Woman’s ‘Cold’ Revealed as Life-Threatening Autoimmune Disease
A UK woman initially dismissed a persistent illness as a cold,only to discover she was suffering from a rare and aggressive autoimmune disease that caused her to cough up blood and experience multi-organ failure.
Elysha, whose last name has not been released, experienced debilitating fatigue and flu-like symptoms that worsened over time. Initially, she believed she was simply battling a prolonged cold. However, the condition rapidly deteriorated, culminating in her coughing up “chunks of blood” and collapsing from exhaustion, eventually sleeping for four days straight.
“I was overjoyed to get a diagnosis, I couldn’t help but feel like my life was over,” Elysha stated.
After a lengthy diagnostic process, doctors determined Elysha was suffering from anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy fats in the blood, leading to blood clots and organ damage. The disease can affect any organ, and in elysha’s case, it impacted her kidneys, lungs, nerves, and skin.
“For the longest time, I felt like I was going mad,” she said.
Elysha underwent treatment with steroids and chemotherapy and now requires six-monthly drug infusions for life. She continues to battle chronic fatigue and frequent flare-ups, experiencing excruciating kidney pain if she doesn’t stay adequately hydrated. Her compromised immune system leaves her vulnerable to constant colds.
“Fatigue pretty much rules my life and flare ups happen frequently enough,” she explained. “There’s also nose bleeds, lung damage and broken nerves, which affects my blood circulation. I’m scared to go out most of the time as my immune system is so low and I catch colds constantly.”
Despite the ongoing challenges,Elysha remains determined to raise awareness about APS and the importance of advocating for one’s health.
“I’ve tried not to let this battle hold me back in life,” she said. “It’s taught me that I’m the only one who knows my body. Always trust your gut instinct and if something doesn’t feel right, keep pestering peopel untill they listen. It might seem hard, but it could save your life.”
About Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome: APS is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1 in 5,000 people, though many cases remain undiagnosed. Symptoms vary widely and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis challenging. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications, including stroke, heart attack, and organ failure.
