Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

Because of major muscle and bone issues caused by my Cushing’s disease, I’ve been an ambulatory wheelchair user, which means I can sometimes move independently but use my wheelchair when I feel I need it. Through treatment, though, my muscles and bones have slowly strengthened, so I’ve been…

Getting diagnosed with Cushing’s disease in 2020 changed my life — and my career path. I’d been out of college for only a year when I became sick and had to quit my job. I could barely get out of bed, let alone work or study. It was impossible to…

Some of the most difficult symptoms I deal with from chronic illness are vision problems. It’s something I haven’t talked about publicly before. Four years ago, around the time I was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, I was also diagnosed with visual snow syndrome, a condition that’s exactly…

In early October, I traveled alone for the first time in a while. Usually I travel with friends, family, or my partner, but this time, I was visiting a friend in Colorado on my own. I packed…

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of community. I adore my friends and family, and I’m so grateful for all their help and support. I didn’t spend my entire life sick, but became ill with Cushing’s disease at the age of 18. I never got better. It’s been almost…

There’s a popular trend on TikTok right now called the “everything shower.” This is basically a long shower routine that involves, well, everything — shaving, exfoliating, washing your hair and skin, and all that jazz. I’d never heard of the term before a few weeks ago, and while…

For a while now, I’ve been sharing my story on social media and here at Cushing’s Disease News. In many ways, it’s been a breath of fresh air. I get so many positives from being part of this community and that of Bionews, the parent company of this…

Recently, I was the bridesmaid at my friend’s wedding, but I was the only one using a mobility aid. Unfortunately, that made me feel a little self-conscious. As we were discussing how to walk down the aisle, I started to panic. Should we link to our partner’s arm or…

Because of ongoing health issues, including Cushing’s disease, I’ve been exhausted lately. I have to take several naps a day just to make it through, and most of the time I’m just hoping to be able to check off everything on my to-do list. Because I’ve been stuck…

I’ve spent the last hour staring at my computer. I need to write and get my work done, but my fingers don’t seem to want to move. Everything feels difficult this week. Showering, sleeping, and even just thinking feel like bricks being placed on my chest. I’m tired all day,…

I recently had what I call a “day of doctors.” I had multiple specialist appointments coming up, so I planned them all for the same day. First, I met with a hematologist to figure out why my white blood cell count has been so high. The doctor offered several possibilities,…

I spend a lot of time talking with other people who are chronically ill. There’s something special about having a friend who truly understands everything I’ve been through with Cushing’s disease. Recently, I’ve noticed a pattern in my discussions with the Cushing’s community: There’s a lot of frustration…