My husband had all of these issues for many years along with other health concerns, we just moved almost a year ago and my husband randomly lost nearly 80 lbs and nearly all of his health concerns diminished. He no longer has severe anxiety attacks when waking every morning any more. Blood pressure is completely normal and all of the darkness in his skin is nearly gone. We were living in a very stressful environment that was unsafe and I never knew how much stress could effect someone until we moved and I watched my husband change emotionally and physically in just a few short months.
@@justamom4902 I won't speak for you, but for me it wasn't a surprise. Its very simple. It cost less to live in the country, therefore it was less stressful. Also, less places to go nearby, so spent less money and ate out less.
@@bananawammabama perhaps, but also during the time they provide care. As a family nurse practitioner who spends many hours of my day in emergency rooms, I educate all I can both in the ER and on rounds. In my free time I answer questions and provide input to family, friends or anyone else when opportunity permits. Patient education is part of the job of a healthcare professional. I’m grateful for Dr. Dray’s content and simply wanted to express it.
This hit me hard. I did the same during the pandemic and lost 20 lbs., depression and anxiety lifted, skin cleared up, and inflammation went away. It’s amazing how our bodies heal when we aren’t exposed to toxic family members.
I am apparently very sensitive to cortisol. Every highly stressful period of my life has caused rapid weight gain no matter how little I eat, plus skin and hair issues. Once the stress goes away, so does the weight- immediately.
I found this video interesting. One cause you didn't mention and is the cause in many people with these signs, is extended emotional stress. A few people close to me have this "body shape" and all 8 symptoms, and they are all in abusive relationships. It is important to acknowledge that many physical symptoms have an emotional root cause.
You literally described what I had for the past 2 years. Its so crazy how I went many times to the doctors and they told me I was fine and put me on lots of antidepressants making me feel worse and gain tons of weight. I'm slowly getting better 😢
I understand totally where you're coming from. I asked my Dr. To check my hormone and cortisol levels ...all I got was excuses and reasons I didn't need to be tested as if I don't know or notice changes in my body. I told her I wasn't taking any antidepressants...I just want my levels checked!!
This stuff is so stressful (ironic, I know). Diet, skincare, lifestyle habits, supplementation is all within our control to some extent. I feel like a lot of us do struggle with the two things we cannot always control though that make many things nearly redundant - stress and sleep! I hope everyone is feeling mostly stress free today!
Ive been misdiagnosed for a few years from PCOS to a thyroid issue. My bloodwork finally came back abnormal for my cortisol level and I finally found a doctor who wants to do further testing. Feels like I’m finally getting relief after wondering all this time. I have the same symptoms too
Did they also look into cushings? Drs tried telling me I had pcos but I felt it was something else. Kept checking and I had a 4mm micro adenoma in my brain.
Developed Cushings disease immediately after pregnancy, had my adrenal glands removed after 2 yrs of looking for tumor. 18 yrs later a pituitary tumor was removed. Life has not been easy but truly blessed to be alive. Appreciate you spreading awareness!
I consider it very important to point out that increased stress as a consequence of trauma (PTSB!) can also lead to permanently increased cortisol levels. If the traumatic event occurs e.g. in the second year of life, the brain development can be disturbed in such a way that the stress level can no longer be lowered automatically. - From a doctor licenced in Germany, translated by deepl.
So I feel like this applies to me. I dealt with physical/emotional/sexual abuse from as young as 1.5ish… i go to therapy every week.. and I love my therapist but I feel like im still permanently stressed. How would one go about starting to heal from this???
This is me. It's called Pseudo Cushings. The symptoms and the diuration of the symptoms is severe. In my case all my life, every small stress will shoot my cortisol thru the roof. I have chronic CFS, Fibromialgya,.had severe depressive episodes, adrenal PCOS... When i am chill my wight starts falling off like crazy, skin is glowing, normal period.. It takes only one week of bad sleep or stress at work or too much exercise and boom! My body starts breaking down. It's chronic and can't be treated.
Thank you, Dr. Dray. This is a very thorough explanation of cortisol and the effects on the body when too high or too low. Cortisol testing is not something primary care doctors order routinely, even when asked. I think the adrenal glands are very often ignored. I have an apple shape (mostly belly fat), a hump on my upper back, which I attributed to osteoporosis and thinning hair at the top of my head. Adrenal fatigue is real!
@@snowblo1oh, and then there's the fact that PCOS is inherited. My great- grandmother had this, along with other hormone issues that are also inherited. She had nine surviving children,and numerous miscarriages ( early 1900's) so this disease can be passed down. The laws then forbade birth control, and abortion ( Comstock Laws)so this was common,and why many diseases are prevalent in a modern country like the U.S.
I care for a parent with Alzheimer’s and simultaneously have my only child starting college, whilst I am also entering menopause. It feels impossible to escape the high levels of stress occurring right now. Even with improving nutrition and increasing exercise there is only so much I can do. It’s tough
I hope you’re out of your stressful time, but I wanted to give you a suggestion for next time. If you don’t already, I recommend meditation. Even if it’s just deep breathing exercises for a minute before heading out the door or before bed. Whenever you can fit it in. If you have trouble falling asleep I like guided meditation videos
I recently came across cushing's syndrome (all symptoms you describe in this video) 3 years ago I was prescribed a highest dose inhaler for asthma prevention. Within 3 months my face changed, I developed a buffalo hump, gained a massive amount of weight in my trunk only, watched in realtime as stretchmarks appeared in column formations up my abdomen (I felt a burning in the shower - my skin was tearing/stretching right then and there) and a bunch of other odd symptoms. Despite all of these being pretty obvious signs of cortisol disruption, my doctor and myself put them all down to diet and exercise, despite me regularly lifting weights and eating within my calorie allowance. Not once was my inhaler mentioned. It seems so dumb now, but I did NOT know my inhaler was a high dose steroid, and I also did not know it wasn't meant to be used long term. So, 3 years of feeling like my body is failing me and believing it was because I was getting older and not "good" enough with food and exercise. Once I realised what cushing's was, I traced my timeline back to the start of the inhaler use and asked my doctor about it. Their answer? "ohhh, that makes sense. You shouldn't really be on really really high dose inhaler for too long, come off it today." This is after re-prescribing it all this time. Whilst the steroid withdrawal was hard, within 4 weeks I: - Saw the buffalo hump reduce drastically - Saw my jaw and cheekbones re-emerge almost fully from "moon face" - Dropped 3kg in weight I know it will take considerable time for other changes, like thin skin (I bruise at the slightest bump and usually the skin tears with it), quicker wound healing (cuts on my hands, legs and feet can take months to disappear) more weight loss etc I wish more people had access to information like this to allow them to make appropriate choices about their health and prescriptions. I relied on my doctor's advice, and it was severely lacking. I'm now rebuilding my perception of what I look like, what my body can do, 3 years too late. Thanks for sharing, @DrDrayzDay
Wtf what was the doctor thinking? I would have tried to sue that doctor for damages. I’m so glad my mother always told me to get a second opinion from doctors, they’re NOT always right. It pays to do your own research! 💯
I was diagnosed with Cushings Syndrome a couple years ago. It's believed I've had it over 30 years but I could never get help. It is not as rare as they make it sound! Mine is not as high as some. I can lose weight. I dont have diabetes. It has caused Osteoporosis and I've been exhausted half my life. Doctors need more information on this and need to consider it instead of dismissing people!
I had that lump on the backmof my neck thing. I couldn't loose weight no matter what i did. I had no clue i had stage 3 Metstatic thyroid cancer. Now i stay at a healthy weight and the hump is gone. My husband thought my neck was broke. 10yrs this Halloween. Newly subbed. Thank you.
Would you please consider doing a detailed video expanding on the interaction of the body's skin and insulin? I found your reference to the dermis being affected by insulin as a potentially fascinating topic. Thanks very much for the content you produce. It is most educational!
As someone who works in a veterinary hospital, we see this condition frequently in dogs and sometimes horses. They have the telltale signs of the distended abdomen, thin skin and hair and skin and ear yeast infections. Many times they are also diabetic. Generally, the cause is a benign tumor on the adrenal gland. Most people opt to treat with medication rather than surgery. This was interesting to hear that it affects people in much the same way. Thanks, Dr Dray. Happy Thursday! Hope you have a peaceful evening. 💜
I have had adrenal Insuffiency for 25 years. I must take prednisone and fludrocortisone daily to stay alive. The side effects you mention are very familiar. No doctor including my dermatologist or endocrinologist has taken the time to explain the skin conditions like you have in this video. Thank you for the great information.
Wow I literally have all the symptoms and I am now questioning whether it's high cortisol levels or PCOS, or both. This video just confirmed my high cortisol levels.
She is describing Cushings syndrome, which is how you get these extreme issues. However, you can have high cortisol and have more mild versions of this. Most doctors won't diagnose high cortisol until you actually qualify for Cushings. Go to a functional medicine doctor or a naturopath for a diagnosis of high or low cortisol.
