Understanding My Health Journey: Remission vs. Cure
- Age: 72 - Gender: Female - Height: 5 feet - Weight: 250 pounds - Ethnicity: Caucasian - Duration of Health Concerns: Not particularly an issue - Affected Area: Pituitary Gland - Relevant Medical Conditions: High Blood Pressure, Hashimoto's Disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - Medications: Prevacid, Bisoprolol, Levothyroxine, Pregabalin Back in 2006, I received a diagnosis of Acromegaly and subsequently underwent a transsphenoidal surgery for the removal of a tumor from my pituitary gland. Unfortunately, a portion of the tumor remained post-surgery, prompting me to start monthly octreotide injections. For many years, I underwent MRI scans every nine months and had annual visual field assessments. Approximately ten years ago, following a trial initiated by my doctor due to clear results from my MRI, I was taken off the medication, and my growth hormone and IGF-1 levels remained stable within the normal range. I continue to have yearly tests for visual fields and IGF-1 blood levels, all of which have shown positive results. Thus, my question remains: am I experiencing remission or have I achieved a full cure? While the distinction is intriguing, it doesn’t significantly impact my life. Thank you for your insights!
Answers (1)
8/28/2025, 2:02:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
You've provided a detailed overview of your health journey following your diagnosis of acromegaly and subsequent treatment. It's wonderful to hear that you have stable IGF-1 levels and positive visual field assessments.
Main Points:
- Definition of Remission vs. Cure
- Current Status of Your Health
- Ongoing Monitoring and Care
Explanation:
-
Remission is when disease symptoms are reduced or undetectable, while cure implies the disease has been completely eradicated and will not return. In your case, your levels remaining stable and the absence of symptoms since discontinuing medication may suggest a state of remission, but as part of your treatment history, there may still be a risk of recurrence due to the remaining portion of the tumor.
-
Since you underwent surgery to remove the tumor but some remains and have been kept under careful observation with normal levels, it's reasonable to classify your condition as being in remission. Ongoing monitoring is particularly crucial to ensure that any potential changes are caught early.
Next Steps:
- Continue Annual Tests: Keep up with your yearly visual field tests and IGF-1 blood levels, as these are essential in monitoring your condition and catching any changes promptly.
- Stay Informed: Maintain communication with your healthcare team about any symptoms or changes you may notice. This will help you remain proactive regarding your health.
- Focus on Overall Health: Given your other conditions like high blood pressure, Hashimoto's disease, and GERD, make sure to manage these with your healthcare provider to improve your overall health, as a well-managed body can support better outcomes.
While the distinction between remission and cure may not greatly affect your daily life, being informed and actively participating in your health management remains important. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Supporting My Husband's Fears About Surgery and Anesthesia
Hello everyone, I am reaching out for guidance regarding my husband, a 32-year-old who weighs 100 kg and stands at 172 cm tall. He is scheduled to undergo a minor surgical procedure for the removal of several teeth and treatment for cavities. As an individual on the autism spectrum, he is particularly sensitive to stimuli such as bright lights, loud sounds, and intense vibrations. His anxiety escalates in medical settings, especially when it involves dental work, and to say that he is uneasy with his dentist would be an understatement. Due to these sensitivities, general anesthesia will be necessary for his surgery. To complicate matters further, my husband has a deep-seated fear of anesthesia stemming from a traumatic experience in his past—his father passed away during a surgical procedure under anesthesia due to serious health complications, particularly cardiac issues. This background has understandably heightened his anxiety about undergoing anesthesia himself. I would be grateful for any suggestions on how to ease his worries. Since he is autistic, he tends to respond better to clear, factual information. It would be helpful to convey to him straightforward details such as what measures are in place in case of emergencies, statistics regarding safety, and the protocols established to protect him during the procedure.
Experiencing Unusual Neurological Symptoms: Should I Be Worried?
