While chronic illness comes with many unknowns and changes, it can also involve a lot of repetition. I was diagnosed with cyclical Cushing’s disease in 2016. The years leading up to my diagnosis were full of repetition as my medical team searched for answers to why I felt…
Half the Battle – a Column by Caitlin McDonough
One of the biggest lessons that I learned on my Cushing’s journey was that listening to my body wasn’t always what I wanted to do, but it’s what was best for me. My journey with cyclical Cushing’s disease spanned several years, with my symptoms first appearing in 2011. I…
When someone is hurting or struggling, we may find ourselves wanting to have all the answers for them. We may jump to offering solutions and making assumptions about what’s needed, but that isn’t always the best approach. Other times we may back off because we don’t know what to say…
Navigating the medical system can be extremely time-consuming and stressful, as it often involves significant coordination and planning. It’s especially difficult when you’re struggling with the symptoms you’re seeking help for. When I first saw a neuroendocrinologist for the symptoms I now know were caused by Cushing’s disease, I…
When my Cushing’s symptoms first appeared, I thought they were due to a virus and I’d only be out of commission for about a week. When a week turned into several months, I began to wonder if something else was going on. I thought that maybe the symptoms were due…
Cushing’s disease causes a great deal of change, both physical and emotional. For some, these changes happen slowly over time, while for others, they’re more rapid. About four years passed between the onset of my symptoms and my diagnosis. The differences in how I felt were subtle, making it…
Traveling with an invisible illness can be physically demanding and emotionally taxing. So much planning is involved, along with so much physical movement and running around. Being away from your normal element and comfort items can be a difficult transition as well. Living away from my home state, where my…
Welcome to “Half the Battle,” a new column about my experience with Cushing’s disease. My name is Caitlin, I’m 30 years old, and from the U.S. Northeast. I was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease six years ago. My hope for this column is that it will provide insight into what…
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