Question: How does Cushing’s effect one’s sleep and will my sleep improve after corrective surgery?

Answer: Sleep disturbance is quite common in patients with excess cortisol. Many patients report difficulty falling asleep and/or difficulty staying asleep. Sleep disturbances are also quite common in patients treated with high doses of steroids for other illnesses. With reduction in cortisol levels to normal, the sleep disturbance should improve. Some patients also report early morning awakening. This may be a manifestation of depression which is very common with Cushing’s. Improvement should occur as cortisol levels are returned to normal and depression eases.

By Dr. Mary Lee Vance MD (Summer, 1999)