Thank you for this important video , Dr Dray. Cushing's disease/syndrome is a terrible terrible illness! Too much cortisol effects *every* system in your body. It also causes insomnia , weight gain , disrupts your periods , you can't concentrate , it causes depression and mood swings , causes blurred vision , memory problems. It's so important to raise awareness! Patients are often dismissed because the doctors immediately blame everything on the weight gain and ignore everything else , when the weight gain is actually one of the symptoms , not the cause. I was dismissed and miss diagnosed for about 2 decades. I hope it'll change soon. We don't have to suffer for so long 💔
High stress levels cause high cortisol levels. That seems to me the main cause and I really wish you had gone into that in more depth! I work in social services with a very vulnerable population and have seen some of the signs you mentioned in people and very dangerous and unstable life situations.
CUSHING’s! My ex husband was a physician and missed this with me, for decades. He was taught that if it looks and sounds like a horse, it’s a horse. Cushings IS the zebra! Do your OWN research online, there are many forums ran by survivors. He would humiliate me at different appointments, saying it was all in my mind. No one would take me seriously. It took a neurosurgeon in California, independent bloodwork and high resolution, thin sliced imagery of the pituitary, and being read by someone with experience. I had no cortisol production left, nor any HGH, by the time I got someone to take me serious. I had gained over 70 pounds in only a couple months, initially, after being an elite athlete all of my life. I hope this helps someone else out there! I would never have even heard of this disease, but my son was 9 at the time, had seen my decline, and was the only one to believe me. He listened to Mysterious Diagnosis every day, while playing video games. My sweet boy saved my life. I hope this can save someone else’s. Centralized or truncal obesity, muscle weakness, red face, stretch marks, thin limbs, facial and body acne, facial and body hair, moon faced, fat hump on back, and more. You do NOT have to have all symptoms. My sister is an RN and laughed at me, when I told her I thought I might have it. No one knows your body better than YOU!
@@birdlover7776 , thank you! He has been nothing but a gift from the moment he got here and turns 26 this year. I would not be here without him. I told him he should consider going into medicine. He is incredibly smart. He said after seeing my ordeal, he has no faith in it.
May I ask how you were treated for Cushings? I have all of those symptoms you had, and I have a few weeks until I get a blood test to check if Cushings is the cause!
An additional cause is high stress! The specialist to see for hormone problems is an endocrinologist. I had several of these symptoms from extreme stress. My face ballooned up and I gained 20 lbs in my abdomen extremely fast despite eating my normal diet. It took a few months to see an endocrinologist and several more months for the cortisol to go down to normal.
Wow, how crazy, as long as I’ve watched your videos, you coincidentally put out this video. I just had surgery a month ago to remove my brain tumor. I was diagnosed with cushions disease. I currently have Addison’s disease only temporary until my body can start producing cortisol on its on . My dermatologist actually helped discover what was going on ❤ I to see a dermatologist for my bad acne. Along with a lot of other side effects mentioned in this video. One month post operation and a lot symptoms are going or have already gone away. 🙏🏽
@@TheMyisa Hi I’m doing really well thanks for asking. Things are getting better and I am pretty much off of my hormones. I have a follow up with endo this week so we’ll see what’s the update from there
I think it's important to mention that these symptoms can occur for completely different reasons as well. For example.stretch marks are not just a sign of skin thinning. I've known people who were prescribed steroid creams for rashes and only developed stretch marks in areas where those creams were topically applied. Stretch marks (as do most symptoms mentioned in this video) can be caused by several things, some of them have very little or nothing to do with an underlying disease.
People who have been narcissistically abused often produce too much cortisol from childhood onwards (CPTSD). Going No Contact with those with Clluster-B Personality Disorders and their 'Flying Monkeys' may help with this condition along with seeing a therapist who specializes in Narcissistic Abuse.
That's what I've been enduring for the last two years from malignant narcissistic landlords and flying monkeys, the entire care coordination department with my health insurance who have been playing intentional head games, stonewalling and gaslighting me, while intentionally withholding the services needed and the ghetto environment along with constant and deliberate noise that disrupts my sleep coming from the drug addicts/drug dealers above me and them smoking dope near my windows and patio.
Hi, pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease patient here! No stretch marks, no hump, my face never got that round, I didn’t have any of the extreme skin problems in your slides and that delayed my diagnosis for 20 years! The huge belly and thin limbs were definitely the first symptoms. The reason limbs stay thin is because cortisol breaks down protein. So we’re losing muscle as fast as we’re gaining fat. My face was red and drs said it was rosacea. Hmm, cure for rosacea must be tumor removal because I was as immediately white as a ghost! I have never heard any Cushing’s patient mention the bruising on back of hands or problem with this skin on knees and elbows. Excessive bruising in general, yes. I had terrible problems with healing. Before I was diagnosed, I had surgery on my leg and left with a 6 inch incision. Two weeks later, they removed the stitches and the whole thing opened up before I left the dr’s office! It was a mess and took forever. My scar is much worse than it would’ve been. My cats would accidentally scratch me and it could take weeks to heal. My hair definitely got thinner but not as bad as some of my friends. My hair stopped falling out post op. Cushing’s is a horrible disease. And many experts don’t think that it’s as rare as people claim. It’s just rarely diagnosed because they’re rarely testing for it. Especially, if someone doesn’t have all symptoms that you’ve described.
@maninhoeletronica I didn't get rid of it. Rarely is anyone cured. The first line of attack is brain surgery to remove the tumor that's releasing the hormone that signals the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol. They can't always remove it all and they're notorious for coming back. Some people have radiation or take one of a few very expensive medications to suppress the tumor or cortisol absorption. If nothing works, some people have their adrenal glands removed. Then they can't make cortisol or adrenaline and have to take synthetic steroids to live.
I had two brain surgeries to remove two tumors on my right anterior pituitary gland. My neurosurgeon removed the entire right anterior side. Four years later had gamma knife radiation on the remaining left side to destroy two new tumors and was diagnosed with panhypopiyuitarism and take 10 hormones my body no longer makes per pills and injections. What was your experience like with surgery as well as recovery?
@@maninhoeletronicait depends if it is Cushings Disease or Cushings Syndrome. The first is rare and is caused by pituitary tumors. The second is common and can be due to tumors or non tumors anywhere else in the body. I can only speak to my experience with Cushings Disease. It took me fifteen years to be diagnosed. The tests which my endocrinologist did were blood cortisol labs, 24 hour urine collection, salivary cortisol labs, dexamothozone suppression tests, MRI's, and IPSS (which was horrible). After this I had brain surgery twice and radiation. Your best bet is to get a referral to get to an endocrinologist. They specialize in hypo and hyper cortisolism diseases.
I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 16. I gained alot of weight really fast "not by over eating". My doctor always said it was the pcos. For some reason... High cortisol sounds more accurate. I had every symptom listed on high cortisol. 😶 I lost 200lbs. 3 years later I had my first of 6 children back to back. 😅 Now I am 37yo and it seems like my body is slowly going back. I had the gastric bypass in 2007. So now I need to learn how to lower cortisol.
As a pharmacist, often times my MD thinks I’m nuts when I try to look at CAUSES not treatments initially. High cortisol is a real problem and often we treat the effects and not the underlying cause. For instance, maybe your morning cortisol surge is causing severe anxiety so you are prescribed Xanax.
This was very informative. however I was really hoping you’d touch on how to lower cortisol levels for us who have most of the symptoms you talked about in this video.
Un interrupted Sleep, prayer, and a deep breathing technique by Wim Huf ( sp) the man that can hold his breath for minutes really decrease cortisol levels. As well as avoiding negative people, or smiling at what they say, and rejecting it in your mind immediately
I love this lady. She is such a great teacher. I don’t even suffer from obesity or anything mentioned in this video, but idk why I just find her videos intriguing and so informative. So I just started to watch it, because even though I don’t suffer from this, it’s great to know & maybe it’ll help out a friend or family member that has symptoms like these and don’t know why. And it could help with encouraging them to get some help from a doctor. 😊
This video would of been helpful for me 5 yrs ago at the height of my symptoms. Where my primary care physician just brushed everything off as normal. Hair thining, started growing chin hair, gained 50lbs though i hardly ate. Constant panic attacks & horrible skin issues like bouts of sudden severe acne & an intense skin burning sensation from hives. & forgot, an intense never-ending thirst.
Yep! I was the wife of a man with undiagnosed Cushing Disease. For 30 yrs we tried to find out what was wrong. By the time we found a doctor to listen to us, the body damage had been done. After a 39 yr marriage, he died of kidney failure 3 yrs ago. Unfortunately, our oldest daughter had a pituitary tumor, as well. No one believed that was possible. She had neurosurgery to remove her tumor, as well. But, the damage had been done to her too. She struggles daily with a multitude of health issues. Untreated Cushings destroys lives. Untreated Cushings kills!
