What happens when I push past my limits with Cushing’s disease
Between grief, a lack of sleep, and alcohol, my body gave out on me
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A few weekends ago, my family and I all crammed into a car and drove to Pennsylvania from our home in Michigan for my beloved grandmother’s funeral. Since we had a toddler and a 7-month-old in the car, eight hours turned into 12. That long car ride was followed by very little sleep. We arrived at our Airbnb at 2 a.m., and I still had to feed my daughter and shower before getting up at 7.
Grief hit me hard since my grandmother and I were very close. I spent the entire weekend crying, drinking wine (even though I don’t drink anymore), and not watching what I ate or worrying about how much I slept. I just wanted to grieve.
My Cushing’s disease wasn’t the first thing on my mind. I wasn’t taking care of myself as well as I usually do.
On the ride home, about three hours in, my body completely gave out on me. The alcohol, lack of sleep, dehydration, intense grief, and long car rides resulted in the worst couple of hours ever.
The breakdown
My body completely broke down. I had a horrible headache that Tylenol (acetaminophen) didn’t touch. I felt nauseous and had to take several breaks to catch my breath and keep from throwing up in my sister-in-law’s car. I was dizzy and my vision was blurry. Of course, I still needed to feed and care for my daughter, take my medication, and get home, but I could barely stay awake.
My husband woke me for her feeds and kept sending water my way, but I slept the entire car ride. I was exhausted by the time we rolled up to our house at 10 p.m. I collapsed into bed and slept so soundly that I missed my alarms the next morning.
I’m taking it easy so my body can recuperate. That means a few days spent working from bed, eating well, and drinking lots of water. It means barely leaving the house and taking all my medication on time. And it means round-the-clock pain management: Tylenol, water therapy, migraine relief, and warm blankets, even in the summer.
It sucks. When I feel this bad, it means I’ve really pushed my body to its limits. Here’s to a week of vitamin C, long days in bed, and bone broth.
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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