Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/32199
2B Daily News – Monday, May 23, 2011 FEATURES Irksome in-law irritates ilk Cushing’s causes multiple problems Dear Annie: I have always been a generous person. I have allowed my brother, niece, nephew and now mother-in-law to live with me on a temporary basis in order to get their lives together. This hasn’t been easy, and I have tried to deal with them in the calmest possible way, but somehow they always resent it when I ask what their future plans are. My 72-year-old moth- Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar you tell her it was temporary and give her a time limit, or did you just assume she would know? If you don’t make these things crys- tal clear at the outset, there are bound to be sur- prises and hurt feelings. There’s no pleasant way to tell someone er-in-law currently lives with us and, for the most part, keeps to herself in her room. My wife and I agreed to let her move in because her other daugh- ters kept taking advantage of her and using her small apartment for themselves. We thought it would be a good temporary change. We never expected her to stay here for the rest of her life. Mom does annoying things that drive the rest of us completely insane. I tell her, politely, but it continues. I want to tell her to move out, but I feel extremely guilty. My wife agrees that Mom’s pres- ence is creating problems, but she, too, is reluctant to ask her to leave. Mom’s retirement income is suffi- cient to afford her own place. She also has two sisters she visits on the weekends who have offered to let her move in. How do we break the news without looking like the bad guys? — In-Law Crazy in California Dear California: When Mom moved in, did they have overstayed their welcome. Your wife should talk to her mother. Mom might be happier and have a more active social life if she lived in a community of her peers. You both can offer to go with Mom to look at some senior communities or check out the services near her sisters. Dear Annie: My hus- band has a 32-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. She lives near- by, but only visits when I invite her family for din- ner. I make sure to serve foods I know they all enjoy. In the 10 years that we’ve been married, she has invited us to dinner at her home three times. Each time, she served only dishes that contain tomatoes, which she knows I am allergic to. My husband does not think she is being incon- siderate. He says if she invites us again, I should bring my own food. I think I should stay home and eat. My husband thinks this would be rude. I think she acts like she was raised by wolves. Is this acceptable behavior nowadays? — Hungry and Old Fashioned in Baton Rouge, La. Dear Hungry: If your stepdaughter is deliberate- ly making foods you can- not eat, it is both rude and inconsiderate. However, it is in your best interests to get along with her, so we recommend you ignore this. Take your husband’s advice and bring your own food. Say as sweetly as you can, ‘‘I have aller- gies and sometimes can- not eat what others pre- pare.’’ Dear Annie: I had to reply to ‘‘Annoyed,’’ who has a shy 12-year-old niece. I have a 12-year-old daughter with learning disabilities. It was particu- larly hard for her to talk on the phone. Not having the benefit of seeing the person for visual clues was just too stressful for her. After three years of work with a therapist and special ed teachers, she was finally able to carry on a phone conversation with trusted people. My daughter has come a long way. But she avoids those who are as insensi- tive and pushy as ‘‘Annoyed.’’ And I cer- tainly wouldn’t force her to change her behavior to accommodate them. — Mother of a Terrific ‘‘Shy’’ Daughter Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.n et, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. DEAR DR. GOTT: As a faith- ful reader of your column, I have a request: Would you please mention, on April 8, if possible, that April 8 is Cushing’s Aware- ness Day? The world needs to know of this disease. It has changed my life. I was a healthy woman until the age of 55. I knew then that “something” was wrong. Long story short: After more a year, I was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. I have had two brain surgeries, Graves’ disease, recurring Cushing’s and 25 radiation treatments to the pitu- itary. Eight years later, I still live with the effects of this monster. I am on thy- roid medication for life. I have high blood pressure and other health issues, as well. I just want the world to know of this disease. Even if only one person is helped by your printing information about this topic, then a wonderful thing will have been done. Thank you, Dr. Gott. DEAR READER: Unfortunately, I was not able to print your letter, having only received it on April 6. It takes about three weeks before any letter appears in the newspaper. I will, however, print a general overview of the condition. Cushing’s syndrome is a rare endocrine disorder. It occurs when the body produces or receives too much cor- tisol over an extended period of time. It can be the result of prolonged use of high doses of glucocorticosteroids, such as prednisone, or from a malfunction of the body’s natural production. This can be the result of pituitary adenomas (up to 70 percent of cases, known as Cush- ing’s disease), ectopic ACTH (adreno- corticotropic hormone) syndrome (ACTH-secreting tumors or cancer out- side the pituitary), and rarely can be caused by adrenal tumors or inherited. Cortisol is a vital component in the body. It helps the body respond to stress, maintain blood pressure and cardiovas- cular function, regulates carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, reduces the inflammatory response of the immune system, and balances the effects of insulin. The most common symptoms include a rounded face and upper body Dr. Peter Gott (abdomen, upper back, neck and between the shoulders (“buffalo hump”), obesity and relatively slender arms and legs. Other symptoms can include acne, slow-healing cuts, bites or infec- tion, bone loss, muscle weak- ness, fatigue, cognitive difficul- ties, high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels, headaches, thin skin with easy bruising, pur- ple/red stretch marks, depression and/or anxiety, abnormal men- struation and excess body and facial hair in women, and erectile dysfunction and a decrease in libido and fertility in men. Children typically present with obesity and slowed growth. Treatment depends on the cause. Steroid use to control/treat another con- dition often requires lowering the dosage or, if possible, switching to a nonsteroid medication. Pituitary adeno- mas are most often surgically removed. If surgery fails or isn’t an option, radia- tion therapy and/or cortisol-inhibiting drugs may be used. Ectopic ACTH syn- drome can be cured by total removal of the abnormal ACTH-secreting tissue; however, these can be microscopic or widespread at diagnosis and difficult to locate. Cortisol-inhibiting drugs are ben- eficial. If the abnormal source of the ACTH cannot be found, removal of the adrenal glands may be recommended. Adrenal tumors are also treated by sur- gical removal of the adrenal glands. Anyone interested in learning more can go online to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Dis- eases (www2.niddk.nih.gov/), the Hor- mone Foundation (www.hormone.org) or Cushing’s Support and Research Foundation (www.csrf.net). If you think you may have the condition, talk to your physician and ask to be tested for it. If he or she is unable or unwilling, ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. 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