32 y/o female-happily married-overweight (5'6, 205lbs)-non smoker/non drinker-healthy diet-80oz water daily-vitamins-Dx with Isolated ACTH deficiency (pituitary disease) in 2009-currently on 15-20mg of Hydrocortisone daily-recently discovered other hormones deficient-currently on testosterone, DHEA, and progesterone. Constantly swollen ankles/fingers-given 20mg Lasix PRN. Gallbladder removed 2008. Dx with POTS and NMH (fainting upon standing) in 2009 before pituitary disease discovered and prescribed Midodrine. Didn't take Midodrine due to the Hydrocortisone. Weight impossible to lose, and exercise is extremely difficult-major muscle aches, swollen legs, joint pain after exercise. Was able to go back to work despite fatigue and aches & pains. However, recently, overwhelming fatigue has returned, along with heart palpitations, sometimes severe shortness of breath, daily headaches, major heart palpitations when climbing stairs even slowly. Sometimes bp is 110/70, sometimes it is 150/100...while sitting down calmly. Pulse goes from 60 to 100 just by standing up. EKG abnormal, echo normal (except trace mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation)...was told by endocrinologist and PCP to see cardiologist. Any other thoughts? I'm thinking a heart issue as well, but I don't know what could have caused my heart to have problems. My grandparents died of congestive heart failure and heart disease, but they didn't develop any issues until their 60s. Help! I'm a nursing student and otherwise happy with life...I just want to feel good and have some energy. Thanks.
Thanks for the advice, guys. As far as weight loss...I was thin until all the pituitary issues started. I've been on medically supervised 500 calorie a day diets, 900 calories, 1200 calories, 1600 calories...you name it, I've done it...I've lost water weight but nothing substantial. I'm very accountable for every pre packaged bite I put in my mouth.
The steroids don't help since I'm always starving, but the weight gain instead of weight loss made my diagnosis take years to make...Addison's Disease (which is basically what I have except it stems from the pituitary gland and not the adrenal gland) always causes extreme weight loss, not a 50lb weight gain.
Thanks for the advice, guys. As far as weight loss...I was thin until all the pituitary issues started. I've been on medically supervised 500 calorie a day diets, 900 calories, 1200 calories, 1600 calories...you name it, I've done it...I've lost water weight but nothing substantial. I'm very accountable for every pre packaged bite I put in my mouth.
The steroids don't help since I'm always starving, but the weight gain instead of weight loss made my diagnosis take years to make...Addison's Disease (which is basically what I have except it stems from the pituitary gland and not the adrenal gland) always causes extreme weight loss, not a 50lb weight gain.