When To See A Doctor...
Remember, this website is not meant to diagnose you - it is for informational use only.
If you have several of the symptoms listed on the "What Is Cushing's Disease?" page, it is definitely in your best interest to see a doctor. Not just any doctor - you need to see a certain type of specialist called an endocrinologist. It's as easy as getting a referral from your regular doctor; what's not so easy is finding an endocrinologist who is knowledgeable in rare endocrine diseases.
If you already have a primary care physician that you see on a regular basis, bring your symptoms and health concerns to his/her attention, if you haven't already. Then, simply ask for a referral from your doctor to see an endocrinologist. Perhaps your doctor may know and recommend someone in particular. However, in my experience, I have found that it is better to do a little bit of your own footwork in preparation for asking for that referral!
Finding the right endocrinologist can be tricky. Not just anyone will do. When choosing an endocrinologist, take note of their "sub-specialties." Are they primarily diabetes and weight loss management? Thyroid and osteoporosis treatment? Even though the specialist may stake claim to a state-of-the-art facility and treatment options, they are not catering to the side of endocrinology that deals with rare diseases or endocrine tumors, requiring additional education on their part. In order to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary stress, you need to seek out an endocrinologist who has the education, certification, and experience in rare endocrine disorders; particularly Cushing's. Otherwise, you're going to go 'round and 'round with these doctors who will be looking for answers they can't and won't find.
If you are fortunate enough to live close to Cleveland, Ohio (or Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach, Florida), I would highly recommend visiting the Cleveland Clinic! Not only is this facility rated fourth nationally in the United States for hospitals providing excellent quality care, but it is a self-referral facility! If you choose to bring your case to Cleveland Clinic, visit their site (my.clevelandclinic.org), click on 'Appointments' in the header at the top of the page, and choose an 800-number for the facility closest to you. (The website also offers 'Live Chat' and virtual tele-health sessions.) When I made my appointment with Cleveland Clinic, I went through internal medicine, filled out a very detailed health questionnaire, and my case was assigned to not one, but three doctors based on my past and present symptoms and health conditions. (One of those three doctors is my current endocrinologist.) The Clinic's appointment center agents can assist you with scheduling your appointment with the right doctors when you call. Cleveland Clinic accepts most insurances and can provide convenient payment plans for any out of pocket expenses.
Other nationally recognized medical facilities in the United States worth checking on are Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), John Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD), and the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). While these facilities and their medical professionals are in an elite group of their own (along with Cleveland Clinic), known for saving lives and uncovering "mysterious" diagnoses every day, it's not to say there aren't other hospitals and doctors out there who can do just as good a job. You just have to do your homework! Spend some time researching qualified professionals and the practice or facility they are associated with before making a decision.
Lastly, it is important that you feel comfortable with the treating doctor. In the past, I have left many an appointment feeling no closer to an answer for my deteriorating health and wondering why I even bothered wasting my time with a doctor who could be so uncaring and seemingly unintelligent. I have also had doctors who insulted and embarrassed me to the point where I left their offices crying. For a long time, I believed that I was at fault and that there really was nothing wrong with me; I just needed to do what the doctors told me to do - eat less and exercise more! Trust me, I've been through the ringer with a long list of doctors and specialists. I've written many a letter and requested the transfer of my medical records several times. I've even been through the entire bariatric surgery consultation, only to decide that there had to be an underlying cause to all of my health issues besides food. Imagine my relief and solace when I met my Cleveland Clinic endocrinologist and she told me there was an underlying cause to my weight gain and health issues other than the food I ate and the amount of exercise I got. She believed me when I told her I didn't drink soda or load up on potato chips and candy bars, and that I got plenty of exercise. She listened to me. She had compassion and empathy for my situation. She wanted to HELP me!! Turns out, she saved my life. And that is the kind of doctor you need to seek out and put your faith in.
Now that you are on track to finding the right doctor, you're probably wondering.....what happens next??
If you have several of the symptoms listed on the "What Is Cushing's Disease?" page, it is definitely in your best interest to see a doctor. Not just any doctor - you need to see a certain type of specialist called an endocrinologist. It's as easy as getting a referral from your regular doctor; what's not so easy is finding an endocrinologist who is knowledgeable in rare endocrine diseases.
If you already have a primary care physician that you see on a regular basis, bring your symptoms and health concerns to his/her attention, if you haven't already. Then, simply ask for a referral from your doctor to see an endocrinologist. Perhaps your doctor may know and recommend someone in particular. However, in my experience, I have found that it is better to do a little bit of your own footwork in preparation for asking for that referral!
Finding the right endocrinologist can be tricky. Not just anyone will do. When choosing an endocrinologist, take note of their "sub-specialties." Are they primarily diabetes and weight loss management? Thyroid and osteoporosis treatment? Even though the specialist may stake claim to a state-of-the-art facility and treatment options, they are not catering to the side of endocrinology that deals with rare diseases or endocrine tumors, requiring additional education on their part. In order to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary stress, you need to seek out an endocrinologist who has the education, certification, and experience in rare endocrine disorders; particularly Cushing's. Otherwise, you're going to go 'round and 'round with these doctors who will be looking for answers they can't and won't find.
If you are fortunate enough to live close to Cleveland, Ohio (or Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach, Florida), I would highly recommend visiting the Cleveland Clinic! Not only is this facility rated fourth nationally in the United States for hospitals providing excellent quality care, but it is a self-referral facility! If you choose to bring your case to Cleveland Clinic, visit their site (my.clevelandclinic.org), click on 'Appointments' in the header at the top of the page, and choose an 800-number for the facility closest to you. (The website also offers 'Live Chat' and virtual tele-health sessions.) When I made my appointment with Cleveland Clinic, I went through internal medicine, filled out a very detailed health questionnaire, and my case was assigned to not one, but three doctors based on my past and present symptoms and health conditions. (One of those three doctors is my current endocrinologist.) The Clinic's appointment center agents can assist you with scheduling your appointment with the right doctors when you call. Cleveland Clinic accepts most insurances and can provide convenient payment plans for any out of pocket expenses.
Other nationally recognized medical facilities in the United States worth checking on are Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), John Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD), and the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). While these facilities and their medical professionals are in an elite group of their own (along with Cleveland Clinic), known for saving lives and uncovering "mysterious" diagnoses every day, it's not to say there aren't other hospitals and doctors out there who can do just as good a job. You just have to do your homework! Spend some time researching qualified professionals and the practice or facility they are associated with before making a decision.
Lastly, it is important that you feel comfortable with the treating doctor. In the past, I have left many an appointment feeling no closer to an answer for my deteriorating health and wondering why I even bothered wasting my time with a doctor who could be so uncaring and seemingly unintelligent. I have also had doctors who insulted and embarrassed me to the point where I left their offices crying. For a long time, I believed that I was at fault and that there really was nothing wrong with me; I just needed to do what the doctors told me to do - eat less and exercise more! Trust me, I've been through the ringer with a long list of doctors and specialists. I've written many a letter and requested the transfer of my medical records several times. I've even been through the entire bariatric surgery consultation, only to decide that there had to be an underlying cause to all of my health issues besides food. Imagine my relief and solace when I met my Cleveland Clinic endocrinologist and she told me there was an underlying cause to my weight gain and health issues other than the food I ate and the amount of exercise I got. She believed me when I told her I didn't drink soda or load up on potato chips and candy bars, and that I got plenty of exercise. She listened to me. She had compassion and empathy for my situation. She wanted to HELP me!! Turns out, she saved my life. And that is the kind of doctor you need to seek out and put your faith in.
Now that you are on track to finding the right doctor, you're probably wondering.....what happens next??
