Amy Schumer Says She Received Cushing Syndrome Diagnosis Thanks to Online Comments

What Led to Her Diagnosis

Amy Schumer was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome, a hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the body, thanks to comments from people on the internet who noticed her “puffier face,” she recently shared.

Speaking on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, she said that medical professionals addressing her online told her to seek medical attention for Cushing syndrome.

“Doctors were chiming in in the comments and they were, like, ‘No, no … something’s really up. Your face looks so crazy.’” she continued. “And I’m like, wait, I’m getting trolled by doctors? They were like, ‘We think you have something called Cushing and it’s like, about spiking cortisol, about cortisol levels and steroids, injection whatever.”

What is Cushing Syndrome?

Mayo Clinic describes Cushing syndrome as a condition that occurs when the body produces too much cortisol over a long period of time, or from taking glucocorticoid medicines. There are two types of Cushing syndrome: exogenous and endogenous. Exogenous Cushing syndrome is brought on by taking glucocorticoid medicines, which are typically used to treat inflammatory diseases and pain. This is the version Schumer was diagnosed with.

Symptoms of Cushing Syndrome

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are common symptoms of Cushing syndrome for both men and women:

• Weight gain in the trunk of the body, accompanied by thin arms and legs
• Weight gain in the face, sometimes called “moon face”
• A fatty lump between the shoulders, sometimes called a “buffalo hump”
• Pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms
• Thin, frail skin that bruises easily
• Slow wound healing
• Acne

Is Cushing Syndrome Fatal and What Are the Treatments?

Cushing syndrome is treatable. The goal of treatment is to lower cortisol in the body, according to Mayo Clinic, which can involve lowering the use of glucocorticoid medicine, surgery, radiation therapy and medicine. Some medications used for treatment include ketoconazole, osilodrostat (Isturisa), mitotane (Lysodren), levoketoconazole (Recorlev), and metyrapone (Metopirone), mifepristone (Korlym, Mifeprex) and Pasireotide (Signifor).

What Else Has Amy Schumer Said About Her Health?

In a Feb. 15 Instagram post, the “Life & Beth” star reminded followers that she’s been diagnosed with endometriosis, which the Mayo Clinic describes as an often painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. In September 2021, Schumer revealed that she had her uterus and appendix removed due to endometriosis.

Conclusion

Amy Schumer’s experience with Cushing syndrome is a reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking medical attention when necessary. Her openness about her health issues has also helped to raise awareness about endometriosis and other conditions.

FAQs

Q: What is Cushing syndrome?
A: Cushing syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the body, which can be caused by taking glucocorticoid medicines or having a problem with the pituitary or adrenal glands.

Q: What are the symptoms of Cushing syndrome?
A: Common symptoms of Cushing syndrome include weight gain in the trunk of the body, weight gain in the face, fatty lumps, stretch marks, thin skin, slow wound healing, and acne.

Q: Is Cushing syndrome fatal?
A: Cushing syndrome is treatable, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, infections, and loss of muscle mass.

Q: What are the treatments for Cushing syndrome?
A: Treatments for Cushing syndrome include lowering the use of glucocorticoid medicine, surgery, radiation therapy, and medicine.