biggest hugs Ive come across this the person with the conditon stays calm and the partner does the freaking..Im going to be honest for myself even after four years its a emotional rollercoaster ..I had one lot of tests done waiting for results doing the wonder are they ok doing the looking calm on inside worrying inwardly ..I let another week go past..I decided to ring what did I get results looked at and then sent to records..AHEM lets forget the important one LOL tourture me why not..this is the thing always something I have a poster its a stress one you hit head on it LOL...you are so wonderful but medical profession oh boy lots of waiting ..I think they do it to take our minds off the conditon LMAO..being serious just keep on their case...write things down..but also please have some fun as a couple this gets stressful for both..

The hardest bit has happened -- you now have a diagnosis!

There is little you can do but wait. Take some time to read up on the treatment options, but don't jump into making any decisions until you have a full understanding of the test results and what they mean.

John

First thing, don't panic. That advice won't stop you panicking, but here's hoping.

The thing your husband can do is to start talking about it with somebody. It's best for HIM to be on a discussion forum.

Read, read and read. Get him to be an expert in the subject. Knowledge is power as they say. The more knowledge he has the more control he will have of his condition.

As he gains knowledge he will recognise that the main hurdle with acromegaly today is diagnosis. It's not going to be plain sailing, but it's not "doom-and-gloom" for most people either once treated.

Treatment is likely to stop any further deterioration, and possibly/probably going to improve things.

Tesosterone will probably improve once treated.

If you are trying for children, then it is worth banking sperm before the operation. The operation has a chance of reducing the overall pituitary function which also affect the "little men". Once mine were banked it took a lot of pressure off me.

Thankfully, the Tesosterone level improved after surgery, although it never dipped much below normal range before.

So, as for proactive: Get books on the subject, get HIM involved, try and meet others with the condition, get stuff banked.

For me, what was very therapeutic was starting a "blog" (an online diary). It made me feel that my difficulties might one day help somebody. The project of writing a blog helped me focus in, and has even helped me when things were not going right and I was contacted by my hospital when they read it!

The question is this. If there is a traffic jam, do you just sit there, or would you prefer another journey that keeps you moving even if it takes the same amount of time in the end? Do you want to feel like just a "victim" of the traffic jam or one actively "working out your own route"?

Getting information, making an effort to meet others, writing about it is like "working out your own route". Ultimately it make no difference to the destination, but it make the journey rewarding, encouraging, and is likely to help others along the way.

And we're all just here to help each other out.

Trys
www.acromegaly.wordpress.com

I have only recently been diagnosed and I'm just waiting for my appoinment with a surgeon in a couple of weeks. Whilst initially I was quite shocked and scared at the diagnosis, it quite quickly turned to relief as all of a sudden I had an answer to all the health issues I had developed over the last 5 to 10 years and the condition is treatable. What's more - it had finally been diagnosed which, as John pointed out, is often the hardest bit.
I am now dealing with my fear of surgery and hospitals but I am trying to focus on the destination rather than the journey.
It sounds like your husband is already off to a good start by having a supporting and concerned wife!
It is a frustrating time waiting for the results and appointments though. Keeping busy helps to keep my mind off them and I have used the time to research the condition and read other poeple's Acromegaly stories. I learnt more about the condition from the internet than I did from my Endo.
Take care.

My IGF-1 results came in yesterday too, i was told there pretty high which confirmed my fears. Gaps in lower teeth, nose enlarging and hands. Also i have suffered from sleep apnea for 5 years plus. Booked to see endo on thurs will keep u updated. I was told not to jump the gun as i started asking about surgery on the phone! Perhaps there are other methods but from what i have read removal surgically is most effective.

Thanks everyone. I am going to have to be my husband's spokesperson on this one. Online support groups, heck, online anything is not his thing. I can see him soaking up the knowledge I bring to him and he asks me questions when he's ready. He knows I'm on these forums for him and he appreciates it.

Special thanks to Tryst for wording things in a way I couldn't. I do not sit in traffic jams! I find a way around them. I've told people a million times I'd rather drive for an hour than sit still for an hour. Thanks for giving me that perspective.

Mike-When I look at your pictures I see my husband. I see him in John as well. I'm going to start a separate thread regarding this. Sounds like you'll be going through things around the same time as us. Hopefully, we can lean on each other.

Acrobully-My husband has his sleep study scheduled. Dr. said it's a no no to go through surgery with untreated apnea. So you might want to discuss this with your doctor.