DEAR DR. GOTT:
This is a long story starting in 2001, but I will only tell the last part.
My niece supposedly had a stroke. She then had X-rays that showed she had a small spot of bleeding in her brain. She went to several doctors because she had all kinds of things happening to her like headaches that nothing helped that disappeared, only to be replaced by seizures. She was having trouble walking and her memory was getting worse. Her legs would give out and she would fall. One arm became limp and a host of other things.
All this lasted for two years and was accompanied by numerous hospitalizations. Finally her doctor told her that both carotid arteries were plugged. He said it was caused by plaque. She kept getting worse so her husband changed her doctor and switched hospitals.
The new physician, after seeing her, referred to a teaching hospital. She had a couple of tests and more X-rays. She was told she didn’t have plaque buildup in her carotid arteries, but rather infection, and was then diagnosed with vasculitis.
I am told it is a very rare blood infection. She is now taking large doses of prednisone and her physician says she will likely get most of her memory back. She is getting better already and can now walk by herself again (but still has someone with her at all times, just in case). She has also regained use of her arm.
My reason for writing is that I don’t understand why her new doctor hasn’t let the whole world know about this new disease he has found. He said he has been a doctor for more than 30 years but has only ever seen one other case of vasculitis. When I talked to my personal physician about it, he said he had never even heard of it.
DEAR READER:
Vasculitis is inflammation (not infection) of the blood vessels, capillaries, veins and/or arteries. When this occurs it can weaken and narrow the vessels which may result in blockage. With decreased blood flow, less oxygen can be supplied to muscles and other tissues. If the inflammation is not brought under control, tissue, muscle and organ damage may occur. If the damage is severe, it may result in death.
There are several disorders that fall into the vasculitis family and include Churg-Strauss Syndrome, Kawasaki disease, Wegener’s granulomatosis, polymyalgia rheumatica and more.
While each disorder is different, many of the symptoms overlap. The primary distinguishing point is the type of blood vessels that are affected (small, medium or large). General symptoms include shortness of breath/cough, joint pain, asthma, fever, rash, fatigue/weakness, abdominal pain, visual changes and more.
Vasculitis can affect anyone at anytime but certain forms affect specific age groups more than others. It is considered to be an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body attacks itself.
There is no known cure, but with early diagnosis and treatment, most sufferers can lead relatively normal lives. Treatment can include steroids (prednisone and others), immunosuppressive medications and antibiotics.
I suggest you and your daughter return to her physician to discuss her condition. Vasculitis by itself is not a diagnosis, it is simply a broad term to identify a primary symptom. If you are one of her care-givers, it is also vital that you understand what the condition is, what type of treatment she is on and what warning signs to look for if she has a relapse.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Stroke”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
About Dr. Gott