Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

Slow-healing wounds have been one of the worst symptoms of Cushing’s disease for me. The situation hasn’t improved, even with medication. Every time I get a cut, bruise, or burn, it seems to linger forever. I have a scar from a minor burn on my finger that happened…

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…

My partner and I have made the exciting but difficult decision to freeze embryos, which will allow us to preserve our fertility for when we’re ready to have children. Our reasons for this are simple. Both Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome affect my ovaries and my…

I love to travel. Seeing new places is inspiring, and getting a much-needed break from the city is refreshing. However, traveling is different for me now that I have Cushing’s disease. In the past, I could jump on a plane and go anywhere without a thought in the world.

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…

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…

News outlets have been abuzz over actress and comedian Amy Schumer’s recent announcement that she has Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder characterized by excess cortisol production. I was surprised to see the headlines and so many people commenting on the illness. As someone with Cushing’s disease — a…

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.

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…

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 me. It took me two years to get diagnosed after the symptom onset with my…

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 for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, thyroid issues, and cervical cancer.

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 ways, causing symptoms such as weight gain, hair loss, striae, buffalo humps, and bruising.