A BRAVE Studley mother who has Cushing's disease is battling to raise awareness of the rare medical condition, which took eight years to be diagnosed.

Natalie Stokes, of Saint Agnes Close, piled on 10 stone in just two years, transforming her from an active 20-something with a passion for horses and the great outdoors, to a 26-stone woman who struggled to get out of bed.

She made multiple visits to her GP but struggled to receive an accurate diagnosis.

After years of being misdiagnosed, Natalie was referred to a specialist, based in Worcester, who diagnosed Cushing’s disease.

"For the first time I felt listened to. I felt relieved to be ill," the 33-year-old said.

But the condition had not only affected Natalie physically but it also had a serious impact on her mental wellbeing.

"I felt a heaviness inside," she added.

"I became severely anxious and would often have panic attacks. I became paranoid that people were judging me because of my size, and the way I looked."

The disease is caused by a small benign tumour on the pituitary gland in the brain, which controls the amount and types of hormones released into the body.

Last year, Natalie began her treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), having major surgery to reduce the size of her tumour. Surgeons accessed the tumour via a large cut made in the back of the nose.

Natalie said: "Since having the operation, I’ve lost nine stone. It’s made a big difference to my quality of life."

Now, Natalie is backing the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity’s plea to support research into pituitary illness.

The charity funds research into the condition and funds regular support groups for patients with pituitary illnesses.

Natalie added: "I am by no means out of the woods yet, and still suffer the effects of this disease on a daily basis, but I hope that with the support from specialists at QEHB, the future will look more positive. I would ask anyone who has ever experienced difficulty in reaching a diagnosis to consider donating to QEHB Charity, to support research into this lesser-known but debilitating illness."

Prior to her condition Natalie worked all her life and had been training to become a counsellor but affects of the disease on her energy meant that she was unable to qualify. She now supports other sufferers through online forums.

For more information on pituitary research at QEHB, visit qehb.org or write to us at QEHB Charity, Fifth Floor Nuffield House, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TH.