I'm so sorry for your loss and everything that I know that you and your daughter are going through. I'm a Cushing's warrior. My gynecologist thought that I had it 1998. She sent me to the head of endocrinology at a top hospital in Los Angeles. He ran 24 hr urine, it was normal so he dismissed it. The next 8 endos over 20 years laughed it off. It wasn't until I was literally dying and couldn't finish my sentences from brain damage that a smart endo knew exactly what was going on. Of course, after having the tumor for at least 20 years, it had grown into the cavernous sinus, and they had to leave some behind. I'm going to be fighting this until it finally kills me. I hope that your daughter gets the treatment that she needs to have a good quality of life.
@@TheMyisa We write these stories so that people will know. Education is important, since the medical system has let so many of you down. One should not have to fight so hard with “professionals “ to receive a diagnosis and treatment! Unfortunately, my daughter’s quality of life is not too good. She now has no pituitary hormones produced by her body. She has to replace them all, which is very expensive and difficult. She has a myriad of health problems stemming from her years with Cushings Disease.
@@departmentofredundancydept4121 Thank you. I agree with you, except for one aspect. I belonged to an online support group for people with Cushings or who suspected they had it. We, as a group, had numerous people who knew the protocols for diagnosis. We knew who the endo’s who knew Cushings and the neurosurgeons who were the most experienced in pituitary surgeries. We knew how the blood tests needed to be run, so we taught lab technicians how to do them properly. i personally was the reason that three separate people went for a diagnosis. They all had Cushings. i could tell by their symptoms. It is my opinion that Cushings Disease is not so much rare but just rarely diagnosed.
I've just recently got my results from my Dutch test and found out my cortisol is through the roof. I've had consistent insomnia for months, which is what prompted me to dig deeper. My specialist has given me some tips. One thing interesting to me is everyone keeps talking about managing stress, which if you are truly stressed yes you need help managing it. I was telling the Dr I'm really not that stressed. I love my job. I have no children. The only way i could make myself any less stressed is to go on a permanent vacation. So now i just need to identify what else could be causing this massive eruption of cortisol.
The lack of sleep will elevate your cortisol. See with your doctor if you need a sleep study for apnea or other sleep disruption. Chronic insomniac for 40 years who got into sleep medicine to try and fix myself. I have night terrors and constantly in flight or fight mode. Best wishes
Oh man, as someone who suffered from Cushings disease, can totally relate to this video. and definitely brought back terrible memories. Im all back to normal now, after removing the tumor, but i had all those symptoms and wasnt fun at all.
I would love to see you do a video or series on hidradenitis Suppurativa. My husband and I both have it and it seems like such a multifaceted chronic skin disease. Almost everyone that I’ve exchanged stories with in support groups seems to have different triggers that cause the cysts and all seemed to develop the disease spontaneously.
I too have HS the only things that help me were fasting and taking low dose birth control pills to balance my hormones. I no longer take birth control but fasting helps tremendously. Hope this helps!
I am so glad this video came up in my feed and I watched it! Several symptoms I have had make sense now and can be connected to high cortisol. Thank you, Dr.
Thank you for this!! I was on prednisone long term as a young person and nothing prepares you for this. You hit everything I experienced and I wish this information was around when I was going through it
I had to take 25mg of prednisone for a week and it was my first experience with steroids at age 44 and it was terrible: I was constantly in state of hyper vigilance and agitation for 10 days in a row and I ended up sleeping only 4 hrs per night! Not to mention mood swings, crying for no reason and brain fog and poor concentration due to lack of sleep! I felt so "loaded" that I had the impression if I had to take it for another day, I'd explode!
I had Cushings syndrome. I had all of these symptoms with the exception of acanthosis nigricans. I weighed almost 300 pounds and I was miserable. This went on for six years until by sheer accident they discovered an adrenal tumor that was suppressing my adrenal gland which made the gland think it was blocked and therefore overproduced cortisol. Ultimately they removed my adrenal gland and initially they had to wean me down from the steroid my body had been producing. At first I had to have 100 mg prednisone AM AND PM. That is a massive dose of prednisone. I currently take no steroids at all. They weaned me down to none...I lost 180 pounds and I feel amazing and happy! Thank you modern medicine!
This was so helpful! I'm going to start drinking more lemon balm tea. I already do it when I feel stressed, because I know it lowers cortisol. But now I see there's more to it than just feeling stressed or not.
I experienced all of these symptoms as side effects of prednisone taken for lupus for years. Most of the symptoms have resolved since I’m finally off but my skin remains translucent on sides of torso and inner thighs. My moon face is gone but I still have a slight “hump” on back. I have some scarring from the acne as well. I’m thankful that prednisone was lifesaving but there’s definitely a cost.
My brother-in- law was just recently diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome. He had the classic symptoms. He also has a tumor on the pituitary gland. Testing showed that the high level of cortisol was not being caused by the tumor. Prior to being diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome he was getting a cortisone in his back monthly. He was put on medication and the shots in his back were stopped. Starting see a difference after a few days of medication.
You're so sharp..I'm quite elderly and to me you look like a sweet ,very smart young lady. I'm sure your loved ones are really proud of you. Thank you for sharing your educated insights here. I know you are well loved! Marcia in Modesto...(with lymphatic fluid leaking from a scratch on my ankle.... I've vowed to give up coffee and dairy..it's hard to get old girl
I never had cortisol spiking medicines but always had anxiety, handed down from my father's side gene. I have over 75% of what you've mentioned here and I have no clue how to get rid of weight (hump and the belly) it's been 7 years I'm not taking any pictures or letting anyone take mine cuz I used to be quite pretty once. Now I'm hideously out of shape.
Thank you so much for this. I'm enduring high stress AND perimenopause symptoms right now, and you've been the best source of information explaining what the heck is wrecking my appearance.
im 32 and have perimenopause symptoms as well! period has been normal all my life expcept for this past year, had to go on BC. periods where only 2 days long! hot flashes, cant sleep at night, thinning skin, its horrible. i have no clue whats wrong with me everythign comes back normal but yet its not
@Just Peachy This! We're expected just to put up with it. People don't realize how terrible the symptoms are. If men had to put up with this there would be a "cure" for perimenopause.
@@Kensie122 Tests for perimenopause is hard because of the fluctuations of hormones. I understand where you’re coming from. I’m going through it and I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism recently amongst other ailments. Sigh…. It’s not easy.
Thank you for this video. I do have a pituitary tumor that I have known about for the last 27 years. Luckily my symptoms are not extreme, and I now know what to keep an eye on.
Dr. Dray please make a video about topical steroid withdrawal, a lot of dermatologists tend to deny the existence of it... but the proof is in the pudding
Fascinating...so packed with information. I had high cortisol levels from stress during several periods of my life the most recent was the death of my mate of 41 years last Sept.. Prior to that I am told there were periods of high stress that resulted over my life in an atrophied thyroid gland with the ultimate result that half my thyroid gland was destroyed...it is now half normal size according to my endochrinologist. Four years ago my sons wife committed suicide leaving him with a young toddler son to raise. I was beside myself with worry and grief for them both. I had two rootcanals and twilight sleep was administered. The anethetist said during the procedure they almost had to stop midway because my blood pressure was fluctuating wildly, too high then too low. After the dental work due to exhaustion, I ended up in bed for 3 mos unable to go anywhere except the bathroom...I was a virtual invalid. Being 75 I thought it was age related and I had a great grandmother who was bedridden from nonspecific causes. She very well may have had what I turned out to have. Turned out I had hypothyroidism brought on by those periods of very bigh stress in my life: the deaths of all my immediate by age 16, the death of a husband when I was 31, then this situation with my son, plus a fairly stressful,but satisfying career as an academic and practicing clinical psychologist. I have been on thyroid medication and under good control for a couple of years before my mate died. I had a downturn due to that stress and collapsed a month after his death and it took many labs drs visits and a couple of mos to get my physical health back up. I had pernicious anemia. Recently I was under more minor stress: taxes, practical matters related to my recent widowhood and I forgot to take my increased thyroid meds for just a few days two or three. Suddenly my arthritis in my hip flared up badly and I developed a vaginal yeast infection and sleeplessness. Apparently my body is THAT sensitive to my dosage of Levothyroxine...I had had to up it from 50 mg to 75 when my mate died and then 100mg more recently. I was doing well til I forgot my meds. I THINK just 2 to 3 days so I now have to build my levels back up, deal with the yeast infection AND take joint inflammation meds. I forgot those too! Grrr our bodies can become very very senstivie to these levels all our hormones ...and some more than others. At least MINE certainly is now at 75! Thank you for all this information. Learning about all this has been a challenge even for me,an academic, since this is not my field. I cant imagine how tough it is for non academics unaccustomed to reading research articles or people without a scientific background...it is plenty tough for me! Sybil Francis PhD
Dr Dray I’d like to say Thank You so much for taking the time to educate us 🙏🏼 I absolutely love your videos and have been following your channel for a long time. Never stop doing what you do, we truly truly love and appreciate you ❤ God Bless.
