Saturday 27 February 2010

World Rare Disease Day 2010

I've decided to be a bit more serious today.  Shocking I know, but this is a topic that deserves some serious recognition.  Even if you decide not to read this post please click on the link below to find out a little more about Rare Disease Day.





What is a rare disease?

It is estimated that there are 6000 to 8000 rare diseases in the world today

Characteristics of rare diseases

  • Rare diseases are often chronic, progressive, degenerative, and often life-threatening
  • Rare diseases are disabling: the quality of life of patients is often compromised by the lack or loss of autonomy
  • High level of pain and suffering for the patient and his/her family
  • No existing effective cure
  • There are between 6000 and 8000 rare diseases
  • 75% of rare disease affect children 30% of rare disease patients die before the age of 5
  • 80% of rare diseases have identified genetic origins. Other rare diseases are the result of infections (bacterial or viral), allergies and environmental causes, or are degenerative and proliferative.

You have what? How many times have I heard that? For those of you who have read my blog for any length of time, you are well aware that I have demonstrated the intellect of a wet tissue by picking a disorder that no one has ever heard of. And I don't just mean people in the general community, even most doctors haven't heard of it, don't know how to recognise it, how to test for it or how to treat it. Good old Dysautonomia the bane of my existence. There are some more common forms, but I have been stupid enough to pick a rare version of this obscure disorder.  Despite three years of testing I still remain a medical mystery, the proverbial "Horse With No Name".  Collecting new and exciting symptoms and comorbid diseases along the way.

I thought getting in to see the top specialist in the country (or the Wizard of Oz as I like to call him) I would have an answer, but no, that would be too easy.  Instead I got the line you always hope to get from your doctor (yes that's sarcasm):

"I have only seen 1 or 2 people in my entire career with your symptom profile".

Also from my normal cardio:


Or from my neuro:

"you really are a medical mystery aren't you?"



Then there have been the miscellaneous words like:

"special"

"unique"

"interesting"

I've also been told (repeatedly) that I may have Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF).  What's so rare about that?  Well PAF generally occurs in males over the age of 60, not 36-year-old women.  So there you go.  Not only am I not an 80-year-old woman, I may in fact be a a 65-year-old guy who pees like a horse and can't get it up.  YAY!  Maybe I just need a viagra.

There are no answers when you are odd.

Will I get better?

"I don't know".

Will these tablets work?

"I don't know".

Where to from here?

"No idea".

So you live your life with the knowledge that you are getting worse and the reality that it doesn't look good.  Times like these tequila sounds good.

I'm not alone in this.  There are many obscure diseases and disorders around, with some that are unique to 1 or 2 people in the world.   Gene deletions or multiplications in a variety of forms.   Some caused by viruses or bacteria or unique environmental contamination.  Idiopathic (doctor speak for I have no idea why you have it) disorders.  Some little quirk of nature that creates a unique illness.

Unfortunately when you have a rare disorder there is little funding for research or treatments.  In many cases the top specialists are flying blind, using trial and error to treat their patients.  When things are rare it is hard to develop a standard treatment program. Governments look at the big picture, so funding goes to those disorders that affect the most people.

Rare diseases don't have the PR machine of other disorders eg Breast Cancer or AIDS. Government programs often don't have categories for these disorders, so patients find it extremely hard to get financial aid or access to rehabilitative programs.

World Rare Disease Awareness Day is a chance to bring attention to these hidden diseases.  To remind people that they exist and to give them a face.

Whether you call it Rare, Special, Unique, or Medical Mystery, it can be a hard road to travel when you have the disease no one has heard of, is difficult to treat, understand or explain.


Cheers
The Freak Michelle :)

9 comments:

  1. Thanks for bringing attention to the Rare Disease Day and continuing to share your journey, Michelle. I checked out the WRD website. Wow. I watched a lot of the videos. And cried. So many people with stories of strength, pain, and hope.

    Ummm...And also, I'd like to admit that sometimes I come to your blog and just watch the fish. I can't help it.

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  2. Lucy - I know, some of the videos are heart breaking. Because they have such rare disorders they rarely get any recognition.

    The fish are so calming aren't they. Don't forget to feed them, they go mad for food LOL.

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  3. lol-I love those crazy fish!!I just added penguins to my page. And I named them.

    -)

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  4. I have dysautonomia too. I am a history Professor on an unwelcomed leave of absence that turned into an early termination of contract. (which I think was done illlegally and I am not sure if I should pursue it or not) When I read your opening statement, I could relate to the point that it brought tears to my eyes. I have been to Vanderbilt, and now I am being told I should go to Toledo. There is the national expert in dysautonomia....Blair Grubb. Is there a place on your website where you talk to other dysautonomia patients? Have you figured out how to create a shortcut on your keyboard so you dont have to spell dysautonomia?? This site is refreshing...thank you:)

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  5. Anonymous - so sorry you are on this same journey. Dr Grubb is supposed to be really good. I don't have a discussion section on here apart from my comments sections. There are quite a few chat boards and forums on FB. I write for "12 More Pages" (the link is on the side) which is a dysautonomia site. There are also official sites like the NDRF and DINET. I haven't worked out a shortcut for Dysautonomia, that's part of the reason I call it BOB. There is probably a way but I have little technical knowledge unfortunately.

    I get the work thing. I went on 4 mths unpaid sick leave (I was a neuropsychologist once upon a time) and whilst I was away my position was reshaped in such a way that I wouldn't have been able to do it.

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  6. Interesting post. thanks for putting it up. One of the many things I like about your blog is can actually learn stuff.

    My post not so much learning...

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  7. Brahm - Thanks. I really enjoy your blog too, though I must admit I was first sucked in by the picture of Alfie (such a sad dog woman). How can you say 'not so much learning' about your blog? Only today I found out that salad dressing can be used to 'off' a loved one. That my friend is the kind of info I can use some days LOL.

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  8. My first time to know about "Bob". You're really a genius for sharing your special condition here. I'm interested to make a follow up read about this rare disease of yours. Meanwhile, I'll pray for your doctors and you as well. Keep going, God is with you in this rare journey of your life.

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  9. Lita - Thanks I really appreciate your comments. Part of the battle is getting the word out that Bob even exists.

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All who are lovely enough to comment should be showered with cup cakes, glitter and macarons. I promise to use my spoon bending mind powers to try and get that happening for all who are lovely enough to share their words. Those who go the extra step to share posts should really get a free unicorn. Or at least the gift of finding the shortest and quickest line at the supermarket on a regular basis. xx

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