Half the Battle — Caitlin McDonough

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Caitlin McDonough is a columnist for Cushing’s Disease News. Caitlin recently relocated back to Massachusetts after living in numerous states throughout the U.S. Caitlin has her Master’s degree in Social Work, and is passionate about disability rights and health equity.

She lives with multiple invisible illnesses, including Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, and Interstitial Cystitis. She was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease while in graduate school, after searching for a diagnosis for several years. Caitlin hopes that her column “Half the Battle” will help empower others who may be struggling, as well as shed light into the realities of living with an invisible illness.

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How Repetition Taught Me Patience on the Road to Diagnosis

While chronic illness comes with many unknowns and changes, it can also involve a lot of repetition. I was diagnosed with cyclical Cushing’s disease in 2016. The years leading up to my diagnosis were full of repetition as my medical team searched for answers to why I felt…

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The Difficult Side of the Healing Process

One of the biggest lessons that I learned on my Cushing’s journey was that listening to my body wasn’t always what I wanted to do, but it’s what was best for me. My journey with cyclical Cushing’s disease spanned several years, with my symptoms first appearing in 2011. I…

Columns

How to Support a Loved One With Cushing’s Disease

When someone is hurting or struggling, we may find ourselves wanting to have all the answers for them. We may jump to offering solutions and making assumptions about what’s needed, but that isn’t always the best approach. Other times we may back off because we don’t know what to say…

Columns

How to Prepare for an Appointment With a New Doctor

Navigating the medical system can be extremely time-consuming and stressful, as it often involves significant coordination and planning. It’s especially difficult when you’re struggling with the symptoms you’re seeking help for. When I first saw a neuroendocrinologist for the symptoms I now know were caused by Cushing’s disease, I…

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I Found the Support I Needed in Online Cushing’s Communities

When my Cushing’s symptoms first appeared, I thought they were due to a virus and I’d only be out of commission for about a week. When a week turned into several months, I began to wonder if something else was going on. I thought that maybe the symptoms were due…

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Coping With the Changes That Often Accompany Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease causes a great deal of change, both physical and emotional. For some, these changes happen slowly over time, while for others, they’re more rapid. About four years passed between the onset of my symptoms and my diagnosis. The differences in how I felt were subtle, making it…

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Navigating the Unknowns of Travel and Accessibility

Traveling with an invisible illness can be physically demanding and emotionally taxing. So much planning is involved, along with so much physical movement and running around. Being away from your normal element and comfort items can be a difficult transition as well. Living away from my home state, where my…

Columns

Obtaining a Cushing’s Disease Diagnosis Was ‘Half the Battle’

Welcome to “Half the Battle,” a new column about my experience with Cushing’s disease. My name is Caitlin, I’m 30 years old, and from the U.S. Northeast. I was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease six years ago. My hope for this column is that it will provide insight into what…

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