This is one of those blessed days of my life ..i suffer from insulin resistant...same neck issues... steroid acne ...hair growth.....thanks so so so muc. I used all sort of skincare without knowing the root. Omg thanks , 🙏🙏🙏
OMG, you've just described me entirely. I have all of these symptoms. The hump on my back, the huge belly, the hair on my face, and lack thereof on my head. I have a lot of stretchmarks, and they're quite wide. The creases of my legs, and the underneath of my belly and breasts get moist, turn really dark, weep, and bleed. At the moment, I'm having a really hard time to get them to heal, even with steroid ointment, which has worked fine up till now. The skin is literally peeling off. I have had my doctor do bloodwork on this in the past, but they said they were normal at the time. I think I better have them done again. I look like I have no neck, as well! I'm 61, and I also have the acne as well. I'm ready to give up :(
@@fionaingram9043 I've tried them all. I think it has to do with the fact that I take methotrexate for psoriasis, and it's lowered my immune system, so I keep getting infections. Thank you for replying!
This is a great video. My son is has SAI due to a brain tumor. We went through a period of adjustment when replacing with hydrocortisone 3 x day. He was so sick before replacing. What a journey. I’ve definitely seen both ends of the spectrum
Super helpful info. I’d love to see you link this to trauma. I hit all these marks and grew up in a very traumatic household that carried into a very traumatic string of decisions in my 20’s. Only when I escaped the cycle of trauma and in theory my cortisol decreased did I see these signs dissipate.
For real still healing but worried bc took so long 10+years and with kids still dealing with father sucks bc once divorce turned into a custody battle that's when the war starts ugh. But yes finally have boundaries so yea dropped weight almost immediately after divorce. But still didn't take away the shape the skin issues and but working on it still get anxiety. Like how to take away the stress trauma?? Idk trying but stuff still replays
I wish you were my dermatologist.I have a small pheochromocytoma so I have to much cortisol and stress makes it go crazy and I have a stressful life. The surgery was going to be to much for me as I have lupus to so I just live with it. This was very informative
Some of these photos are of skin of color, but I don’t have any from deeper skin tones for this condition. When I have the photos, I always show them though because it is so important to see how things look on different skin tones
I have all these. The stress from having my 3rd baby during the pandemic, postpartum, nursing, up all night, getting 3-4 hours of sleep a day, and many many other stressors … I literally feel like I’m dying.
My mom suffered from high cortisol due to Cushing's syndrome. Even tho Cushing's is common in the adrenal glands hers were caused by tumors in the pituitary gland. She had to undergo 2 brain surgeries. Now she is trying to manage symptoms by medications.
I too have a large tumor on my pituitary gland discovered on a sinus CT scan. The MRI is this Tuesday. Were your mothers brain surgeries done through the sinus or skull? I pray her symptoms are now managed and under control? Any helpful pre-surgery tips you all may have are appreciated.
I have high levels of insulin but my endocrinologist said it’s not high enough to treat. I’ve gained weight, have the Buffalo hump, hirsutism, thinning hair, high levels of testosterone as well. Developed peripheral neuropathy. Everything always hurts!
Well what truly reduces cortisol levels then ? Because knowing you're stressed and have high cortisol levels doesn't help in reducing it funnily enough.
Sometimes surgery. Very high cortisol may be caused by a pituitary or adrenal adenocarcinoma. Unprocessed foods and exercise will not cure Cushing's disease.
Great info. Perhaps add info or extra video on how to solve the issue to balance cortisol to offer solutions. Also your voice seems to reveal nasal issues making it harder to listen for a long time despite the valuable info.
My husband had all of these issues for many years along with other health concerns, we just moved almost a year ago and my husband randomly lost nearly 80 lbs and nearly all of his health concerns diminished. He no longer has severe anxiety attacks when waking every morning any more. Blood pressure is completely normal and all of the darkness in his skin is nearly gone. We were living in a very stressful environment that was unsafe and I never knew how much stress could effect someone until we moved and I watched my husband change emotionally and physically in just a few short months.
I saw the same results with myself and my son after I moved us from the city to the country. Huge improvement. We clearly are just not city people.
@@justamom4902 I won't speak for you, but for me it wasn't a surprise. Its very simple. It cost less to live in the country, therefore it was less stressful. Also, less places to go nearby, so spent less money and ate out less.
congratulations to your husband and you for solving these life threatening conditions. best wish for continued good health
I am so happy for you! ❤
That’s so interesting. Do you mind sharing any of the specifics that were stressing him?
Wouldn’t it be nice if more healthcare professionals bothered to educate us like this??
Like, in their free time?
Yes! Thank you Dr Dray ❤
@@bananawammabama perhaps, but also during the time they provide care. As a family nurse practitioner who spends many hours of my day in emergency rooms, I educate all I can both in the ER and on rounds. In my free time I answer questions and provide input to family, friends or anyone else when opportunity permits. Patient education is part of the job of a healthcare professional. I’m grateful for Dr. Dray’s content and simply wanted to express it.
Yes, it would be nice. 🙂
Why not during your scheduled appointment that they’re being paid for? Isn’t that why you’re there? To get their medical expertise/opinion? 🤦♀️
People stress is the worst for weight gain. I cut the narcissists out of my life and have dropped nearly 60 pounds. The constant stress is gone.
Same situation. Its a journey. We need to keep on fighting for mental and physical wellbeing.
A testament to watch the company you keep....thankfully no hair or skin changes...great video thanks
GOOD FOR YOU!
I feel I need to do same. I have been thinking on similar lines past few days
This hit me hard. I did the same during the pandemic and lost 20 lbs., depression and anxiety lifted, skin cleared up, and inflammation went away. It’s amazing how our bodies heal when we aren’t exposed to toxic family members.
I am apparently very sensitive to cortisol. Every highly stressful period of my life has caused rapid weight gain no matter how little I eat, plus skin and hair issues. Once the stress goes away, so does the weight- immediately.
Same. ❤
Same here
I’m quite different.
Same here. 😢 that bull hump is my headache
In the same boat
I think a lot of people are probably running high cortisol right now with all that is going on in the US and the world!
💯 👍 👍 👍
I agree. They don't want us to be healthy. Gives big pharma more $$ .
Thanks to this worthless fake administration
Very TRUE
Yesss
I found this video interesting. One cause you didn't mention and is the cause in many people with these signs, is extended emotional stress. A few people close to me have this "body shape" and all 8 symptoms, and they are all in abusive relationships.
It is important to acknowledge that many physical symptoms have an emotional root cause.
Thank you that's what's wrong with some in the medical profession. Insufficient findings or none at all.
Oh yes
I get no where at the Dr. Just brushed off.
Abusive relationships literally make us hideous.
Sugar, alcohol. Why else would one's insulin skyrocket, and again and again until body builds up a tollerance.
You literally described what I had for the past 2 years. Its so crazy how I went many times to the doctors and they told me I was fine and put me on lots of antidepressants making me feel worse and gain tons of weight. I'm slowly getting better 😢
I understand totally where you're coming from. I asked my Dr. To check my hormone and cortisol levels ...all I got was excuses and reasons I didn't need to be tested as if I don't know or notice changes in my body. I told her I wasn't taking any antidepressants...I just want my levels checked!!
THEY push antidepressants on me for chronic pain n gaslight me every time so I quit going to the doctors altogether. Less stress!
🙏🙏
doctors nowadays aren't healers, they are like insurance agent listen direct order$ from pharmaceutical companies.
Carnivore eliminated my symptoms
Exercise cardio walking
More water
Vitamins
I dumped the effexor and anxiety meds 🙏
This video has been more helpful than 25 years of doctors visits.
Please do a video on what we can do to correct high cortisol levels.🙂
Reshi supplement at night with magnesium glycinate 💗 it’s helped me
@@ericarice4588 thank you 😊 I already do a Cortisol Manager that has ashwagandah and l-Theanine at night. I’ll have to give your suggestion a try.
I thought this would automatically be in the video😭
@@ericarice4588 can you share the brand/name of the supplement? Thanks
I es put on metformen for insulin resistance
This stuff is so stressful (ironic, I know). Diet, skincare, lifestyle habits, supplementation is all within our control to some extent. I feel like a lot of us do struggle with the two things we cannot always control though that make many things nearly redundant - stress and sleep! I hope everyone is feeling mostly stress free today!
Yes 👍🏻 let go and love your life better, Helps.
Hey were you having any sleep problems like severe insomnia ? Waken up for whole night ?
I would be interested in a follow up video outlining ways to decrease high cortisol levels.
Thats the point.
You just revealed something my doctors never mentioned. I can't thank you enough.
Ive been misdiagnosed for a few years from PCOS to a thyroid issue. My bloodwork finally came back abnormal for my cortisol level and I finally found a doctor who wants to do further testing. Feels like I’m finally getting relief after wondering all this time. I have the same symptoms too
You need to have b12 function testing.
2:42 ❤ 2:42 😢🎉❤❤❤😂
😂🎉😢😢😢😊😮😢🎉y😂🎉😮😮😅😅DIABETES. FIRST CAUSE OF PCO
Did they also look into cushings? Drs tried telling me I had pcos but I felt it was something else. Kept checking and I had a 4mm micro adenoma in my brain.
So much info. But there is hardly anything to take home in terms of how to handle. I find it just hot air….
