Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

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…

Weak. Pathetic. Useless. Worthless. I’ve found myself staring in the mirror, calling myself all of those names. Coming to terms with Cushing’s disease and its effects on my body is an ongoing battle,…

Managing an illness while living a normal life can be draining. To keep up with both, I keep a backpack full of helpful items with me at all times. Some of these tools simply…

Because Cushing’s disease is characterized by excessive production of cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone, stress is a huge, overwhelming part of my life. While medications have helped me tremendously,…

Dear Noura, I know how scared you feel right now after being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. I know you hid in the bathroom night after night and cried yourself to sleep. You thought…