Pulmonary Vasculitis Treatment in India

Arjun Khan, a 42-year-old architect and...

Arjun Khan, a 42-year-old architect and father of two, had always been active. Over six months, he developed a persistent dry cough and crushing fatigue that made climbing stairs at work impossible. He dismissed it as stress until he began coughing up small amounts of blood and developed sharp chest pains. His GP referred him to a pulmonologist, Dr. Mehta, who, after CT scans and blood tests showing elevated inflammatory markers, suspected pulmonary vasculitis, an inflammation of the lung's blood vessels. Dr. Mehta recommended a course of high-dose corticosteroids to suppress the immune system and reduce the inflammation, combined with a cyclophosphamide infusion for more targeted immunosuppression. The treatment was grueling; the steroids caused significant weight gain, mood swings, and insomnia, while the infusions left him feeling weak and nauseated. After six months of aggressive treatment, Arjun was gradually tapered onto a milder maintenance drug. His cough and chest pain subsided, his energy slowly returned, and follow-up scans showed remarkable healing of the lung vessels. Emotionally, he journeyed from fear and frustration, angry at his body's betrayal and worried about providing for his family, to profound relief and cautious optimism. He learned to pace himself and now cherishes his regained ability to play with his children in the park.