For Nicole Peace, the signs had been building for a while dizzy spells, unexplained weight gain, persistent headaches, brain fog and a gradual darkening of her skin. Like many people juggling the demands of daily life, she initially put it all down to stress. What she eventually learned, after years of unanswered questions and a battery of medical tests, was that her body had been signaling something far more serious.
Peace, a Maryland resident, recently shared her experience with WBAL-TV 11 News, recounting a diagnostic journey that tested her patience and resilience before finally delivering a name for what she had been living with: Cushing’s disease.
Searching for answers
In the early stages, medical visits offered little clarity. Standard bloodwork came back appearing normal, and the source of her symptoms remained elusive. It was not until a 2025 appointment with an endocrinologist that more targeted testing was considered. A pituitary panel — which had not previously been ordered ultimately changed everything.
The results showed elevated levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone, commonly known as ACTH. Those findings pointed directly to Cushing’s disease, and imaging scans that followed confirmed the presence of a benign tumor.
What Cushing’s disease actually is
Cushing syndrome is a rare hormonal condition that develops when the body is exposed to excess cortisol over a prolonged period. Cortisol is a hormone that plays an essential role in a wide range of bodily functions, but when levels run too high, the effects can be far-reaching. Symptoms can include weight gain, fatigue, mood shifts and visible skin changes all of which Peace experienced before her diagnosis.
The condition can stem from long-term use of certain medications, or from tumors on the pituitary or adrenal glands. In many cases, as with Peace, the culprit is a pituitary tumor that drives excess ACTH production, which in turn triggers an overproduction of cortisol.
The Endocrine Society notes that Cushing’s disease is rare, affecting roughly 10 to 15 people per million annually. It is more common in women, particularly those between the ages of 20 and 50.
Left untreated, the condition can become life-threatening. Excess cortisol raises the risk of serious complications including infections, blood clots, high blood pressure and diabetes. With the right treatment plan which may involve surgery, medication or changes to steroid use — many patients are able to manage their symptoms and maintain a normal life expectancy.
Recovery proved to be the hardest part
Peace underwent treatment, but she has been candid about the fact that getting through surgery was only part of the battle. The recovery process, she says, has been the most grueling stretch of the entire experience marked by unpredictable energy levels that could swing dramatically from one day to the next. On some days, she felt capable of taking on anything; on others, getting out of bed felt impossible.
She is currently on hormone replacement therapy and continues to work toward finding the right balance with her medications. Lingering symptoms including headaches, brain fog and cognitive delays are still part of her daily reality, though she remains focused on moving forward.
Her message to others
Peace is speaking out because she believes her story could help someone else avoid years of uncertainty. Her core message is straightforward, pay attention to your body, and do not dismiss symptoms simply because they seem minor or easy to explain away.
She points out that it can be tempting to attribute fatigue, dizziness or mood changes to the ordinary pressures of life. But those seemingly small signs, as her experience shows, can sometimes be pointing to something that requires real medical attention.
For anyone navigating unexplained symptoms without clear answers, Peace’s story is a reminder that persistence matters and that pushing for the right tests can make all the difference.