Developed Cushings disease immediately after pregnancy, had my adrenal glands removed after 2 yrs of looking for tumor. 18 yrs later a pituitary tumor was removed. Life has not been easy but truly blessed to be alive.
Appreciate you spreading awareness!
Gosh I didn't know u could have it removed. Interesting.
Likewise, feel blessed every single day after transphenoidal then adrenatectomy
@@cebamy Are you on any medication after their removal? 🤔
@@vicky116, I’m on hydrocortisone
I have had the hump since I was a teenager and it has never gone away and I have autoimmune diseases now I am in my 40’s - thank you for your advice ❤
I have noticed I've developed in my later yrs
This was an eye opener. I have the bruising, the acne, the hair loss, the belly, the yeast issues...
Me too
@@camrobn
Me too, plus buffalo neck.
me too minus the bruising and acne, vitamin c and b vitamins have sorted that out
Wow, feel for you guys.
I consider it very important to point out that increased stress as a consequence of trauma (PTSB!) can also lead to permanently increased cortisol levels. If the traumatic event occurs e.g. in the second year of life, the brain development can be disturbed in such a way that the stress level can no longer be lowered automatically. - From a doctor licenced in Germany, translated by deepl.
So I feel like this applies to me. I dealt with physical/emotional/sexual abuse from as young as 1.5ish… i go to therapy every week.. and I love my therapist but I feel like im still permanently stressed. How would one go about starting to heal from this???
This is me. It's called Pseudo Cushings. The symptoms and the diuration of the symptoms is severe. In my case all my life, every small stress will shoot my cortisol thru the roof. I have chronic CFS, Fibromialgya,.had severe depressive episodes, adrenal PCOS... When i am chill my wight starts falling off like crazy, skin is glowing, normal period.. It takes only one week of bad sleep or stress at work or too much exercise and boom! My body starts breaking down. It's chronic and can't be treated.
Thank you, Dr. Dray. This is a very thorough explanation of cortisol and the effects on the body when too high or too low. Cortisol testing is not something primary care doctors order routinely, even when asked. I think the adrenal glands are very often ignored. I have an apple shape (mostly belly fat), a hump on my upper back, which I attributed to osteoporosis and thinning hair at the top of my head.
Adrenal fatigue is real!
Yes, Dr. Berg has discussed this as well. I've had PCOS & type 2 diabetic, and I also believe adrenal fatigue
@@snowblo1oh, and then there's the fact that PCOS is inherited. My great- grandmother had this, along with other hormone issues that are also inherited. She had nine surviving children,and numerous miscarriages ( early 1900's) so this disease can be passed down. The laws then forbade birth control, and abortion ( Comstock Laws)so this was common,and why many diseases are prevalent in a modern country like the U.S.
I care for a parent with Alzheimer’s and simultaneously have my only child starting college, whilst I am also entering menopause. It feels impossible to escape the high levels of stress occurring right now. Even with improving nutrition and increasing exercise there is only so much I can do. It’s tough
I hope things improve for you soon.
Aren’t there nursing homes to care for them?
I hope you’re out of your stressful time, but I wanted to give you a suggestion for next time. If you don’t already, I recommend meditation. Even if it’s just deep breathing exercises for a minute before heading out the door or before bed. Whenever you can fit it in. If you have trouble falling asleep I like guided meditation videos
Have you thought of microdosing.
I would never put a family member in a nursing home...ever@@Lovefreelylovefully
I recently came across cushing's syndrome (all symptoms you describe in this video) 3 years ago I was prescribed a highest dose inhaler for asthma prevention. Within 3 months my face changed, I developed a buffalo hump, gained a massive amount of weight in my trunk only, watched in realtime as stretchmarks appeared in column formations up my abdomen (I felt a burning in the shower - my skin was tearing/stretching right then and there) and a bunch of other odd symptoms. Despite all of these being pretty obvious signs of cortisol disruption, my doctor and myself put them all down to diet and exercise, despite me regularly lifting weights and eating within my calorie allowance. Not once was my inhaler mentioned. It seems so dumb now, but I did NOT know my inhaler was a high dose steroid, and I also did not know it wasn't meant to be used long term. So, 3 years of feeling like my body is failing me and believing it was because I was getting older and not "good" enough with food and exercise.
Once I realised what cushing's was, I traced my timeline back to the start of the inhaler use and asked my doctor about it. Their answer? "ohhh, that makes sense. You shouldn't really be on really really high dose inhaler for too long, come off it today." This is after re-prescribing it all this time. Whilst the steroid withdrawal was hard, within 4 weeks I:
- Saw the buffalo hump reduce drastically
- Saw my jaw and cheekbones re-emerge almost fully from "moon face"
- Dropped 3kg in weight
I know it will take considerable time for other changes, like thin skin (I bruise at the slightest bump and usually the skin tears with it), quicker wound healing (cuts on my hands, legs and feet can take months to disappear) more weight loss etc
I wish more people had access to information like this to allow them to make appropriate choices about their health and prescriptions. I relied on my doctor's advice, and it was severely lacking. I'm now rebuilding my perception of what I look like, what my body can do, 3 years too late.
Thanks for sharing, @DrDrayzDay
Wow!! I'm so glad you figured it out!
How did you figure it out
She is a doctor, she's studied this.
How mutch high was the dose? I also use an inhaler
Wtf what was the doctor thinking? I would have tried to sue that doctor for damages. I’m so glad my mother always told me to get a second opinion from doctors, they’re NOT always right. It pays to do your own research! 💯
I was diagnosed with Cushings Syndrome a couple years ago. It's believed I've had it over 30 years but I could never get help. It is not as rare as they make it sound!
Mine is not as high as some. I can lose weight. I dont have diabetes. It has caused Osteoporosis and I've been exhausted half my life. Doctors need more information on this and need to consider it instead of dismissing people!
I had that lump on the backmof my neck thing. I couldn't loose weight no matter what i did. I had no clue i had stage 3 Metstatic thyroid cancer. Now i stay at a healthy weight and the hump is gone. My husband thought my neck was broke. 10yrs this Halloween. Newly subbed. Thank you.
Would you please consider doing a detailed video expanding on the interaction of the body's skin and insulin? I found your reference to the dermis being affected by insulin as a potentially fascinating topic. Thanks very much for the content you produce. It is most educational!
See my video on signs of diabetes
@@DrDrayzday Maybe he means a video on sugar and the skin
@@jazbaker2786 I have a video on that too
You would like videos by Dr. Berg if you are interested in this topic.
As someone who works in a veterinary hospital, we see this condition frequently in dogs and sometimes horses. They have the telltale signs of the distended abdomen, thin skin and hair and skin and ear yeast infections. Many times they are also diabetic. Generally, the cause is a benign tumor on the adrenal gland. Most people opt to treat with medication rather than surgery. This was interesting to hear that it affects people in much the same way. Thanks, Dr Dray. Happy Thursday! Hope you have a peaceful evening. 💜
Surgery through the nostril and removal of the tumor corrects the problem!
Animals can be diabetic???
Why medication over surgery? What drug is prescribed?
The surgery requires a specialist and is very expensive. Vetoryl is the drug prescribed.
You’re referring to a pituitary tumor. Cushings is an adrenal gland issue.
I have had adrenal Insuffiency for 25 years. I must take prednisone and fludrocortisone daily to stay alive. The side effects you mention are very familiar. No doctor including my dermatologist or endocrinologist has taken the time to explain the skin conditions like you have in this video. Thank you for the great information.
My son has secondary AI from a brain tumor. It is a journey for sure! Replacement is tricky
Ditto
@@gracieolmedasepulveda2482 yes I take fludrocortisone daily.
@@gracieolmedasepulveda2482 my levels were zero when I was diagnosed with primary Adrenal Insuffiency.
Wow I literally have all the symptoms and I am now questioning whether it's high cortisol levels or PCOS, or both. This video just confirmed my high cortisol levels.
As opposed to figuratively having all the symptoms?
She is describing Cushings syndrome, which is how you get these extreme issues. However, you can have high cortisol and have more mild versions of this. Most doctors won't diagnose high cortisol until you actually qualify for Cushings. Go to a functional medicine doctor or a naturopath for a diagnosis of high or low cortisol.
Thank you for this important video , Dr Dray. Cushing's disease/syndrome is a terrible terrible illness!
Too much cortisol effects *every* system in your body. It also causes insomnia , weight gain , disrupts your periods , you can't concentrate , it causes depression and mood swings , causes blurred vision , memory problems. It's so important to raise awareness! Patients are often dismissed because the doctors immediately blame everything on the weight gain and ignore everything else , when the weight gain is actually one of the symptoms , not the cause. I was dismissed and miss diagnosed for about 2 decades. I hope it'll change soon. We don't have to suffer for so long 💔
That’s a terrible shame. I wish you a good life
@@M_SC Thank you, you as well!
Yeah, but what's the solution? My doctor isn't too bright, I'm finding out.
Yeah, but what's the solution? My doctor isn't too bright, I'm finding out.
Yeah, but what's the solution? My doctor isn't too bright, I'm finding out.
