Cushing’s Awareness Challenge 2015

Posted on March 19, 2015 by MaryO

Latest posts from the folks who will be participating in this year’s Cushing’s Awareness Challenge.  Check them out!  (It’s not too late to add your own blog, either)

 

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Ohio Pituitary Patient Symposium at OSU and Gentle Giant Awards Dinner

Posted on March 13, 2015 by MaryO

Please join the Pituitary Network Association and The Ohio State University for a Pituitary Patient Symposium featuring a series of pituitary and hormonal patient education seminars presented by some of the top physicians of pituitary and hormonal medicine. The symposium faculty will share the most up-to-date information and be available to answer your most pressing questions.

Following the Patient Symposium you are cordially invited to attend Pituitary Network Association’s Gentle Giant Award Reception and Dinner. Join us in honoring Dr. Daniel Prevedello for his exemplary accomplishments in the field of pituitary medicine.  Dr. Prevedello is an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical center and Director of OSU’S Minimally Invasive Cranial Surgery Program.  Dr. Prevedello is internationally recognized in the field of minimally invasive surgery for brain, pituitary, and skull based tumors and has been a member of Best Doctors of America the last five years.  As a practicing neurosurgeon for over 15 years, Dr. Prevedello has performed over 1,800 procedures of which, over 800 were using the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach.  His current surgical practice encompasses the full spectrum of brain and skull based tumors, both benign and malignant, treated with minimally invasive and conventional approaches.

Registration is available for one or both events. The Patient Symposium registration fee is $30 and includes continental breakfast and lunch*. The Award Reception and Dinner is $50 per person or $80 for two (bring a friend or loved one and receive a discount of $20 on the purchase of 2 tickets).

 

*This registration is for the Patient Symposium only. The Ohio State University is offering a CME Course separate from our Symposium. For information on the CME course go to ccme.osu.edu

Date:  April 18, 2015

Fawcett Event Center
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am

Opening remarks 9:00am – Dr. Prevedello

Pituitary Disorders and the Effects on the Family

Epidemiology of Pituitary Tumors

Defining Clinically Significant Pituitary Disease

Treatment Options: Surgery

State of the Art Surgery for Cushing’s Disease

Question and Answer Session with Morning Symposium Faculty

Lunch with guest patient speakers: Concetta Troskie, Lori Burkhoff

Sexual Dysfunction and Infertility

Acromegaly

Pituitary Trivial Pursuit

Psychosocial Aspects of Pituitary Disease

Pituitary Disease and Your Symptoms

Question and Answer Session with Afternoon Symposium Faculty

Closing Remarks – Dr. Prevedello

Symposium Adjourns 5:45pm

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Clinical Trial for Cortendo

Posted on March 13, 2015 by MaryO

Cortendo Clinical Trial

 

About the Study

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of different doses of COR-003 on people with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, primarily by measuring the cortisol levels in urine and secondarily by measuring other health parameters such as blood pressure, weight, liver function, etc. This study is also being conducted to find out if COR-003 is safe to use. This study is open-label, which means both the health providers and the participants in the study are aware of the drug or treatment being given.

STUDY DESIGN:

  • The study will begin with a screening period to make sure subjects are eligible to participate in the study.
  • After the screening period, subjects who are eligible for participation will each be given several different doses of COR-003, to be taken by mouth in tablet form.
  • After an individualized dose has been selected, participants will take COR-003 for 6 months.
  • Finally, participants will continue in the study for an additional 6 months at doses to be determined by the study doctor.
  • Throughout the study, participants will meet regularly with a study doctor and will take part in a variety of medical tests to make sure they are doing well and to see if COR-003 is working.
  • Participants in the study should be sure they have the time to participate. Participants will generally be followed for over a year.

See if you may be eligible for this clinical study. By providing your contact information, you will receive more information about the study and your eligibility.

About Cortendo

Cortendo is the sponsor of this study. This means Cortendo planned and organized this study. Cortendo will also collect and analyze the data from the study.

Cortendo is a global pharmaceutical company primarily focused on researching and providing treatments for rare diseases in endocrinology, such as Cushing’s syndrome. The company was founded in Sweden and its worldwide headquarters is located just outside of Philadelphia.

Fill out this form for more information: https://www.cushingssyndromestudy.com/registration.aspx

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What Causes Cushing’s Disease?

