Could this be Amyloidosis?
I’m 57 years old and my health started to become problematic in my mid 40’s, but 9 years ago, things really picked up pace. I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome after a blood test to determine why my arms and hands hurt so much. It was later confirmed via lip biopsy at OHSU. Then I started clotting heavily during my periods, so I have a hysterectomy. I then started having crushing chest pain, but know known heart issue. Then I developed horrible neuropathy and had punch biopsies from the top of my foot to my upper arm that were all positive for sever neuropathy and I was diagnosed with SFN-small fiber neuropathy, bi-lateral. Then I had a massive pulmonary embolism that they thought was perhaps connected to my hysterectomy. But, a year later, once off of my blood thinner, I had another. Then I developed pretty severe heart rhythm issues that kept me sending me to the ER. I finally had my heart shocked/restarted in the hospital because no drugs were helping. My rhythm would go close to 190 and drop to the 30’s. After heart meds, the shock and blood thinners, I still continued to have the same problem, so in January, I had a cardiac ablation. I also had carpal tunnel surgery in both wrists. During this time, I have been holding a ton of fluid in my feet, legs, and abdomen. 5 years ago, I started leaking thin, clear, salty fluid from my right nostril if I lean forward or lay face down, bend over to get into a cupboard, etc. now, it’s both sides, but primarily the right side. Recently, my cPAP hoses have been filling up with this watery substance and I have to get up and shake them out. I get headaches and vertigo, but I can work around it. Lastly, my shins are covered with bumpy, dry plaques that are tight and raised. I have a small number on my arms of random ones.
I feel like every single symptom leads me to Amyloidosis, but my blood test for ATTR was negative 9 years ago, so they brush it off. I FINALLY have a brain MRI on Monday of next week, so hope to find some answers. My former brain MRI’s showed quite a few white spots that the neurologist said were like tiny stroke spots that many older people have. I was in my mid 40’s at the time.
Am I off base to ask for doctors to prove to me that it’s not Amyloidosis?
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I saw my oncologists yesterday and looks like I start treatment on 01-20-2026 with CYBRO D and then journey begins
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