High stress levels cause high cortisol levels. That seems to me the main cause and I really wish you had gone into that in more depth! I work in social services with a very vulnerable population and have seen some of the signs you mentioned in people and very dangerous and unstable life situations.
I work in healthcare-same thing minus the physically dangerous situations. I stay stressed 24/7.
CUSHING’s! My ex husband was a physician and missed this with me, for decades. He was taught that if it looks and sounds like a horse, it’s a horse. Cushings IS the zebra! Do your OWN research online, there are many forums ran by survivors. He would humiliate me at different appointments, saying it was all in my mind. No one would take me seriously. It took a neurosurgeon in California, independent bloodwork and high resolution, thin sliced imagery of the pituitary, and being read by someone with experience. I had no cortisol production left, nor any HGH, by the time I got someone to take me serious. I had gained over 70 pounds in only a couple months, initially, after being an elite athlete all of my life. I hope this helps someone else out there! I would never have even heard of this disease, but my son was 9 at the time, had seen my decline, and was the only one to believe me. He listened to Mysterious Diagnosis every day, while playing video games. My sweet boy saved my life. I hope this can save someone else’s. Centralized or truncal obesity, muscle weakness, red face, stretch marks, thin limbs, facial and body acne, facial and body hair, moon faced, fat hump on back, and more. You do NOT have to have all symptoms. My sister is an RN and laughed at me, when I told her I thought I might have it. No one knows your body better than YOU!
It can be caused by stress or pituitary adenoma.. I wanted to add that.
What a wonderful son you have🌸
@@birdlover7776 , thank you! He has been nothing but a gift from the moment he got here and turns 26 this year. I would not be here without him. I told him he should consider going into medicine. He is incredibly smart. He said after seeing my ordeal, he has no faith in it.
May I ask how you were treated for Cushings? I have all of those symptoms you had, and I have a few weeks until I get a blood test to check if Cushings is the cause!
@It’sMe
An additional cause is high stress! The specialist to see for hormone problems is an endocrinologist. I had several of these symptoms from extreme stress. My face ballooned up and I gained 20 lbs in my abdomen extremely fast despite eating my normal diet. It took a few months to see an endocrinologist and several more months for the cortisol to go down to normal.
And did they prescribe?
@@livics610 Yes, thyroid hormones which weren’t working properly. I also reduced my stress levels.
This is what I am going through right now ❤
Stress kills.
@@EliseGiammanco you can heal. It takes time. Be super nice to yourself❤️
Wow, how crazy, as long as I’ve watched your videos, you coincidentally put out this video. I just had surgery a month ago to remove my brain tumor. I was diagnosed with cushions disease. I currently have Addison’s disease only temporary until my body can start producing cortisol on its on . My dermatologist actually helped discover what was going on ❤ I to see a dermatologist for my bad acne. Along with a lot of other side effects mentioned in this video. One month post operation and a lot symptoms are going or have already gone away. 🙏🏽
Glad to hear you got the right diagnosis & proper treatment!
Hi, fellow Cushie! How are you feeling?
@@TheMyisa Hi I’m doing really well thanks for asking. Things are getting better and I am pretty much off of my hormones. I have a follow up with endo this week so we’ll see what’s the update from there
I think it's important to mention that these symptoms can occur for completely different reasons as well. For example.stretch marks are not just a sign of skin thinning. I've known people who were prescribed steroid creams for rashes and only developed stretch marks in areas where those creams were topically applied. Stretch marks (as do most symptoms mentioned in this video) can be caused by several things, some of them have very little or nothing to do with an underlying disease.
People who have been narcissistically abused often produce too much cortisol from childhood onwards (CPTSD). Going No Contact with those with Clluster-B Personality Disorders and their 'Flying Monkeys' may help with this condition along with seeing a therapist who specializes in Narcissistic Abuse.
That's what I've been enduring for the last two years from malignant narcissistic landlords and flying monkeys, the entire care coordination department with my health insurance who have been playing intentional head games, stonewalling and gaslighting me, while intentionally withholding the services needed and the ghetto environment along with constant and deliberate noise that disrupts my sleep coming from the drug addicts/drug dealers above me and them smoking dope near my windows and patio.
@@nmHispanaWishing you peace and protection, my friend.
Wow. Been dealing with narcissistic abuse for 21 years. I am experiencing almost every symptom in this video along with depression/despair
Love this
This is what Im going through from an abusive childhood.
Hi, pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease patient here! No stretch marks, no hump, my face never got that round, I didn’t have any of the extreme skin problems in your slides and that delayed my diagnosis for 20 years! The huge belly and thin limbs were definitely the first symptoms. The reason limbs stay thin is because cortisol breaks down protein. So we’re losing muscle as fast as we’re gaining fat.
My face was red and drs said it was rosacea. Hmm, cure for rosacea must be tumor removal because I was as immediately white as a ghost!
I have never heard any Cushing’s patient mention the bruising on back of hands or problem with this skin on knees and elbows. Excessive bruising in general, yes. I had terrible problems with healing. Before I was diagnosed, I had surgery on my leg and left with a 6 inch incision. Two weeks later, they removed the stitches and the whole thing opened up before I left the dr’s office! It was a mess and took forever. My scar is much worse than it would’ve been. My cats would accidentally scratch me and it could take weeks to heal. My hair definitely got thinner but not as bad as some of my friends. My hair stopped falling out post op. Cushing’s is a horrible disease. And many experts don’t think that it’s as rare as people claim. It’s just rarely diagnosed because they’re rarely testing for it. Especially, if someone doesn’t have all symptoms that you’ve described.
What did you do to get rid of Cushing?
@maninhoeletronica I didn't get rid of it. Rarely is anyone cured. The first line of attack is brain surgery to remove the tumor that's releasing the hormone that signals the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol. They can't always remove it all and they're notorious for coming back. Some people have radiation or take one of a few very expensive medications to suppress the tumor or cortisol absorption.
If nothing works, some people have their adrenal glands removed. Then they can't make cortisol or adrenaline and have to take synthetic steroids to live.
@@maninhoeletronicaCushing’s disease is caused by a pituitary tumor. They probably had it removed.
I had two brain surgeries to remove two tumors on my right anterior pituitary gland. My neurosurgeon removed the entire right anterior side. Four years later had gamma knife radiation on the remaining left side to destroy two new tumors and was diagnosed with panhypopiyuitarism and take 10 hormones my body no longer makes per pills and injections.
What was your experience like with surgery as well as recovery?
@@maninhoeletronicait depends if it is Cushings Disease or Cushings Syndrome. The first is rare and is caused by pituitary tumors. The second is common and can be due to tumors or non tumors anywhere else in the body.
I can only speak to my experience with Cushings Disease. It took me fifteen years to be diagnosed. The tests which my endocrinologist did were blood cortisol labs, 24 hour urine collection, salivary cortisol labs, dexamothozone suppression tests, MRI's, and IPSS (which was horrible). After this I had brain surgery twice and radiation.
Your best bet is to get a referral to get to an endocrinologist. They specialize in hypo and hyper cortisolism diseases.
This is a good informational article about Cortisol. Most doctors ignore the weight gain,or skin bruises.
I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 16. I gained alot of weight really fast "not by over eating". My doctor always said it was the pcos. For some reason... High cortisol sounds more accurate. I had every symptom listed on high cortisol. 😶 I lost 200lbs. 3 years later I had my first of 6 children back to back. 😅
Now I am 37yo and it seems like my body is slowly going back. I had the gastric bypass in 2007. So now I need to learn how to lower cortisol.
Keto, Ketovore, Carnivore
People with PCOS often also have insulin resistance and slow metabolism.
Ppl with PCOS often have high cortisol levels because of the insulin resistance, try ashwaganda for lowering your cortisol. I sleep like a baby now
I got help from magnesium oxide 500mg x2 a day
@nellim9239 Yes, everyone should be taking magnesium complex.
As a pharmacist, often times my MD thinks I’m nuts when I try to look at CAUSES not treatments initially. High cortisol is a real problem and often we treat the effects and not the underlying cause. For instance, maybe your morning cortisol surge is causing severe anxiety so you are prescribed Xanax.
You have a very very optimistic trust in Dermatologists 🙂
I appreciate Dr. Dray touching on several skin conditions due to many underlying issues.
This was very informative. however I was really hoping you’d touch on how to lower cortisol levels for us who have most of the symptoms you talked about in this video.
Research pantothenic acid
@@reneejames3325 What does that do for cortisol levels?
Look up adrenal cocktail, seriously, my daughter and I are going to do this recipe.
@@kp76333 Please share link
Un interrupted Sleep, prayer, and a deep breathing technique by Wim Huf ( sp) the man that can hold his breath for minutes really decrease cortisol levels. As well as avoiding negative people, or smiling at what they say, and rejecting it in your mind immediately
How do poor sleeping habits attribute to cortisol levels? Thank you for today's video 💕
I love this lady. She is such a great teacher. I don’t even suffer from obesity or anything mentioned in this video, but idk why I just find her videos intriguing and so informative. So I just started to watch it, because even though I don’t suffer from this, it’s great to know & maybe it’ll help out a friend or family member that has symptoms like these and don’t know why. And it could help with encouraging them to get some help from a doctor. 😊
I have 4 of these symptoms and have been very stressed...now everything makes sense! So lucky I stumble with this video
I love how this is the 1st video I ever found that explains body changes with cortisol. I needed this thank you
Thank you for this informative video. Can you do a video on how to lower cortisol levels?
