Vasculitis frustration
Anyone coping with vasculitis. I need advice for a wonderful 87 year old lady with autoimmune diseases whose worst problem at this time is vasculitis. Please post to me here about your experiences and medical choices.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.
Hello @faustina. Aw, that poor dear. Let’s see if I can find some members to connect you with who may be able to offer some suggestions. We have several discussions in the forum with members who have vasculitis. However, there are at least 17 forms of this condition. Would you happen to know the type of vasculitis your friend has?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasculitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20363435
https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/education/forms/
Is she already taking any meds for this or her autoimmune disease? What are her symptoms?
Hi @faustina. Last year I was diagnosed with a relatively rare form of vasculitis that attacks my small & medium blood vessles, kidneys, and respiratory system. I find that my biggest challenge with the vasculitis is the constant fatigue. Some days are better than others, but fatigue and joint pain is my constant companion. I find taking a magnesium & vitamin D supplements help with the pain. I also take 2,000mg of Tylenol to help manage the pain. Extra rest & sleep on the days I'm extremely fatigued helps. Sometimes I must completely rest for a couple of days in order to function on a somewhat normal basis. My type of vasculitis also requires I have an infusion of Rituxan every 4 months to keep the ANCA suppressed. Unfortunately, that strips away my immune system.
Do you know what type of vasculitis she has?