Re: Doubts on surgery for atipycal Cushing
Hi Keysia and welcome to you and Rorty!
Atypical Cushing's is a condition is which the cortisol is normal but one or more of the five intermediate, or sex, hormones are elevated. Those hormones are Estradiol, Androstenedione, 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Progesterone and Aldosterone.
My Squirt is Atypical; her cortisol is within normal range but all five of her intermediates have been, or are, elevated. She has been on melatonin and lignans since '08 which lowered her levels, bringing the estradiol back to normal! Melatonin and lignans is the treatment approach recommended by the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (UTK) who leads the research in the arena of Atypical Cushing's. Lysodren is used in conjuction with or alone in treating Atypical as well. Squirt is now on a maintenance dose of Lyso along with the melatonin and lignans because she started exhibiting stronger signs and her cortisol was creeping up, tho still within the norms.
UTK does not recommend using Trilostane (Vetoryl) with Atypical pups as it has been shown to elevate some of the intermediates. However, it has been used with these pups with success among our membership. There is a great deal of controversy concerning Atypical Cushing's so finding a solid treatment recommendation is difficult - everyone has their own ideas, opinions, and experiences....medical professionals as well as parents. The treatment approach I used with Squirt worked for her but it might not for Rorty or any other pup.
The mass on the adrenal....did they tell you what type of tumor it was? Does pheochromocytoma sound familiar? Depending on the type of tumor, it could be causing the signs you are seeing as well as the results of the hormone test. We have several members who have experience with adrenal tumor surgeries and I am sure they will be along to share with you but if you can tell us the type of tumor found, that will help us give you more meaningful feedback.
I am glad you found us and look forward to learning more about both of you as time passes. You and Rorky are no longer alone; we will be with you every step of this journey. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions - if we don't know we will help you research and learn together.
You are off to a good start! Keep your chin up!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
"May you know that absence is full of tender presence and that nothing is ever lost or forgotten." John O'Donahue, "Eternal Echoes"
Death is not a changing of worlds as most imagine, as much as the walls of this world infinitely expanding.