What IS remission?

[uhmayzing]

I suppose the title says it all. My last rounds of bloodwork came back "normal". Even so, I still go 3-10 times a day (better than the 30 before dx and treatment), still cannot handle a normal physical workload for a 34 year old, fatigue, nausea, urgency, crampy pain. The only symptom that is completely gone is the blood. So, I ask what is remission? For a cancer patient, it means disease and symptom free. What about for IBD? Is it just a more controlled level of symptoms? I'm just at a loss what to expect...I thought with all these medications and dietary restrictions I would be in better shape than this...

Uhmayzing
DX IBD (looks like CD, but in colon only and biopsy inconclusive) March 2011
Current Meds
Asacol
Prilosec
6MP
Nestabs, Vit D3, Iron

 

[David]

Hi there and welcome to the forum

We had a discussion about what everyone defined as remission here. That might help I personally define it as no sign of active disease meaning not just symptom free, but tests are normal as well.

If you're so inclined, we'd love to get to know you more and properly welcome you. Feel free to share your story here if you like

 

[Jobell]

Good question Uhmayzing. I have wondered the same thing. If I don't have pain on a regular basis, and live a more or less normal life, is that remission?
on the other hand, the minute i stop antibiotics, I get an abscess. So, I guess the disease is still active and controlled.
I have to go to the washroom 10 times a day, I think because they took out the valve when they did my resection.
But am I in remission - have I ever been in remission these long 12 years. Is there even an official, medical definition of remission, or is it variable dependent on the condition of each patient.