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Ionut
04-21-2014, 09:51 PM
Hi guys,

I am posting on behalf of my mother as she is not so familiar with forums. I will check back here from time to time and reply to any questions. Let me start with a short history of the disease and progress so far, please bear with me as English is not my first language and medical terms will be even harder to write correctly.

She was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 49. It took Romanian doctors 5 months to find out what the problem was. First symptoms were sinus pain on the right side. Doctors thought this was a dental issue and removed 2 teeth, it did not help. After this a mark on the left foot appeared (like a big pimple). Dermatologist checked it and concluded it was not a skin issue and sent her to have an x-ray. This x-ray showed that same mark was also on the lower part of the right lung and was starting to appear also on the upper part of the right lung. She entered a specialized lung hospital where they found out the disease is Wegener Granulomatosis. In July 2005 she started on treatment of Medrol pills and Cyclophosphamide IV for 1 year. After 1 year of treatment the leg mark disappeared but the lung one was still present so they operated removed the lower part of the right lung and cleaned the upper part. This was happening in August 2006. After the operation she continued the same treatment only with progressive reduction in the mgs of Medrol. After another year the upper part of the right lung became ill again (the one that was just cleaned during the first operation). In July 2007 they operated again and removed completely the right lung. She continued the treatment with Medrol (down to 4 mg now) and Cyclophosphamide was replaced by Imuran (Azathioprina). In May 2009 they decided to stop the treatment for a while, now she was just taking Medrol 4mg. In August 2009 the disease spread the the right eye. In September 2009 they operated on the right eye -the eye is still there but the optical nerve is completely damaged and she lost vision in it. After this operation she underwent a shock treatment of Medrol and Cyclophosphamide. She was very ill from this and could only take it for 1 month. They continued after this month again with Medrol 4mg and Imuran 100mg/day. She is still taking the same medicine now and will go for a checkup at the beginning of the next month.

Thanks for reading this long story and please feel free to ask any question if something is not clear.

Honestly I don't know what I expect writing this ... maybe just having the story read...

Get well soon everybody!

mishb
04-21-2014, 11:42 PM
Hi Ionut and welcome to the forum,

I am so glad that you have found us and are writing on behalf of your mum. I am sorry that she has gone through so much :crying:

How is she feeling now - it has been 5 years since her eye troubles?
When was her last check up with the doctor?

Don't be afraid to ask any questions, you will find someone on here 24/7 to try and help with answers.
Also check out the search facility and read various threads from others.

You could probably tell us a thing or too about Wegeners, since your mum has had it for nearly ten years.

Take care and give your mum a big hug :hug1:from us

Pete
04-22-2014, 12:09 AM
Welcome, Ionut!

Glad you found us, but sorry you needed to.

Do your Mom's doctors specialize in treating Vasculitis? Do they consult with a Vasculitis specialist about her treatment? I ask because long- term cyclophosphamide use can have some pretty nasty side effects. You can find a list of worldwide Vasculitis specialists at the Vasculitis Foundation's web site.

Good luck to you and your Mom!

Alysia
04-22-2014, 02:04 AM
Hi and welcome to the forum.
I am sorry for you and for your mom, for going through such rough times, it seems that the WG attacked her aggresively and caused lots of damages :crying:
how is she doing these days ? is she still fighting "active wg" or are things more calm now ?
please feel free to share whatever you feel like. we are here to hear whatever come and to be with you :hug1:
I know that it is much more painful to worry about your precious one who is sick, then to be the sick one. your mom is blessed to have you.

annekat
04-22-2014, 11:32 AM
Welcome, and I'm so sorry your mom has had all these lung issues due to WG. We all seem to get hit with this in different ways, though often similar, and in varying degrees of severity. I'm glad you found us and hope you keep checking in with questions and concerns and reading of others' experience. Here is the link for the list of worldwide specialists/consultants for WG and other types of vasculitis: VF Medical Consultants (http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/mcm_resources/medical-consultants/). Best wishes to your mom, she is part of our WG family here.

Ionut
04-27-2014, 03:06 AM
Hi, thanks for the warm welcome!
She is feeling better now but she suspects something might be wrong with her sinuses. We will know more when she has another set of tests taken this May. Last tests were in October of last year and the disease seemed to be in regression then.

Not much to tell about Wegeners ... other than the fact that it's a horrible thing and I wish all you guys the best and to stay strong!

Ionut
04-27-2014, 03:09 AM
Welcome, Ionut!

Glad you found us, but sorry you needed to.

Do your Mom's doctors specialize in treating Vasculitis? Do they consult with a Vasculitis specialist about her treatment? I ask because long- term cyclophosphamide use can have some pretty nasty side effects. You can find a list of worldwide Vasculitis specialists at the Vasculitis Foundation's web site.

Good luck to you and your Mom!

Hi, thanks for reply.
The doctors in Bucharest, where she is going for tests twice a year, are not listed in the Vasculitis Foundation website. I know they are consulting with a specialist, unfortunatelly don't know his name.
She is off cyclophosphamide for 2 years now and taking Imuran instead. Last tests for the liver showed no damage... lets hope next ones will show the same.

Good luck!

acker
04-27-2014, 04:06 AM
Hi, and welcome to the site, you'll always find someone with help, advice and support here. Just remember you're not alone anymore. Any questions any time of day, we are always here :biggrin1:. So glad your Mum is feeling a little better now. :thumbsup:

Acker