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How to take up space without guilt or apologies

I’ve always had difficulty with taking up space. But after I became chronically ill with Cushing’s disease, it’s been even harder for me to simply exist without feeling like a burden. I often worry about how my illness affects others. I’m unable to go places without an elevator…

How I combat hair loss caused by Cushing’s disease

One symptom of Cushing’s disease that really affected me was hair loss. My hair is my favorite feature; it’s curly like my mom’s, which always made me feel beautiful. Watching it fall out in clumps was traumatizing and scary, and it made me incredibly sad and self-conscious. I started…

How I deal with brain fog resulting from Cushing’s disease

Cushing’s disease survivors may experience myriad symptoms, including forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. These cognitive issues are often known as the infamous brain fog. For me, this symptom feels exactly as it sounds: a fog. I’m out of it, complacent, like I’m having an out-of-body experience. My memory…

You might not realize these things can cause high cortisol

Cushing’s disease has, over time, made me a very stressed-out individual. That’s no surprise, considering that Cushing’s raises levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone. More stress creates more cortisol. And when my cortisol rises and I get the test results, that stresses me out, too.

Embracing negative emotions has been positive for me

Because of my Cushing’s disease diagnosis, I’ve often felt like a burden to my friends. Hangouts became long sessions of talking about my illness. My responses to “how are you?” went from “good” to “bad,” and eventually, I was no longer able to attend any events or gatherings. The…