Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

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”…

Cushing’s disease can be hard to diagnose. But without treatment, the disease can progress rapidly, leading to osteoporosis, bone density issues, muscle deterioration, and more. That’s exactly what happened to…

It took me two years to get diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. I suffered as I moved from doctor to doctor, begging them to figure out what was wrong with me. I was tested…

My body has changed so much over the past few years due to both Cushing’s disease and its treatment. An excess production of cortisol can wreak havoc on the body in many…

A rare illness like Cushing’s disease can be difficult to diagnose. When searching for a diagnosis back in 2018, I dealt with myriad dismissals: “You just have…

I’m in bed, and it’s hours after I am supposed to have gotten up. The blanket feels heavier than usual and the burden of the day is overwhelming. I have things to do and…

When I first started to experience Cushing’s disease, I had no idea what was happening to my body. Doctors blamed my symptoms on depression, anxiety, polycystic ovary syndrome, eating issues, and…

New Year’s brings a lot of pressure to change, revolutionize, and become a new version of yourself. Lose those 20 pounds. Run a marathon. Read a book every day. Get a new job. A…

Cushing’s disease is known to cause weight gain, which can be difficult and even overwhelming for those of us who have it. I gained 70 pounds with my first pituitary tumor before…

Chronic illness isn’t just tiring; it’s expensive. Medications, doctor appointments, pain remedies — all of it adds up, and quickly. In the United States, the average direct cost of healthcare for a person with…

I’ve always known that I wanted to have children. However, because of the economy and my current work situation, my husband and I don’t have enough money to have kids right now. Therefore, we’ve…

Practicing self-care has always been difficult for me, as I’m constantly moving, working, reading, or writing in an effort to better myself. I find it difficult to take time out of my day to…