Buffalo Hump - Women's Health Message Board

cowgirl2703 · 01-19-2005, 09:32 AM

My mom has a huge buffalo hump, or fatty deposit on upper back right below neck. It seems that I have inheritted it, although mine is small. I want to know if anyone here knows anything about it and if we can get rid of them permanently. Thanks.

Oh, also, I am not obese. I am about 130 lbs. and 5'5". My mom is not obese although pretty overweight. She has had her bone density checked and it checked out really good. I am assuming this type of thing may be something we inherited. Anyway, if anyone can help me, that would be greatly appreciated.

BorderGirl · 01-19-2005, 09:55 AM

Wow this is an unusal question. But I'd would make an appointment RIGHT NOW with an endocrinologist for both you and your mom. If you can't get into an endocrinologist soon, go ahead and make two appointments. One with an endo and one with whatever doctor you have. Ask to have cortisol checked in a 24 hour urinary free cortisol test.
That is a huge symptom of Cushings Disease. I have it, and yes, it is somewhat serious. It can be caused by medications (corticosteroids, in particular I think), a pituitary tumor which will need to be removed but it is routine surgery, through the nose, so you don't need a craniotomy, or an adrenal tumor which I don't know much about.
I suppose it could be nothing, but this really is a very common symptom of Cushings Disease and if thats what it is you both need treatment ASAP.

cowgirl2703 · 01-19-2005, 10:18 AM

Thanks. I will make an appointment. Also, I don't have any other symptoms besides what I have that is due to my hypothyroidism. But I guess you don't need all the symptoms to be a problem. Do the symptoms of this, including the hump, go away after treatment?

BorderGirl · 01-19-2005, 10:48 AM

Yep it goes away. Other symptoms to look for would be weight gain (especially in the abdomen with possible thinning of the arms and legs), a rounding of the face, a thinning of the skin and easy bruising, diabetes, high blood pressure, acne, excess hair growth.
I actually don't have many symptoms, just acne really. I have a pit tumor. Which in 99% of cases aren't cancerous by the way. And this might be a bit of a stretch but pit tumors can raise and lower your tsh level, so there is a chance there could be a connection.
I hope I'm wrong and you and your mom are perfectly healthy

cowgirl2703 · 01-19-2005, 11:19 AM

I do have weight gain but that is partly from the hypothyroidism. The women in my family also tend to gain most of their weight in the belly too. I don't have thinning in the arms or legs. I made an appointment for tomorrow at 10:45 to rule it out. How does the 24 hour cortisol test work? Thanks for your help!! I want to know as soon as I possibly can. I just hope I will know by Friday and not have to wait until next week. Why do these things always come up at the end of the week?!