Health Care Reform

Posted on November 9, 2009 by MaryO

This was in today’s online news, about a Cushie having to work two jobs to pay for her treatments.

Kim Yaman works two jobs to help pay for her mounting health care costs. Yaman has Cushing’s Disease, a rare tumor of the pituitary gland.

BY SARAH AVERY – Staff Writer

Galvanized by the difficulties a Cary woman has had paying medical bills despite two jobs and health insurance, a group of more than 60 community activists gathered in Raleigh on Saturday to raise support for a health care reform bill.

The group, all friends of Cary grandmother Kim Yaman, fanned out from downtown Raleigh to knock on doors and give out information about bills being considered in Washington.

A vote in the U.S. House of Representatives was on tap Saturday.

“I guess I’m a rallying point for why we need health care,” Yaman said.

Yaman, whose story was featured last month in The News & Observer as part of a series about health care reform, has Cushing’s Disease, a rare tumor of the pituitary gland. The illness causes weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood pressure and bone loss, among other problems.

For years, Yaman didn’t know what was causing her ill health, but frequent visits to doctors and myriad tests caused escalating medical bills. She took on a second job at the Galaxy Theater in Cary to augment her pay at the Wake County Public School System, but the expenses still mounted, despite insurance.

Last month, Yaman held a demonstration at Sen. Kay Hagan’s office to call for health reform that includes a public option. Yaman and friends handed out Moon Pies to passers-by, because they said they weren’t asking for the moon in seeking reform.

Saturday’s event drew community activists from Seattle, California, New York and Chicago – all who had worked with Yaman last year during the presidential campaigns and were eager to help a cause they hoped would help their friend.
savery@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4882

from http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/181016.html

How are you paying or the cost of testing, of surgery or meds? Personally, I don’t have the energy do much more than a part-time job.

Filed under: Cushing's, Health Care | Tagged: , , , | 5 Comments »

Medical treatment of Cushing’s disease: Overview and recent findings

Posted on October 21, 2009 by MaryO

Published Date October 2009

Journal: International Journal of General Medicine

Stephanie Smooke Praw1, Anthony P Heaney1,2

1Department of Medicine, 2Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Abstract: Cushing’s disease, due to pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) hypersecretion, is the most common etiology of spontaneous excess cortisol production. The majority of pituitary tumors causing Cushing’s disease measure <1 cm and the excess morbidity associated with these tumors is mostly due to the effects of elevated, nonsuppressible, ACTH levels leading to adrenal steroid hypersecretion. Elevated circulating cortisol levels lead to abnormal fat deposition, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, muscle weakness and psychological disturbances. At experienced centers, initial surgical remission rate via transnasal, transphenoidal resection approaches 80% for tumors less than 1 cm, but may be as low as 30% for larger lesions and long-term recurrence in all groups approaches 25%. Residual disease may be managed with more radical surgery, pituitary-directed radiation, bilateral adrenalectomy, or medical therapy. This paper addresses current and novel therapies in various stages of development for Cushing’s disease.

Keywords: Cushing’s disease, treatment, pasireotide, PPAR-γ, 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors, dopamine agonists

Download article (Free!): http://dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=5388

Filed under: Cushing's | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Interview with Laura (LauraNG) October 29 at 9:00PM eastern

Posted on October 19, 2009 by MaryO

October 29 at 9:00PM eastern, Interview with Laura (LauraNG)

This interview will take place at 9:00 PM eastern – please note later time!

Laura has been struggling since 2007 with various odd things happening to her body.

In March of 2009 she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroid.

Her bio contains a long list of symptoms she has and she has been misdiagnosed with Obesity, Diabetes, Kidney stones, Depression, MS, Manic/Depressive, TIA, Anxiety – stress, Not exercising enough, Not eating properly, Abusive relationship (due to bruising).

In responding to the email confirming this interview Laura wrote:

“When I started reading the bio’s of people like myself, I started to cry tears of relief that what I may have, is actually ONE real thing. I cannot tell you how happy I was to find your website and I think it is wonderful that so many people who truly understand how frustrating it is to think we are alone, are willing to put themselves out there as beacons of hope for the rest of us. I felt so strongly, that I wanted to add my bio and offer myself for interview. If I can help one person feel a little calmer while they go through this process, I am more than willing. I don’t know if I have Cushing’s but if I do, it is important to me to reach out to others because the attacks coming from the physical and mental side of this illness, deserve to be exposed and recognized. Even though I am feeling a bit humiliated, reclusive and embarassed because of what it is doing to me.”

Read Laura’s entire bio at http://www.cushie.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=413:laura-undiagnosed-bio&catid=32:bios&Itemid=68

You can listen live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CushingsHelp The archives are usually up about 30 minutes after the end of the show and in our podcast area of iTunes by Friday.

The Call-In number for questions or comments is (646) 200-0162.

Filed under: Cushing's, Interview, podcast | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Round-Up, Week 1

Posted on October 17, 2009 by MaryO

Weekly post summary for the week of October 12-17, 2009, Volume 1

I’m just testing to see how this comes out on this first one!

Instant Weekly Roundup - Free WordPress Plugin

Filed under: Cushing's, Round-up | Leave a comment »

Corlux in the news again

Posted on October 13, 2009 by MaryO
Associated Press
10/13/09 8:10 AM PDT

MENLO PARK, CALIF. — Corcept Therapeutics Inc. said Tuesday it expects to raise about $18 million by selling stock and options to institutional investors.

Corcept said the money will be used to complete enrollment of patients in a late stage clinical trial of its drug candidate Corlux as a treatment for Cushing’s syndrome, and to cover the cost of filing for Food and Drug Administration marketing clearance.

The $18 million is a gross estimate and does not include expenses connected to the offering.

Corcept said it will sell 12.6 million units at $1.43 per share. The units will consist of one share of stock, and a warrant to buy 0.35 shares at an exercise price of $1.66 per share. Buyers include current Corcept investors such as Longitude Capital Management, Sutter Hill Ventures, Alta Partners and new investors including Federated Kaufmann Funds.

The sale is expected to close on Friday.

The company is testing Corlux as a treatment for Cushing’s syndrome and psychotic depression. Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body produces to much of the hormone cortisol, or by overexposure to cortisol. Symptoms can include high blood sugar and blood pressure, fatigue, and weak muscles.

From http://www.sfexaminer.com/economy/ap/64084462.html

Filed under: Cushing's | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

« Previous Page — Next Page »