My current Cushing’s disease treatment plan is working well for me
I take a combination of medications and supplements to manage my health
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Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various medications and supplements. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.
My Cushing’s disease treatment plan has changed many times over the years. I have blood work done every three months, checkups every four months, specialist appointments twice a year, and an MRI at least annually, and the results affect my treatment.
Currently, my team is treating my Cushing’s recurrence medically because transsphenoidal surgery isn’t a good option for me. Pituitary tumors are very tiny, and though we’ve seen one or two spots on my MRIs, my team isn’t positive whether they’re tumors or simply changes following my transsphenoidal surgery in 2020.
I now take a combination of medications, vitamins, and supplements to manage my Cushing’s disease.
Prescribed medications
Ketoconazole: This medication is meant to lower my high cortisol levels. I’m on a high dosage of ketoconazole, taking four pills every night.
Progesterone: This helps to balance my hormone levels and regulate my menstrual cycle, as my periods have been quite heavy lately.
Spironolactone: I take this medication to lower my high blood pressure, but somehow, it also helps with my acne and hair loss.
Tirzepatide: I am prediabetic because of how Cushing’s messes with my insulin. My doctor prescribed tirzepatide to help with weight loss and reduce inflammation.
Supplements
Iron: I struggle with low iron, so I take three iron pills daily. This helps my body transport oxygen and reduces my fatigue.
Milk thistle: I take this to support liver health because my medication can damage the organ.
Myo-inositol: This helps improve my insulin sensitivity, lower my blood sugar, and regulate my menstrual cycle.
Vitamin B6: This helps relieve my digestive issues and supports my brain health. It has reduced my brain fog.
Vitamin B12: Chronic inflammation in my body has resulted in nerve pain and damage. This vitamin helps support my nerve and blood cells.
Vitamin D3: I have thinning bones, so I take this vitamin to help my body absorb calcium, which supports bone health.
Future additions to my treatment plan
I’ve had to discontinue several medications and supplements while breastfeeding, but I will resume them in the next year or two:
Atorvastatin: I started taking this to help lower my blood fat levels. It also helps prevent heart attack and stroke, two of the most common causes of death related to Cushing’s disease.
Berberine: This supplement can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol and support weight loss.
Of course, my treatment plan will likely change over time, but for now, it works well for me. I’m able to live a relatively normal life, even with a rare disease.
You can also follow my journey on TikTok and YouTube.
Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.
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