Auto Immune conditions

Rashmi Bhasin,48 suffers from a rare autoimmune condition called Scleroderma, as well as a host of other issues. It hasn’t been easy for her, but she doesn’t like ‘giving up’, which keeps her going through difficult times. Who is Rashmi, the person Rashmi as a person is very outgoing, loves travelling, meeting people, loves baking and cooking, is a movie buff and loves online shopping. Ready to do anything for anyone. Loves children. Loves animals. Please tell us a bit about your condition…

On World Lupus Day, we ask Lupus patient advocates about their experience in Lupus management and what they think of the theme this year which focusses on "Let's make Lupus visible"   Vachasamrita 1.  What has been the last year like in terms of challenges in handling Lupus? I have been living with 8 years of Lupus, but since mine is a case of juvenile Lupus, it’s been aggressive with rare reactions and drug intolerances. Last year has been more about about handling the…

Annie Verghese, 53 has been fighting Sjogren’s Syndrome for 10 years now, along with a host of other issues. She talks about her difficult health journey, being a patient and a caregiver and the effect of her health on her life. EARLY HISTORY I was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome in 2012, when I was around 43 years old. Around the same time I developed diabetes and also had high BP problems which led to a mini heart problem. After undergoing angiography, I was cleared with 'no problems'. As a…

Devika Phukan, currently a professor in Guwahati, not only battled Sjogren’s but also the trauma caused due to lack of understanding of her condition by medical practitioners (in far flung areas) and the social taboos and ostracization by loved ones. This article has been contributed by Sjogren’s India to highlight the need for early diagnosis and awareness among the medical community. “More than the physical harm from the disease, it was the emotional damage that was debilitating … the…

Ramesh B. Choudhari, 64 from Nagpur was not only afflicted with Ankylosing Spondylitis from a young age, but was diagnosed very late which led to fusion of his joints and consequent surgeries. But that did not stop him from working, and leading a normal life to the best of his abilities. Please tell us a bit about your condition I have been suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) since 1972 ( my age was 14 yrs then) , but I was only correctly diagnosed in as late as 1997. I have had multiple…

Prachee Bhosle, 42, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia, two painful rheumatic disorders, shelved her career plans and chose to become a patient leader to raise awareness and advocate for better care and support. She is currently President of Ankylosing Spondylitis Welfare Society.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your background? I am a parent to 2 kids, a 14-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Both my kids are homeschooled by me since 2017. After…

Shambhavi Chaudhary is a gutsy young lady living with Lupus who decided that life is too beautiful to allow a condition, however debilitating, to take control of her. Accordingly, she started pursuing a normal and active routine and also went vocal on social media to inspire her fellow Lupies. Is Lupus considered a rare condition? Or an autoimmune condition difficult to diagnose? Lupus, interestingly, is not a rare condition. According to the Lupus Foundation of America 1.5 million…

Knowing more about Lupus helps you make better informed choices and manage it well. Don't miss out on the webinar series on managing the various aspects of living with Lupus   Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs. It can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. With the support of Biocon Biologics, we bring a series of webinars with…

Nishat Fatima, 28 from Hyderabad, India was diagnosed with ITP, Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare autoimmune disorder that can lead to excessive bruising and bleeding. She shares her journey through diagnosis and the challenges of living with this condition and how it changed her from being an active and jolly person.  Initial symptoms In 2016, just a couple of days after my wedding, I was down with vomiting and dizziness. On one visit, my brother remarked that I looked yellow. The…

This is Rheumatic Diseases Awareness Month. PatientsEngage brings together a panel of rheumatologists and patient leaders to talk about how rheumatic diseases affect women, the unique challenges women face and how their needs can be better addressed. Are women affected by rheumatic diseases more often than men? How do these differences play out? Especially for lesser known rheumatic conditions. We bring together a panel of doctors and patient leaders to discuss this issue and also suggest the…