Posted on March 12, 2015 by MaryO

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A condition in which the body produces too much cortisol, Cushing’s disease occurs when a tumor on the pituitary gland makes the gland create too much ACTH, the hormone that stimulates the production and release of cortisol (also known as “the stress hormone”). It may also occur with excess growth of the pituitary gland, known as hyperplasia. For most patients, Cushing’s disease will show itself through symptoms like red lines on the abdomen, abdominal weight gain and roundness to the face. And while the condition only affects 10 to 15 people per million per year, patients who suffer with it understandably wonder why. What are the causes? Where would a pituitary gland tumor come from? What leads to excess growth of that gland? To help answer these questions, here’s a look at Cushing’s disease causes:

Causes of Cushing’s Disease

The most common cause for Cushing’s disease is adenoma, a usually benign tumor on the pituitary gland. Because the tumors are normally pretty small, they can be hard to diagnose. For this reason, many patients who have Cushing’s disease don’t find out right away. Meeting with an endocrinologist can help the diagnosis process, improving your chances for a fast, successful recognition of the disease.

Risk Factors for Cushing’s Disease

Even though it’s a rare condition, Cushing’s disease occurs more commonly in women, particularly those between the ages of 20 and 50. Other factors that may increase the risk of Cushing’s disease include obesity, type 2 diabetes, poorly controlled blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. While none of these factors are a direct cause of the condition, they are associated with higher prevalence of it.

Cushing’s Disease vs. Cushing’s Syndrome

Often mistaken for one another, Cushing’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome are actually not the same condition. What they have in common is that they both involve the body’s producing too much cortisol. Cushing’s disease is a medical condition, however, while Cushing’s syndrome is a symptom of it. Cushing’s syndrome will often occur when a patient is taking corticosteroid medication.

Why You Should See an Endocrinologist

If you believe you or someone you love may have Cushing’s disease, it is best to see a specialist. Symptoms develop slowly and sometimes in cycles, so without proper testing it can be hard to identify what’s happening. A skilled endocrinologist can conduct hormone blood tests to measure blood cortisol levels at different times. He or she can also schedule an MRI for an individual who is not taking cortisol medications, in order to isolate the location of any tumors.

Have you been dealing with the symptoms of elevated cortisol levels, such as unexplained weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area and/or back of the neck? Is your skin or vision changing? These symptoms could be indicating a deeper problem in your body — so schedule an appointment to have your condition evaluated by a professional as soon as you can. Through proper treatment, you may be able to reduce or even eliminate your symptoms and be restored to full health again.

From http://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/pituitary/secretory-tumors/cushings-disease/cushings-disease-causes

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Battleground Diagnosis: The War to Survive Cushing’s Disease

Posted on March 8, 2015 by MaryO

Battleground Diagnosis, directed by filmmaker, Marc Harris, is a feature length documentary film that shares the stories of the survivors of a rare illness, Cushings Syndrome/Disease.

Marc Harris is the cousin of Karen Thames, Cushings survivor. He witnessed Karen go from a vibrant young Clinical Psychologist in practice, to someone whose health deteriorated due to the symptoms of Cushings, as she tried for many years to get answers from professionals. As she continued to eat a healthy, 1000 calorie per day diet, engage in exercise with multiple personal trainers, and follow through with referrals to consult with dietitians; Karen continued to gain weight at a rate of 5 pounds per week and experience rapidly declining health. Finally, after watching a Cushings episode of Mystery Diagnosis, Karen Found her answer! Ultimately, she sought the expertise of and treatment from a team of experts at the Seattle Pituitary Center in Seattle, WA. Karen had brain surgery in Seattle on November 16th, 2011. After a recurrence of Cushings, Karen had a Bilateral Adrenalectomy (BLA) in Wisconsin on August 21st, 2013.   This leaves Karen with Adrenal Insufficiency for life. However, she continues to fight and thrive!

After having a discussion with Marc in which Karen described that she knew hundreds of others who also had been through long journeys with Cushings, the diagnostic and treatment process; In November, 2012, Marc and Karen decided to document these stories.  Since that decision, Marc has traveled all over the country to interview Cushings patients who are all known to Karen. They all share their stories of struggle, pain, and triumph in the hopes that they can help the world to understand this rare disease.

Marc has also interviewed experts including Endocrinologists with expertise in Cushings, neurosurgeons, BLA surgeons, and mental health experts.

Karen’s continues to thrive everyday as a wife, a mother, and an overcomer! She has made the empowered conscious choice to use her professional background to advocate for the Cushing’s community and to be a voice for all of these brave warriors-Battleground!

We want to shout out loud to the world and spread the word about this documentary, which we hope will affect change and help save lives!

Follow our page and continue to support:http://www.Facebook.com/Hug.A.Cushie

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Subscribe to Karen’s Thunderclap here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/23028-hug-a-cushie-battleground

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