Amyloidosis Treatment in India

Krishna Brown, a 62-year-old retired school...

Krishna Brown, a 62-year-old retired school librarian, had been feeling increasingly unwell for over a year. A gentle woman with a love for gardening, she first noticed swelling in her ankles and a profound, unshakeable fatigue that made her beloved walks with her book club friends impossible. Her hands began to feel numb and clumsy, dropping teacups. Her primary care doctor, concerned by her persistent proteinuria and an echocardiogram showing thickened heart walls, referred her to a specialist in Internal Medicine. The specialist, Dr. Evans, gently explained that Krishna's constellation of symptoms, heart issues, neuropathy, and kidney problems, pointed to a systemic disease called amyloidosis, where abnormal proteins build up in organs. A fat pad biopsy was recommended as a minimally invasive first step to confirm the diagnosis. Krishna was terrified, fearing cancer. The biopsy itself, a numbed needle aspiration from her abdomen, was quick. The emotional wait for results was agonizing. When the results confirmed AL amyloidosis, it was devastating, but also provided a clear path. She began chemotherapy targeting the plasma cells producing the abnormal protein. While treatment was tough, knowing the enemy gave her strength. A year later, her heart function has stabilized, the numbness has slightly improved, and the swelling is down. The emotional journey was from fear of the unknown to the grim acceptance of a chronic illness, but ultimately to a determined resilience. She now leads a support group for others with rare diseases, finding purpose in her journey.