Cushing's
So I'm back because I promised myself I would tell about my experience with this disease. Lets talk about testing. I have had numerous MRIs over the years. Its the most intensive way to see if there is a tumor. They stick me in a little tube and add insult to injury, they stick a helmut on me to immobilize my head. If you are claustaphobic, then you may have to be sedated. I am a bit claustaphobic but I can deal. There is a little mirror on the top of the helmut so I can stare at myself. Yeah, not great..lol. For a head MRI, they actually have to stick over half my body in this tube. And they give you a button to push if you have to get out right away. But this is not the only test I've had for the Cushing's. I can't remember the name of the test from hell they did on me but I can tell you about the process. I went in to the hospital and the way they explained this test was that it was to see if the tumor was on one side of my pituitary gland or the other. They took me to the procedures room. (Now the day before, the nurse called me and said to "shave" but I didn't have to shave all, just so the doctor could get to my femoral artery.) So I am laying on the bed in the ugly gown and the nurse has a peek to see if I shave and apparently it wasn't enough because she gave me Hitler's mustache. I thought I heard the Barber of Seville. Anyhoo, the procedure is that they made incisions on my femoral arteries to insert catheters, then another catheter in that catheter and one more tiny one in THAT catheter. The purpose is that they have to travel to my head and take blood and pituitary samples. Now I can't feel anything because they numbed my legs and the veins themselves I don't feel anything. but I can actually HEAR the tubes in my head. Beyond freaky. They are playing music so I'm good. This takes about an hour. Ok done, but? I can't be moved for the next 6 hours. So I'm in recovery all day long. My ex had to come get me. Joy. 24hour urine tests are easy just taking the time to get it done and peeing in a cup and refrigerating it is time consuming. And the multitude of blood tests have made my arms into pincushions. But its a process and I've survived. On to the next.