Five years ago Maureen Mohabir noticed that her stomach had started to swell for no apparent reason; not long after her feet also started to swell.
Mohabir visited many different doctors in an attempt to find out what was wrong with her. While some doctors told her that they had no idea what was wrong with her others diagnosed kidney problems and prescribed different medication which she took but got no relief. Her body continued to swell and additional problems, such as depression and haemorrhaging started.
Prior to the swelling of her body, which now includes her neck; Mohabir was considered to be a “busy body” and always took care of herself. Today, the 42-year-old mother of two grown children, who resides in Linden, finds it difficult to even take care of her personal needs. The disease has affected her once perfect eyesight and she has since had to wear glasses.
After years of seeking the truth about what ailed her, she visited a doctor who diagnosed her with a rare disease called Cushing’s disease. The doctor was able to pinpoint what was wrong with her because she had seen someone else out of Guyana with the same disease.
Mohabir travelled to Trinidad for confirmation of the diagnosis which was done as she had all the symptoms of the disease.
The woman’s brother, Anthony Mohabir, recently told Stabroek News that his sister is in dire need of an operation, which has to be done in Trinidad. But because she has had to make several trips to Trinidad for tests and follow-up doctor’s visits the family has no way of finding the US$12,000 needed for the operation that would remove the adrenal gland, found at the top of the kidney. The operation is expected to be done by Dr Dilip Dan in Trinidad and the family is appealing to the public for assistance in raising the funds for the surgery, which should be done in another two weeks.
They have since approached the Region Ten Welfare & Women’s Affairs Committee and a telethon is expected to be held shortly in the mining town. A bank account, #516-773-9, has been set up by the committee at Republic Bank in the name of the Regional Women’s Affairs Committee. Persons wishing to assist the woman can deposit money in the account or they can contact the family on telephone numbers, 444-4214 or 617-1158. Valerie Sharpe of the women’s welfare committee can also be contacted on telephone numbers; 444-6058 or 4440-3048.
Cushing’s disease is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. Sometimes called “hypercortisolism,” it is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50. An estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year.
Symptoms of the disease vary, but most people have upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, and thinning arms and legs.
Other symptoms appear in the skin, which becomes fragile and thin. It bruises easily and heals poorly. Purplish pink stretch marks may appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts. The bones are weakened and routine activities such as bending, lifting or rising from a chair may lead to backaches, rib and spinal column fractures. Most of the symptoms are being experienced by the woman.
Most people have severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Irritability, anxiety and depression are common.
Women usually have excess hair growth on their faces, necks, chests, abdomens, and thighs. Their menstrual periods may become irregular or stop. Men have decreased fertility with diminished or absent desire for sex.