I am an 18-year-old male and I've been facing some unusual neurological symptoms lately. Is this a cause for concern? There are moments when I perform a sequence of actions in quick succession, and I feel as though my brain skips a beat, leading to unexpected outcomes. These occurrences primarily manifest when I attempt to execute actions that I have mentally outlined in advance and do so rapidly. For instance, when I engage in conversation, I often have a general idea of what I want to express, yet I don’t articulate every word precisely. While speaking quickly, I experience a peculiar sensation about halfway through my thoughts, as if I momentarily lose consciousness. This feeling leaves me as a spectator in my own body, resulting in a nonsensical noise escaping my mouth instead of my intended statement. It’s remarkably disorienting, yet strangely, it doesn’t disrupt my ongoing thought process. By the time I realize what has happened, I’ve usually continued speaking, leaving little time to react. Oddly enough, those around me do not seem to notice this anomaly. This isn’t merely a stumble or a stutter. I understand the difference; stuttering involves misjudging muscle movements in speech. While I do tend to stutter when speaking rapidly, this experience feels fundamentally different. I’ve also noticed this phenomenon when I type quickly. When attempting to input longer words, I encounter a similar moment of disconnect. Instead of hitting the intended keys, my hands carry out erratic movements than those I had envisioned. It’s essential to clarify that this disconnection doesn’t leave me feeling blank. My vision remains completely clear, and I remain mentally aware throughout the experience. Yet, it feels as if I am merely an observer, not actively processing what unfolds; I am present but not engaged. In my interpretation, it seems as though I’ve mentally prepared for an action, but when the moment comes to execute it too rapidly, my brain becomes overwhelmed. This results in a chaotic mishmash of outputs rather than the clear message I had originally planned. This issue does not appear to hinder any other aspects of my daily life apart from being somewhat inconvenient. The incidents occur roughly once every month or two and are triggered by the described patterns of movement rather than a specific schedule. Could there be a logical explanation for this? Should I be worried about these experiences?
Experiencing Blood Clot in Stool and Chest Discomfort
I hope this post adheres to the guidelines, although I realize emergency situations are typically not accepted. However, I’m unsure if my current situation qualifies as an emergency since I feel generally well. I am a 25-year-old woman diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). My medication regimen includes oral contraceptives, metoprolol (50 mg), trazodone (100 mg), spironolactone (25 mg), Prozac (20 mg), and Jynarque (30/15 mg), in addition to promethazine for nausea as needed. I have regular consultations with a nephrologist for my PKD, which is currently in its early stages, and my glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is stable. Due to my PKD, I have experienced frequent nausea and vomiting for the past decade. Recently, I have begun to face difficulties with swallowing, alongside a sensation of a lump in my throat and chest discomfort. After discussing these symptoms with my primary care physician, she suspected a potential stricture or ulcer stemming from my extensive vomiting history and recommended an endoscopy. I’m currently waiting for scheduling details for that procedure. Earlier today, the chest and upper abdominal discomfort intensified, and during a bowel movement about an hour ago, I noticed a significant blood clot in my stool—about the size of my thumb. While it was not during my menstrual period, the clot resembled those typically seen at that time. Additionally, there was some mucus-like material, but the stool itself wasn't black, and the blood was localized to that single clot. Does this seem consistent with what my primary care doctor has indicated? Is it reasonable to hold off on the endoscopy for now? I’m not seeking specific medical guidance here; I would absolutely head to the emergency room if my pain escalates to an unbearable level. Currently, it's not severe enough for me to feel justified in using emergency services for what might be a routine aspect of my ongoing health situation. Thank you for any advice, and I apologize again if this inquiry falls outside of the accepted topics!
