isolation, manic, meds, message boards, pituitary, pneumonia, psychosis, psychotic, self-esteem, Social Security, surgery, testing, treatment

Donna Sellers

Donna Sellers, President, John's Foundation for Cushing's Awareness, mother of a Cushing's patient.

Donna's son may have been born with an adrenal tumor. His tumor was discovered and removed about 4 years ago. Since that time, he has been diagnosed bipolar and ADHD. Because of John's ongoing medical issues, Donna home-schools him in addition to running the foundation she started and named for John. Donna helps children and families worldwide who are dealing with Cushing's.

Keywords: adrenal tumor, aggression, blood pressure, cardiologist, cortisol, Cushing's, diabetic, diagnosis, endocrinologist, malpractice, medications, moonface, MRI, occupational therapy, PCP, pediatric, puberty, scan, speech therapy, stroke, surgery, symptoms, testing, treatment

"DrDori", Dori Middleman, M.D.

Dr. Dori is a Psychophamacologist and a Certified Gestalt Psychotherapist in private practice seeing adults, children, and families in the Philadelphia area.

She also co-leads workshops and training at the Pennsylvania Gestalt Center and is Founder and Director of the Center for a Healthy World, a volunteer-driven psychotherapy and training cooperative. Dori is a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice seeing children, adults and families.

Naturally, her other significant credential is having had Cushing's Disease herself! She has had both pituitary surgery and two gamma knife radiosurgeries. Her topic in the first guest chat was Psychiatric Issues with Cushing's Disease.

Dr. Middleman was recently interviewed on a Philadelphia-area public radio talkshow, Voices in the Family, and spoke about Cushing's Disease and how to make meaning out of illness and adversity. The show is available for listening online by going to Listen here »

Read Dr. Dori Middleman's article How To Have Fun With A Brain Tumor.
Read Psychiatric Issues of Cushing's Patients
Read "DrDori", Dr. Dori Middleman's First Guest Chat, Psychiatric Issues with Cushing's Disease, April 14, 2004.

Keywords: Psychophamacologist, Certified Gestalt Psychotherapist, Patient, pituitary, surgery, gamma knife, radiosurgeries, treatments, medication, therapy, Cushing's, tumor, adenoma, growth hormone, energy, antidepressant, post-traumatic, relationships, emotions, steroids, sleep disturbance, depression, fatigue, anxiety

Heather S (heather_suite)

Heather S had pituitary surgery on January 18, 2006 after years of medical problems, June 5, 2008.

From Heather's bio: "I lived my life with cerebral palsy growing up.. I had problems with weight, but nothing really horrible like now. When I gained it was little bits, but with how active I was, I could never lose anything. When I turned 21 I graduated from college and was looking for employment, which was also difficult because people thought that I was in pain when I walked.

Around the age of 22 I started to see fluid retaining in my legs.. it wasnt so bad at first.. also in college I broke my bones in my feet 3 times for no real reason. The fluid in my legs started getting worse and worse and the fluid was just leaking out of my legs. I went to the emergency room and had no insurance so I was kind of unlucky there. I went to a primary care doctor and was told that I had lymphedema and was given fluid pills. They didn't really work..."

Read Heather's bio at http://www.cushings-help.com/heather_s.htm

Keywords: pituitary tumor, surgery, adenoma, cortisol, cushing's, diagnosis, endocrinologist, medications, message boards, MRI, PCP, pituitary, steroids, symptoms, testing, treatment