Question: Why do so many patients have pain, fatigue and mood swings months after successful surgery for Cushing’s?

Answer: Following successful cure of Cushing’s, patients may experience physical and emotional difficulty for many months. Part of this is related to the withdrawal of the high blood levels of steroids to which the patient’s body had become accustomed. This is best treated by working closely with the endocrinologist to determine the best steroid taper rate. Research shows the vast majority of patients who have had emotional and psychiatric difficulty in association with high cortisol levels experience complete recovery following cure. However, a small number of patients may actually have an exacerbation of psychiatric problems several months following surgery. This does appear to resolve with time.

By Dr. Beverly MK Biller MD (Spring 1995)