Anyone ever had a Cushing's patient?

Nurses General Nursing

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Just wondering. They say its really rare but the specialists say that its really just underdignosed. I have been told that I have the cyclical form, with a pituitary adenoma confirmed by neurosurgeon on the MRI.

I wont let this stop me from becoming a nurse. I will just have to fit brain surgery in between semesters......LOL.

So, if you did have a pt...were they there recovering from surgery? Or were they having other complications?

I think things would be MUCH worse if I was florid...but cyclical cushings isnt as intense. I have only gained about 60lbs, and my striae isnt as horrible as all of the textbook pictures. I do however have alot of the other symptoms. Alot of people with cyclical cushings get blow off by Dr's because they dont look like a florid patient. Im here to say dont judge a book by its cover.......LOL.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

We currently have a cushings pt on our floor now and it is secondary to a pituitary adenoma also. I don't think he has had surgery yet. I believe that they can most of the time can remove that kind of tumor through the nose. No this pt dosen't have the moon face either.

The surgery is usually successful. You will be in the ICU for a few days after and then on the regular floor for a few days too , then you will be able to go home.

I wish you the best of luck becomming a nurse. There is no need to let this stop you.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Yes, she had Cushing's from prednisone use. She had the typical Cushingoid appearance.

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Yes, she had Cushing's from prednisone use. She had the typical Cushingoid appearance.

Doesn't the prednisone induced Cushings go away if drug is stopped? Or should I say weaned.

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So one for steroid induced and anthor pit. tumor. I would think that the person must have been on prednisone for quite awhile to get it?

And the pt that you have doesnt have a moon face...huh. I would say that I kinda do....or at least my head & neck are ALOT larger then they were.

Really, having to go through all of this is what brought me to the point of wanting to become a nurse. I was a Realtor and loved it! But, everything is put in to prespective when your the one with an illness. Selling houses - - -important, but helping people who are sick more important.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
Doesn't the prednisone induced Cushings go away if drug is stopped? Or should I say weaned.

That's a good question. With this particular patient, the doctors tried to wean her, but she threw a fit, so the dose was left the same. Her CBGs were out of control and she had cellulitis and diabetic gastroplegia. She had compression fractures of the spine and chronic pain mixed with polysubstance abuse issues. She had COPD and heart failure. I don't recall specifically, but I'd be willing to bed she had chronic renal insufficiency. She was really a mess. I'm pretty sure she died of a bowel obstruction, because no surgeon would operate on her, because her overall health was so bad that she would have died on the table or had she survived, would have died a long, painful death in a nursing home. Her family never came to see her. Not one family member, not once. Very sad.

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