Doctors brushed off my puffy, red ‘moon face’ and told me it was normal… in fact it was the first sign of a hidden tumour

Shortly after giving birth to the new mother Katelyn Bonacasa, she thought very little when she developed a rugged red rash. After the dermatologist visit, the points were cleaned rapidly. However, more disturbing symptoms emerged over weeks – and they did not go.

Long Island, 30 -year -old Katelyn from New York, ‘My face has lost all its shape and has become a full circle’ he remembers. ‘Red was always hot – and then my hair began to fall.’

He lost about one -third of his hair, sprouted on his face from the new growth forehead to the jaw. Acne exploded, the skin easily decayed and the smallest cuts took months to heal for months.

“ I could not be defined, ” he said.

“ `I won 30 lbs very fast, I could not keep my eyes open from fatigue – but I could not sleep at the same time. In depression, anxious, angry, constantly on the edge. I felt that I lost my mind. ‘

Their periods stopped, the expansion of the thyroid emerged, and blood tests showed that he had improved insulin resistance – showing that his body was no longer smoothly processed and a potential pioneer for diabetes.

However, for eight months, doctors rejected their concerns.

I couldn’t even get a sentence before I cut me out of interrupting me to say ‘I’m fine’.

Finally, the mother was diagnosed with Cushings disease

“ He told me that it was only after birth. He ordered the most basic thyroid test, there is nothing comprehensive, and he wrote in his notes that there is nothing doubtful ‘.

Another doctor brushed skin changes as adult acne. A specialist even told him to try to run on the treadmill. An endocrinologist clearly, “ These are normal as a woman, ” he said.

But Katelyn knew that something wasn’t right. He began to investigate his symptoms determined to find an answer.

The more he reads, the more convinced he has Cushing’s disease-a rare hormonal disorder caused by exposure to cortisol at high levels.

The tests confirmed suspicion. Cortisol levels were three to four times higher than normal.

A 24-hour urine test has returned to 720 and between December 3 and 45. ‘For the first time since I was done blood, I had not read a normal cortisol once,’ ‘he said. “ That’s when I knew that Cushing should be. ”

Cushing’s disease is usually triggered by a benign (without cancer) on the pituitary gland-a pea-sized structure that moves as a hormonal control center of the body at the base of the body.

The tumor causes the excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) of the gland to pump, which stimulates the adrenal glands on the bubbles for water with cortisol.

The tests revealed that there is a high levels of stress hormone, cortisol

Cortisol, blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism and immune response, although necessary in small doses, it causes high levels of destruction.

Patients usually experience rapid weight gain that concentrate around the trunk, while the arms and legs remain thin. The face is rounded – the classic ‘moon face’ – and the oil can accumulate between the shoulders to create a ‘mandate hump’.

Leather and caries easily occur purple cracks along the abdomen and hair growth changes. The muscles waste, leaving deep weakness.

Excessive cortisol also affects mood and memory, increases the risk of depression, anxiety and even psychosis. Blood pressure increases, insulin resistance develops and patients may continue to develop full diabetes.

The bones weaken, leave them vulnerable to fractures. Untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Experts say that some of the problem can mimic common situations such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause or simple changes after pregnancy.

The disease is rare, it affects only one to two people every year. Many doctors can only see one or two cases in all their careers.

Professor Ashley Grossman, an endocrinologist from Oxford University, explains: ‘Cushing’s diagnosis can be difficult to identify, because weight gain, mood changes, acne – is very common. However, when it occurs together and in a relatively short period of time, a red flag should raise. ‘

The delay in diagnosis for Katelyn was demolition. “The hardest part was to hope that everything continued to worsen and one day would be recyclable,” he said.

At the end of a brain screening, a 1.5 cm tumor in the pituitary gland revealed. In a sensitive operation of the nasal cavity, the surgeons raised him.

Most patients respond well to the surgery, but some require medication to suppress cortisol or removal of adrenal glands in serious cases.

Healing may be slow: Cortisol levels may take months or even years to heal the body.

Today, Katelyn is healed and shares her story in Tiktok, reaching with thousands of videos about symptoms, diagnosis and layoffs.

“I was the one who tied the points and pushed it for the right tests,” he said.

‘A 1.5 cm pituitary tumor has certainly ruined me. Nothing will be more humble than living as a version you don’t know. But this will pass – it is better. ‘

Since he sent his videos, Katelyn received hundreds of messages from people who were worried that he could have similar symptoms.

“When people dig out of their outsourcing and something simple as blood test can change everything, it makes me sad to fight too much for answers,” he said.

Experts emphasize that Cushing’s disease is rare, but should be taken into consideration in patients presenting with the story feature set.

“If you have fast, unexplained weight gain, skin thinning and bruising, irregular periods and psychological changes, Professor Grossman says Professor Grossman.

‘A simple blood or urine test can give the first clue and make early diagnosis treatment much more effective.’

Red flag symptoms, fast weight gain, skin thinning, purple crack marks, easy bruising, face and body hair growth, muscle weakness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and diabetes are found.

Although it is rare, the situation may be life -threatening if left untreated.

Katelyn says he is determined to raise awareness to keep quietly from suffering, as other women do.

‘I trusted myself and this is the one who saved me’ he said. I was told for months he was in my head. But I knew my body and I kept pushing. If my story only helps to diagnose a person before, it will be worth it. ‘