Murphy - Final Dx of Cushing's Disease

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missmurphy2010

missmurphy2010

Member Since 2011
I posted this on the main forum, but wanted to share w/ you all.

Hi all. Not a good day. Murphy was extremely ill this a.m., rushed to the vet's office (fortunately they were open at 7:00). Vomiting from 4:00 until we left. She wanted on my bed, which is so uncommon for her. We think that she had a severe pancreatitis attack, but it is possible that whatever they use to test for the Cushing's provoked the attack. She could not eat, and so I didn't give her the insulin. She rested the entire day, and they finally fed her when I picked her up from work, gave her fluids and insulin so I wouldn't have to do anything tonight.

Anyways, she tested positive for sure. Now, we are in another situation. I'm about to lose my mind gals. I'm not sure where to turn about all of this. It's too much to handle. I cannot stop crying. But, her vet did say that she thinks that Murphy may be able to come off insulin -- a possibility.

I just cannot stand this. And, I've tapped myself completely out.

Lisa
 
I am sorry to hear this Lisa. I wish the best for you both. There is a group here that helps with Cushings. I hope someone will be along to help guide you in the right direction, and get you the support you need. You both are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Hi Lisa,

I'm so sorry about MissMurphy's cushings diagnosis. Please PM me any time. You and MissMurphy are in my thoughts and prayers. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
The Cushing's is from what we think is the immune suppression -- and the use of inhaled meds for her feline asthma. So, first things -- contact Dr. Phillip Padrid the father of feline inhaled meds, to see if there is an alternative treatment. She said it could be transient if we can get her off the inhaled meds but this is obviously a very dangerous consideration.

I'm just devastated. I can't think of anything but saving her life -- forget about mine. God, she was so, so sick this a.m. Somebody make this better! Where's God when you need him!
 
aw, lisa, you've had a really bad time. i'm so sorry. it's never good news to get a serious diagnosis, but it is good to know what you're facing. there are people on here with cats who have Cushing's and have learned to cope with it. just like the diagnosis of diabetes and your relief to find this forum, now you know about the Cushings and people will be able to help you with it.

you've done so much for your kitter. hang in there while this part gets figured out. the best thing you can do is take care of yourself so you can continue to take care of her.

i don't know if you were asking that about God as a serious question, but having been a youth minister for a long time, i can't ignore it. i trust God is present with you, as always, and with Murphy. illnesses simply happen - it doesn't mean that God has abandoned you. if you want to talk more about it you can always send me a pm. i'm here. :YMHUG:
 
So this is the type of Cushing's Murphy has:
Iatrogenic Cushings Disease: In this form of hyperadrenocorticism, animals exhibit clinical signs as a result of excessive or prolonged exposure to exogenous corticosteroids. For example, clinical hyperadrenocorticism can be seen when a steroid-containing medication such as prednisone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, or similar class of corticosteroid medication has been given orally, by injection or even topically (topical corticosteroid eye, ear or skin preparations, when used in excess or for prolonged periods, are absorbed into the blood stream) at high doses and/or for prolonged periods of time.
 
I assume you were using Flovent with the inhaler? Belle was on that for asthma and from what my vets told me, that was the safest long term treatment for her asthma. They made it sound side effect free. I have no idea what alternative there could be, but hopefully discontinuing it will get her better. Anything is better than steroids, so hopefully there is a new asthma medicine out there that could help.
 
Hi Lisa,

There is a support group here on FDMB for cushings cats Acromegaly/IAA/Cushings Cats. It is here on the insulin support group just as we click lantus, you would click the Acromegaly/IAA/Cushings Cats. I know how difficult this is. I saw your post on health, and sadly I agree a steroid is a steroid. I am a human asthmatic and this is only my personal opinion. I had to battle all of my doctors, but I am now treating my asthma without steroids. It was a long journey, but that is a different story. I expect your vet is guiding you on how best to treat Murphy's asthma now. Asthma is still condition that needs to be continued to be treated, and I know you and your vet will come up with a plan for Miss Murphy, for that and her cushings.
You do a wonderful job working for Miss Muphys health and well being tirelessly. If you need a shoulder I am here. take care of yourselves. o:-)
 
Lisa,
i'm sorry for the dx of Cushings on Murphy...it is never easy to find out such diagnosis...devastation, disbelief, shock....alll emotions run thru your head....but at least now you know what you are dealing with and from there you will educate yourself on what the prognosis is and what the best treatment and/or options are for Murphy....i think knowledge is power....after Rocket's first dx of CRF (as you can see on the signature he has many illnesses).....i was in total shock and thought it was the end of us being together...but then someone told me that knowledge is power and if i wanted to be Rocket's spokesperson i needed to learn on what CRF was and so i sought out help in the CRF group....and after each dx more shock and disbelief....but i think i have learned thru this process that so long as Rocket wants to fight...i will fight with him....and yes Cushings is a disease that can be treated...so do not despair...

challenges are thrown our way....every day....and those challenges shape who we become....

for now enjoy every minute you have with Murphy....and try to find out different options for her...you are in this together...and we are here to listen to you (as i do not have knowledge in what you are dealing with) and so vent away...and folks that have knowledge in what you are dealing with may steer you in the right direction....

will add you to the list of people on the board that i'm praying for....you and Murphy will be in my thoughts and prayers as you embark on this new journey....
 
Just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're facing this new challenge with Miss Murphy. I, too, will add you to my prayers for the sick kitties here on FDMB.
 
I'm sorry that you guys are dealing with this .. I know others have spoken about groups dealing with this disease so hopefully you can get some insight from there ... keeping you in our prayers ...
 