Unfortunately most women who deal with pcos often have high cortisol levels. It's really difficult to manage 😓
This video would of been helpful for me 5 yrs ago at the height of my symptoms. Where my primary care physician just brushed everything off as normal. Hair thining, started growing chin hair, gained 50lbs though i hardly ate. Constant panic attacks & horrible skin issues like bouts of sudden severe acne & an intense skin burning sensation from hives. & forgot, an intense never-ending thirst.
My horse has Cushing’s syndrome, he needs medication every day. 26 years old and still full of energy 🐴❤️
My sister has it, and it's so sad 😞
Yep! I was the wife of a man with undiagnosed Cushing Disease. For 30 yrs we tried to find out what was wrong. By the time we found a doctor to listen to us, the body damage had been done. After a 39 yr marriage, he died of kidney failure 3 yrs ago.
Unfortunately, our oldest daughter had a pituitary tumor, as well. No one believed that was possible. She had neurosurgery to remove her tumor, as well. But, the damage had been done to her too. She struggles daily with a multitude of health issues.
Untreated Cushings destroys lives. Untreated Cushings kills!
I'm so sorry for your loss and everything that I know that you and your daughter are going through. I'm a Cushing's warrior. My gynecologist thought that I had it 1998. She sent me to the head of endocrinology at a top hospital in Los Angeles. He ran 24 hr urine, it was normal so he dismissed it. The next 8 endos over 20 years laughed it off. It wasn't until I was literally dying and couldn't finish my sentences from brain damage that a smart endo knew exactly what was going on. Of course, after having the tumor for at least 20 years, it had grown into the cavernous sinus, and they had to leave some behind. I'm going to be fighting this until it finally kills me.
I hope that your daughter gets the treatment that she needs to have a good quality of life.
@@TheMyisa We write these stories so that people will know. Education is important, since the medical system has let so many of you down. One should not have to fight so hard with “professionals “ to receive a diagnosis and treatment!
Unfortunately, my daughter’s quality of life is not too good. She now has no pituitary hormones produced by her body. She has to replace them all, which is very expensive and difficult. She has a myriad of health problems stemming from her years with Cushings Disease.
@@departmentofredundancydept4121 Thank you. I agree with you, except for one aspect.
I belonged to an online support group for people with Cushings or who suspected they had it. We, as a group, had numerous people who knew the protocols for diagnosis. We knew who the endo’s who knew Cushings and the neurosurgeons who were the most experienced in pituitary surgeries. We knew how the blood tests needed to be run, so we taught lab technicians how to do them properly.
i personally was the reason that three separate people went for a diagnosis. They all had Cushings. i could tell by their symptoms.
It is my opinion that Cushings Disease is not so much rare but just rarely diagnosed.
@@departmentofredundancydept4121 Yes, I now see what you are saying. ☺️
I get si frustrated with disinterested doctors. Many were pushed into by their parents.. their heart is not in their job. .
I've just recently got my results from my Dutch test and found out my cortisol is through the roof. I've had consistent insomnia for months, which is what prompted me to dig deeper. My specialist has given me some tips. One thing interesting to me is everyone keeps talking about managing stress, which if you are truly stressed yes you need help managing it. I was telling the Dr I'm really not that stressed. I love my job. I have no children. The only way i could make myself any less stressed is to go on a permanent vacation. So now i just need to identify what else could be causing this massive eruption of cortisol.
a Hidden stressor. Possibly parasites, bacterica overgrowth, fungi, hormonal imbalances, etc., Lots of reasons .
Have you had a food sensitivity test? Hpyersensitivities to some foods, spices,chemicals can also cause spike in cortisol levels.
@@janisloomis1894food sensitivity tests are a cash grab. They’re not legit.
The lack of sleep will elevate your cortisol.
See with your doctor if you need a sleep study for apnea or other sleep disruption.
Chronic insomniac for 40 years who got into sleep medicine to try and fix myself.
I have night terrors and constantly in flight or fight mode.
Best wishes
What is a Dutch test?
Oh man, as someone who suffered from Cushings disease, can totally relate to this video. and definitely brought back terrible memories. Im all back to normal now, after removing the tumor, but i had all those symptoms and wasnt fun at all.
Where you taking Prednisone?
@@anaayala8004 no, i had a micro adenoma in my pituitary, that was producing the hormone ACTH which acts on the adrenals to produce Cortisol
Hello did you have digestive issues ? Or bloating? 🙏
@@RealZayComo hmm no, i did not.
Did ur stretch marks go away??😢
I have a lot of these symptoms but I have noticed some improvement since I stopped eating meat and cut out a lot of oil and high fat foods.
I would love to see you do a video or series on hidradenitis Suppurativa. My husband and I both have it and it seems like such a multifaceted chronic skin disease. Almost everyone that I’ve exchanged stories with in support groups seems to have different triggers that cause the cysts and all seemed to develop the disease spontaneously.
I second this. I have it on my hands, it manifest more in the heat.
I too have HS the only things that help me were fasting and taking low dose birth control pills to balance my hormones. I no longer take birth control but fasting helps tremendously. Hope this helps!
I am so glad this video came up in my feed and I watched it! Several symptoms I have had make sense now and can be connected to high cortisol. Thank you, Dr.
Thank you for this!! I was on prednisone long term as a young person and nothing prepares you for this. You hit everything I experienced and I wish this information was around when I was going through it
Me too.
I had to take 25mg of prednisone for a week and it was my first experience with steroids at age 44 and it was terrible: I was constantly in state of hyper vigilance and agitation for 10 days in a row and I ended up sleeping only 4 hrs per night! Not to mention mood swings, crying for no reason and brain fog and poor concentration due to lack of sleep! I felt so "loaded" that I had the impression if I had to take it for another day, I'd explode!
Same here..
😂😂😂😂 they only do for a week
Same here
Whew Lord yes I have this! Blood sugar control helps, Im prediabetic and this is a sign/symptom.
I had Cushings syndrome. I had all of these symptoms with the exception of acanthosis nigricans. I weighed almost 300 pounds and I was miserable. This went on for six years until by sheer accident they discovered an adrenal tumor that was suppressing my adrenal gland which made the gland think it was blocked and therefore overproduced cortisol. Ultimately they removed my adrenal gland and initially they had to wean me down from the steroid my body had been producing. At first I had to have 100 mg prednisone AM AND PM. That is a massive dose of prednisone. I currently take no steroids at all. They weaned me down to none...I lost 180 pounds and I feel amazing and happy! Thank you modern medicine!
Thank you, Dr. Dray. I’m looking to leave nursing because of this. I’ve cut my hours back by half. I feel better! To stressful.
Dr Dray is amazing. She always gives the best information. Never misses!
This was so helpful! I'm going to start drinking more lemon balm tea. I already do it when I feel stressed, because I know it lowers cortisol. But now I see there's more to it than just feeling stressed or not.
I experienced all of these symptoms as side effects of prednisone taken for lupus for years. Most of the symptoms have resolved since I’m finally off but my skin remains translucent on sides of torso and inner thighs. My moon face is gone but I still have a slight “hump” on back. I have some scarring from the acne as well. I’m thankful that prednisone was lifesaving but there’s definitely a cost.
I never would’ve started it if I’d known what it would do and that I wouldn’t be able to get all the way off of it
My brother-in- law was just recently diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome. He had the classic symptoms. He also has a tumor on the pituitary gland. Testing showed that the high level of cortisol was not being caused by the tumor. Prior to being diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome he was getting a cortisone in his back monthly. He was put on medication and the shots in his back were stopped. Starting see a difference after a few days of medication.
What is the difference between this and pcos because it sounds super similar great video!
You're so sharp..I'm quite elderly and to me you look like a sweet ,very smart young lady. I'm sure your loved ones are really proud of you. Thank you for sharing your educated insights here. I know you are well loved! Marcia in Modesto...(with lymphatic fluid leaking from a scratch on my ankle.... I've vowed to give up coffee and dairy..it's hard to get old girl
I never had cortisol spiking medicines but always had anxiety, handed down from my father's side gene.
I have over 75% of what you've mentioned here and I have no clue how to get rid of weight (hump and the belly) it's been 7 years I'm not taking any pictures or letting anyone take mine cuz I used to be quite pretty once. Now I'm hideously out of shape.
this is the video series keeping my hypochondria in check
How?! Isn’t it increasing it?!
I have been type 1 diabetic for 22 years and i have so many of these skin conditions 😢 I wish it was easier to manage
This woman is very informative and knowledgeable.
Yeah a previous partner would get triggered so easily and would yell and get mad almost daily and I definitely saw these symptoms in him.
