Lymphocytic Vasculitis Treatment in India

Sophia Shah, a 45-year-old school teacher...

Sophia Shah, a 45-year-old school teacher and mother of two from Ahmedabad, had a five-year battle with Lymphocytic Vasculitis primarily affecting her skin and nerves. She lived with a painful, burning rash and numbness in her hands and feet, which made teaching and daily chores immensely difficult. Multiple lines of treatment, including rituximab, provided only temporary relief before the symptoms roared back. Her doctors presented allogeneic bone marrow transplantation as a potential curative option. A donor match was found in her brother. The concept of using her brother's immune system to replace her faulty one was daunting but offered hope for a permanent solution. The transplant process was a rollercoaster, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) caused new complications, including a skin rash and mouth sores, which were frightening. Managing these side effects was challenging. A year post-transplant, her original vasculitis symptoms are in complete remission, and her GVHD is well-controlled with low-dose medication. She has regained sensation in her hands and can hold a pen comfortably again. Emotionally, her journey was defined by a mother's guilt for being unable to care for her family, transformed into profound gratitude for her brother's gift and a renewed sense of strength. She now advocates for donor awareness.