Question: How does recovery from adrenal Cushing’s differ from pituitary Cushing’s? 
Answer: Recovery from Cushing’s, either adrenal or pituitary, is essentially the same – meaning that the physical improvements after successful treatment are very gradual and take a long time. Most of my patients tell me that it takes at least a year to return to their pre-Cushing’s state. This is a consequence of the high cortisol levels before treatment which caused weight gain, loss of muscle mass, weakness, fatigue and associated medical problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, mood changes, depression). One aspect of Cushing’s that usually improves early is the mood and depression problems.

Patients who had a pituitary operation may have some problems with the nose or sinuses which usually improves with using the nasal salt solution rinses regularly. Patients who had adrenal surgery may have some abdominal pain and wound healing to endure after the operation. These problems usually improve with time and necessary treatments. The most common issue with all patients who had successful treatment for Cushing’s is frustration about the slowness of the recovery. All patients with successfully treated Cushing’s need to be aware that complete recovery is slow, but eventually things will improve. One caveat: to achieve weight loss back to the pre-Cushing’s weight: every patient needs to watch the calories and have a prudent and gradual exercise regimen – the weight gained with Cushing’s doesn’t magically disappear – there is work to be done to loose the excessive weight.

By Dr. Mary Lee Vance, Summer, 2014