Navigating Chronic Nausea: Seeking Help
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out to seek advice and your insights regarding some persistent health challenges I've been facing. * I’m a 21-year-old female, standing at 5'8", weighing 160 lbs. * I have been struggling with chronic nausea for the past year and a half. * My only diagnosed medical issue is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). * I am not taking any medications at the moment. * I do not smoke and consume alcohol occasionally, but my intake has significantly decreased since the onset of symptoms. * Symptoms Overview: * Over the last 18 months, I have dealt with chronic nausea accompanied by a diminished appetite. * This began quite unexpectedly in February 2024. Initially, I attributed it to a potential stomach bug, as I was only experiencing nausea and mild stomach discomfort. * However, the nausea persisted daily for about three months. * Since then, my symptoms evolved into a more episodic experience, sometimes feeling fine and at other times enduring intense nausea. My appetite fluctuates, though I manage to eat even when feeling unwell. * Recently, I’ve noticed that my appetite loss has intensified alongside the nausea, and I often experience frequent burping. * Presentation of Symptoms: * Typically, I awaken with nausea, which can last throughout the day. The severity is unpredictable, with episodes stretching from a few days to a week, followed by a lull that may return unexpectedly weeks later. Some months are better, whereas others are riddled with discomfort. * I have conducted extensive research and have undergone numerous lab tests to uncover the underlying cause of these issues. Unfortunately, I feel as if I've hit a wall; some healthcare professionals have been dismissive, providing little hope for further exploration. Thus, I'm reaching out for any additional insights or recommendations from those who may have encountered similar situations. * A crucial piece of my medical history is that I had a suspected COVID-19 infection six months before the onset of nausea. This discovery came to light due to ongoing headaches that prompted blood testing, which revealed my COVID antibodies were significantly elevated, suggesting possible post-COVID symptoms. The headaches eventually subsided after four months, but shortly after that, I began experiencing nausea. Interestingly, I also had a confirmed COVID-19 infection six months after my nausea began (August 2024). I am beginning to wonder if this is a long COVID-related issue, as I’ve read it can disturb the gut-brain connection, microbiome, and vagus nerve. * Lab Results: I have undergone several tests, including: CBC with differential, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, iron and total iron binding capacity, tests for Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, Hepatitis C antibodies, lipid panel, thyroid (TSH with free T4), and hemoglobin A1c—all results returned normal. * The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) was mostly normal, though my glucose was slightly elevated at 100, which may relate to my PCOS and insulin resistance. * I also completed an at-home H. pylori stool test which came back negative, but I might consider following up with a healthcare provider. * From what I’ve researched, I know that numerous factors can lead to nausea. However, given my lab results, I feel many possibilities have been eliminated, and my symptoms don't align with a number of other conditions. I don’t experience neurological or vestibular symptoms, nor do I have other endocrine or metabolic disorders (my CMP was normal), and I don’t have psychological issues or take any medications. I’m not pregnant, nor do I exhibit typical signs of dysautonomia, and I am free from pain, bloating, or feelings of fullness. * Consequently, I suspect a post-viral condition related to COVID-19 may be manifesting through gastrointestinal issues, possibly exacerbated by hormonal and blood sugar fluctuations due to PCOS. Prior to this, I had no digestive complaints and maintained a healthy appetite and lifestyle. * Other potential considerations include: * Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) * Mild gastroparesis (although I have no early fullness or bloating) * Gallbladder or pancreas dysfunction * Latent food intolerance (perhaps gluten?) * Potential Addison's disease * Hyperparathyroidism (notably, my calcium levels were at 10, which is at the high-normal range) * I apologize for the lengthy message, but I am sincerely grateful for any thoughts, advice, or experiences shared by medical professionals or others who may recognize similar symptoms. Experiencing significant health concerns at such a young age without clear guidance from my healthcare providers has been incredibly frustrating. This situation has severely impacted my quality of life, and I am longing to return to better health. * Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this and offers support; your kindness and willingness to share your insights are immensely appreciated!
Understanding Dent Disease
At 26 years old, I recently received a diagnosis that has eluded doctors for nearly three years. After countless visits and discussions, a professor finally identified the issue, which brought me immense relief. He mentioned that throughout his extensive career, he’s encountered this condition only once—during a lecture two decades ago. While I understand it’s not life-threatening, especially since I’m on ramipril to support my kidney function, I find myself overwhelmed by the scarcity of information available on this rare disease. Given that only around 300 individuals are affected, I feel somewhat isolated in my situation and unsure of where to seek help or connect with others who understand what I'm experiencing. There is a foundation dedicated to this disease, but I found it lacking in practical resources. Furthermore, there seems to be no equivalent support in the UK. I’m sharing this in hopes that I might connect with others, be they doctors or individuals with similar experiences, who can provide insight or share their journeys with Dent disease.