Hi Lisa,
You have been dealt a blow, but with the help and advice of others who are coping with this disease, I hope that a good treatment can be found. You and Miss Murphy are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ella & Rusty
 
To all of you, thank you so, so much for your support during this time. What is disappointing is that Flovent, unfortunately, does cause endocrine disorders, as we have just found out. I have a call in to Dr. Philip Padrid to discuss options w/ him as at one point for several years, I was very very active with feline asthma inhaled meds, but I do not think that he researched over the past 20 years about the effects of long-term use of cortocosteroids as it could relate to Cushing's disease. But, the type of Cushing's she has is solely related to immune suppression from the use of steroids. The funny thing is, she has never once been on prednisone for her asthma. The only time - when she went ER w/ her first event, hospitalized, on oxygen for about 3-4 days.

Also, does anyone know anything about IMOM and its assistance in fundraising? This is right now an integral part of fixing some of the financial situation I am facing, and as soon as the State Board finishes their investigation, you can bet all of you, my old vet will be standing in front of a judge.

If you have information on IMOM fundraising, please email me at work (lkitzmiller @mmnt.com--remove space).

Lisa
 
(((Lisa)))
You might wish to remove your e-mail address, and have people PM you to get the address from you privately, for internet security reasons.

I am sorry about the Cushing's diagnosis. My Bear Man also had Iatrogenic Cushings. He was on steroids for many years due to IBD. He had many other health issues as well. In these cats with multiple issues, everything does become a delicate balancing act. We never pursued any treatment. As you mentioned, the treatment for Iatrogenic Cushing's is to withdraw (or lower the dose of) the steroid. It was not possible to do that for Bear Man, so all we could do was to try to be very vigilant with his skin, watching for injury, and being careful not to damage his skin (for example, I could not give sub Q fluids for his renal disease due to the chance of skin tearing).

I don't know if any of the other drugs out there, such as Trilostane, would be effective for Iatrogenic Cushing's. That is something I would want to discuss with the vet.

As far as IMOM, their website http://www.imom.org/ currently states the following:
Due to the current economic crisis and decline in donations, IMOM presently accepts applications for life threatening emergencies only. Life threatening emergencies are defined as follows:
A life threatening emergency exists when it has been confirmed in writing by a veterinarian that your pet will die or have to be humanely euthanized if care is not provided within ten days from the date of diagnosis.

I do have a list of financial aid links at home. I am at work now, but can post them later.

Edited to add link: http://www.felinediabetes.com/vetbills.htm

Meanwhile, all I can offer is my support and hugs for you and (((Murphy))).
 
aw, Lisa...terribly sorry to read this.

We continue to hold you and gorgeous Miss murphy in our prayers...

celi & binks
 
You all just brought me to tears w/ all of your well wishes tonight. Murphy won't eat. I'm holding out for a little while tonight and then we're going over to baby food for tonight. I think she's having a pancreatic bout like my vet said. It could be that the B12 methyl triggered it -- as sensitive as she is.

On everything, Martin Foley from Trudell, who made the Aerokat for feline asthma, and I talked today. Thank God I have him and Dr. Padrid in my corner. They are so knowledgeable. Martin referred me on to a vet at Tufts who is sort of being passed the torch from Dr. Padrid on feline asthma research, and she is now doing extensive research and w/in 1 hour, she had emailed me back and wanted all of Murphy's records and a contact # for my vet. I'm glad I have these individuals on my side and my connections are that good. But, I have forced myself into their educated lives through everything w/ Murphy.

So, she will contact my vet and we'll see. In the meantime, we are reducing the Flovent by one puff p.m., and keeping at 2 puffs a.m., until the weekend, when I can see if I can reduce to one puff a.m. and p.m. I can't do it when I'm away as I won't know what's going on. You are right though, by reducing the cause of this type of Cushing's, she will at least get back some immunity hopefully. In the meantime, they are researching a new inhaled med that doesn't have steroids - they are using it for infants -- get that!

l
 
Hi Lisa...

I just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and sweet little Murphy (I love her avatar!!). I'm glad to hear you have some good vets on your side.

Amy
 
It is so good to read that you have such knowledgeable people helping you - that has to be such a relief. It is wonderful that they want to help you. I wish you the best. oh wow on the research on infants.

Good luck - I hope Murphy feels better soon, hope too she will eat on her own. hang in there, and remember to take care of you too.
 
She did eat most of her dindin, but it took her a while. I'm guessing she is just sick to her tummy still. I gave her sub q's tonight as well, and she had to get the lactulose. Don't think she's had a poo for a few days. Poor baby. Yes, I'm so grateful I have the connections I do, and these are people that have made all the difference in how I've learned about feline asthma. I think the fact is that there is some more significant research that needs to go on about systemic diseases that they may not have paid attention to or delved deep enough into. Murphy is certainly not the norm. I hate to see her not feeling well, you know, you can see it in their eyes. I'm afraid to join the Cushing's forum. It's just so much to digest.
 
Lisa and I spoke about Murphy's need last night. DCIN will be accepting donations to help with Ms. Murphy's outstanding vet expenses from her recent care, which are quite steep. If you can help, please do. Even $5 helps. If you can't donate, your prayers and well wishes are just as important. Donation instructions for DCIN are in my sig line. Murphy will soon have a DCIN Blog page.

Hopefully LLEF also will be able to help with this emergency situation. My understanding from Lisa is that she and the veterinary professionals she is working with hope that with proper care, the Cushing's disease is transient.
 
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