Rare Disorder keeps 25-year-old Rewari female bed-ridden for 1 year, revived successfully

On Dec 17, 2020

Rewari, December 17, 2020: 25-year-old Rachna Devi, from Rewari, who got bed ridden last year due to a rare disorder was successfully treated at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram. The patient is now completely back to her daily routine without any complications.

Since January 2018, when Rachna started developing swelling and rashes throughout her body, gradually lost her ability to walk within 2 months. Upon various consultations at multiple Hospitals (even in Delhi) were not seeming to ease her complication. By this period, she completely got bed-ridden and was completely dependent on her family for support.

Since her condition was not even diagnosed, what she is suffering from, she was referred to Fortis Hospital, Gurugram by her relatives. On presentation she was diagnosed with Dermatomyositis, an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash. It is a form of arthritis where the joints, skin, muscles, and lungs can get inflamed.

Arthritis, known in common language as Gathiya, usually refers to pain, inflammation and swelling in the joints. It can affect one or multiple joints together. Dermatomyositis is one of the most uncommon types of arthritis. It can affect your lungs, skin, muscles, and eyes. The symptoms of dermatomyositis can appear suddenly or may develop over time. The most common signs and symptoms include skin changes, muscle weakness and swelling.

“When I saw the patient, she had red rash all over her face and body and had swelling in the complete body. She could barely walk, eat, or sit for a long period. I examined her and found that all the muscles were swollen, and she could barely lift her legs and hands. Various diagnostic tests revealed abnormal levels of CPK, Aldolase with high liver functions that confirmed this to be a case of dermatomyositis. Being a rare condition, her skin and muscle inflammation had gone undiagnosed initially, and hence her situation worsened to become bedridden. “said Dr Naval Mendiratta, Consultant, Rheumatology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram

The patient was administered and monitored with a combination of injections and tablets under her medication course for over 1 month in the hospital. With gradual response of medication and now recovered completely, the doses were reduced and now after one year, most of her medication have been stopped.

“During her last visit for routine follow-up, it was difficult to tell if she was the same female last year who was bed ridden. Due to her undiagnosed condition, she was almost on the verge of collapse and not treating her on time would have led to repercussions that would have been irreversible. It is important to note that arthritis is treatable provided you reach your rheumatologist on time.” added Dr Naval.

Mrs. Rachna Devi, the patient said, “In January 2018 I started to have fever and vomiting which did not go away from the medicines. I was hospitalised at a local hospital in Rewari for 8 days where instead of getting any relief, my symptoms started to worsen. During that period my body started developing rashes all over that was unbearable. Since then I had been trying to consult the expert doctor in local as well as in Delhi for over 2 months, when I noticed that my body had almost swollen to one-third of my actual size. I could barely eat or stand. Whatever I ate, would come back through my nose. My ears started to release water. I was totally dependent on my family to even use the restroom. I had lost all my hair in my entire body. After two months of suffering, my relative referred me to show at Fortis Hospital., Gurugram. After I met Dr Naval, he was sure of his diagnosis and after taking medicines for 2 months I started to see improvement. My swelling had gradually decreased, I stopped vomiting and could eat on my own. My rashes also improved and have now disappeared. After taking the medicines continuously for 6 months, I was back to my normal life. Earlier my children used to see me in pain and cry, now I can play with them like before. I cannot thank Dr Naval enough for what he has done for me. He has given me my life back.”