Minnie Driver over here caring about our health ❤
Thank you so much for this. I'm enduring high stress AND perimenopause symptoms right now, and you've been the best source of information explaining what the heck is wrecking my appearance.
I’m in perimenopause and my chin has broke out bad lately.
+1
im 32 and have perimenopause symptoms as well! period has been normal all my life expcept for this past year, had to go on BC. periods where only 2 days long! hot flashes, cant sleep at night, thinning skin, its horrible. i have no clue whats wrong with me everythign comes back normal but yet its not
@Just Peachy This! We're expected just to put up with it. People don't realize how terrible the symptoms are. If men had to put up with this there would be a "cure" for perimenopause.
@@Kensie122 Tests for perimenopause is hard because of the fluctuations of hormones. I understand where you’re coming from. I’m going through it and I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism recently amongst other ailments. Sigh…. It’s not easy.
You inspire me to get into dermatology! Thank you for your videos ♥️
thanks for watching
I have Cushing's syndrome, so i truly am grateful you made this video! ❤
I had it too...I'm better now but its rare to see anything on this topic so I'm grateful to see it too!
Did you guys have tumors removed?
Brilliant video. Thank you for the information dr Dray. I wish more doctors would be this thorough.
Omg this video was so stressful but I had to watch it till the end. I was dying to know. Good night and thanks for your work
Woooooowwww, if only I had known about this when these signs manifested around 30 years ago 😭
Thank you for this video. I do have a pituitary tumor that I have known about for the last 27 years. Luckily my symptoms are not extreme, and I now know what to keep an eye on.
I just went to the doc this week and had previously had a MRI about the hump. My doc said nothing. I will be trying holy basil today !
With that said... how do we treat and get rid of these symptoms? How do we get rid of cushings?
Dr. Dray please make a video about topical steroid withdrawal, a lot of dermatologists tend to deny the existence of it... but the proof is in the pudding
Fascinating...so packed with information. I had high cortisol levels from stress during several periods of my life the most recent was the death of my mate of 41 years last Sept.. Prior to that I am told there were periods of high stress that resulted over my life in an atrophied thyroid gland with the ultimate result that half my thyroid gland was destroyed...it is now half normal size according to my endochrinologist.
Four years ago my sons wife committed suicide leaving him with a young toddler son to raise. I was beside myself with worry and grief for them both. I had two rootcanals and twilight sleep was administered. The anethetist said during the procedure they almost had to stop midway because my blood pressure was fluctuating wildly, too high then too low. After the dental work due to exhaustion, I ended up in bed for 3 mos unable to go anywhere except the bathroom...I was a virtual invalid.
Being 75 I thought it was age related and I had a great grandmother who was bedridden from nonspecific causes. She very well may have had what I turned out to have.
Turned out I had hypothyroidism brought on by those periods of very bigh stress in my life: the deaths of all my immediate by age 16, the death of a husband when I was 31, then this situation with my son, plus a fairly stressful,but satisfying career as an academic and practicing clinical psychologist.
I have been on thyroid medication and under good control for a couple of years before my mate died. I had a downturn due to that stress and collapsed a month after his death and it took many labs drs visits and a couple of mos to get my physical health back up. I had pernicious anemia.
Recently I was under more minor stress: taxes, practical matters related to my recent widowhood and I forgot to take my increased thyroid meds for just a few days two or three. Suddenly my arthritis in my hip flared up badly and I developed a vaginal yeast infection and sleeplessness.
Apparently my body is THAT sensitive to my dosage of Levothyroxine...I had had
to up it from 50 mg to 75 when my mate died and then 100mg more recently. I was doing well til I forgot my meds. I THINK just 2 to 3 days so I now have to build my levels back up, deal with the yeast infection AND take joint inflammation meds. I forgot those too! Grrr our bodies can become very very senstivie to these levels all our hormones ...and some more than others. At least MINE certainly is now at 75!
Thank you for all this information. Learning about all this has been a challenge even for me,an academic, since this is not my field. I cant imagine how tough it is for non academics unaccustomed to reading research articles or people without a scientific background...it is plenty tough for me!
Sybil Francis PhD
My heart goes out to you, your story made me cry. I wish you the very best, much healing for you and your family.
Dr Dray I’d like to say Thank You so much for taking the time to educate us 🙏🏼 I absolutely love your videos and have been following your channel for a long time. Never stop doing what you do, we truly truly love and appreciate you ❤ God Bless.
How is this treated? What do Doctors order?
This is one of those blessed days of my life ..i suffer from insulin resistant...same neck issues... steroid acne ...hair growth.....thanks so so so muc. I used all sort of skincare without knowing the root. Omg thanks , 🙏🙏🙏
OMG, you've just described me entirely. I have all of these symptoms. The hump on my back, the huge belly, the hair on my face, and lack thereof on my head. I have a lot of stretchmarks, and they're quite wide. The creases of my legs, and the underneath of my belly and breasts get moist, turn really dark, weep, and bleed. At the moment, I'm having a really hard time to get them to heal, even with steroid ointment, which has worked fine up till now. The skin is literally peeling off. I have had my doctor do bloodwork on this in the past, but they said they were normal at the time. I think I better have them done again. I look like I have no neck, as well! I'm 61, and I also have the acne as well. I'm ready to give up :(
I can help you! I know the steps to take to balance your blood sugars and improve your insulin resistance.
Try a baby nappy cream containing zinc on the moist weeping areas.
@@fionaingram9043 I've tried them all. I think it has to do with the fact that I take methotrexate for psoriasis, and it's lowered my immune system, so I keep getting infections. Thank you for replying!
@@laurahanson5179 I take Metformin, and my diabetes levels are good right now. Thanks!
Be careful over using the steroid cream. It isn't meant for long term use which could be worsening the skin issue
This is a great video. My son is has SAI due to a brain tumor. We went through a period of adjustment when replacing with hydrocortisone 3 x day. He was so sick before replacing. What a journey. I’ve definitely seen both ends of the spectrum
Super helpful info. I’d love to see you link this to trauma. I hit all these marks and grew up in a very traumatic household that carried into a very traumatic string of decisions in my 20’s. Only when I escaped the cycle of trauma and in theory my cortisol decreased did I see these signs dissipate.
I was married to a narcissist and I developed those symptoms. Years of stress and trauma. Healed now 🙌🏼
For real still healing but worried bc took so long 10+years and with kids still dealing with father sucks bc once divorce turned into a custody battle that's when the war starts ugh. But yes finally have boundaries so yea dropped weight almost immediately after divorce. But still didn't take away the shape the skin issues and but working on it still get anxiety. Like how to take away the stress trauma?? Idk trying but stuff still replays
Thank you! OK, it's here, but what can I do about it? I would of appreciated 2 minutes of a solution or remedy or next step.
I wish you were my dermatologist.I have a small pheochromocytoma so I have to much cortisol and stress makes it go crazy and I have a stressful life. The surgery was going to be to much for me as I have lupus to so I just live with it. This was very informative
Wonderful information.
My question is, how do you treat it effectively and naturally?
Hi Dr. Dray! Would you consider including more photo examples of darker skin tones when you show examples? Thank you for considering.
Some of these photos are of skin of color, but I don’t have any from deeper skin tones for this condition. When I have the photos, I always show them though because it is so important to see how things look on different skin tones
I have all these. The stress from having my 3rd baby during the pandemic, postpartum, nursing, up all night, getting 3-4 hours of sleep a day, and many many other stressors … I literally feel like I’m dying.
My mom suffered from high cortisol due to Cushing's syndrome. Even tho Cushing's is common in the adrenal glands hers were caused by tumors in the pituitary gland. She had to undergo 2 brain surgeries. Now she is trying to manage symptoms by medications.
I too have a large tumor on my pituitary gland discovered on a sinus CT scan. The MRI is this Tuesday. Were your mothers brain surgeries done through the sinus or skull? I pray her symptoms are now managed and under control? Any helpful pre-surgery tips you all may have are appreciated.
I had most of these symptoms along with high cortisol levels, so my doctor thought it was Cushing's. It turned out to be Hyperadrenergic POTS.
I have high levels of insulin but my endocrinologist said it’s not high enough to treat. I’ve gained weight, have the Buffalo hump, hirsutism, thinning hair, high levels of testosterone as well. Developed peripheral neuropathy. Everything always hurts!
@@clove6435 thank you will do
Well what truly reduces cortisol levels then ? Because knowing you're stressed and have high cortisol levels doesn't help in reducing it funnily enough.
getting enough sleep, eating whole unprocessed foods, low intensity exercise on a regular basis and a few other things...
Sometimes surgery. Very high cortisol may be caused by a pituitary or adrenal adenocarcinoma. Unprocessed foods and exercise will not cure Cushing's disease.
Ashwagandha KSM66
Magnesium glycinate
Please do a follow up video on how to treat this if it is not medication related
Great info. Perhaps add info or extra video on how to solve the issue to balance cortisol to offer solutions. Also your voice seems to reveal nasal issues making it harder to listen for a long time despite the valuable info.
Oh damn.... I think I better get myself a doc appointment....this explains SO much!😮