Physical and aquatic therapies help David Beranek “get life back” after Cushing’s disease
Comprehensive Pain Center and Regional Rehabilitation Center team together on Beranek’s recovery
Cushing’s disease is a rare, potentially fatal brain tumor on the pituitary gland that weakens the body’s ability to fend off infections by producing too much cortisone. It affects about one in 200 million people, and is less common in men than women.
As a result, even though David Beranek had virtually every symptom of the disease, it took doctors four years, more than seventeen tests, 35 different medications for his ailments, and heart and lung surgeries before he was properly diagnosed.
Symptoms can vary and the list is long, but often include progressive obesity with weight gain and fatty tissue deposits around the midsection and upper back, face (moon face) and between the shoulders (buffalo hump), as well as skin changes such as thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily, slow healing of cuts or bites, acne and pink stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, breast and arms.
Fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety and irritability, loss of emotional control, cognitive difficulties, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance that may lead to diabetes, headaches, and bone loss, leading to osteoporosis and fractures over time are also symptoms. Men with Cushing’s may experience a decreased libido, decreased fertility and erectile dysfunction.
Beranek’s first symptoms began as a series of odd illnesses. Because his doctors didn’t find a cause or diagnosis, he was treated for his growing number of symptoms. Tests, surgeries and medications became a way of life for Beranek as his health continued to deteriorate.
Unbeknownst to Beranek or his doctors, a small, benign tumor growing on his pituitary gland was the cause of his problems. The tumor depleted the potassium and calcium in his body, resulting in a severe case of osteoporosis. At 42, his bones were as porous as a 99 year old man’s.
“I reached to tie my shoe and broke the C3 vertebra in my back,” says Beranek. “Doctors used a titanium screw and cadaver bone to fix this.”
In 2002, Beranek was referred to the Multidisciplinary pain group within what is now called Salem Health’s Comprehensive Pain Center due to wasting muscle tissue and bone pain. After being evaluated in a neuro-psychology program, physical therapy was recommended.
By 2003, Beranek’s tumor and resulting Cushing’s disease were discovered, and the tumor was successfully removed. His illness had progressed to the point where he could no longer teach, and he had to take a leave of absence from work.
Beranek returned to the pain center and began physical therapy again a few months following his brain surgery.
The therapist started Beranek with aquatic therapy, and slowly and methodically worked on building back muscle strength until he was capable of weight bearing activities on land too.
Since his therapist knew his physical abilities from prior to his surgery, he honed in on specific muscle spasms and areas of weakness.
“I have been able to return to my ‘old life and self’ as a result of the improvements I made from aquatic and physical therapy,” remarks Beranek, father of four and husband of 25 years. “I can’t express enough gratitude to the people who treated me and through physical and aquatic therapy helped me recover and get my life back. I truly believe this program got me back on my feet, and back to my family and work.”
Beranek wants other people to know how much they could benefit from aquatic therapy and physical therapy. “The Salem Health Regional Rehabilitation Center’s pool is one of the warmest in the area, making it ideal for people in my condition, the elderly and many others,” says Beranek.
Beranek says, “This was a huge odyssey -- an odyssey of hope, not despair.” As he went through aquatic and physical therapy, he did home exercises throughout the week. He made steady, incremental improvement. Sometimes it was painful, but he knew the end result would be better movement, walking again, more interaction with his family and hopefully the ability to work again.
Additionally, his doctor at the Comprehensive Pain Center helped manage his pain with pain medication and referred him to other specialists who could help treat his various symptoms.
“I went from being wheelchair bound to using an oxygen tank and a walker to a cane,” says Beranek. “It is so important to have confidence that you are receiving the right treatment for your condition from well-educated, well-informed people who want you to get better. I have confidence in the whole structure of Salem Health.”
Beranek returned to work in August of 2008 after nearly a five year absence. “My doctor at the Comprehensive Pain Center wrote a letter to my employer in regards to my limitations, but also my ability to work again,” Beranek recalls. “I think that was integral in my getting re-employed.”
He has been awarded “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” from the Pacific Northwest Council on Foreign Language and “Teacher of Year for Oregon” from COFLT (Conference in Oregon for Foreign Language Teaching).
Beranek’s pain medications have been reduced over time, so he only uses what is necessary to function. Beranek hopes to get to a point where he no longer requires any prescription pain medications.
Although his joints and muscles are still challenged from the loss of bone, he no longer requires physical therapy sessions. Beranek has been given a toolkit of physical therapy activities he can practice at home that reduce his pain almost immediately. And, anytime he needs a refresher on exercises, his rehabilitation team at Salem Health has been happy to help.