29/01/2024
This is not business related in anyway. As I’m sure not many of you know I suffer from chronic illnesses. I hope you read this post, as spreading this rare condition anyway I can especially on this day is so important to me.
On April 20th 2021 my life changed, I was diagnosed with a rare condition called Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome. This brutal vascular compression affects the third portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta.
Symptoms include and are not limited to nausea, feeling full quickly, vomiting, excruciating pain, weight loss, malnutrition, etc. I suffered from these and more. I lost 20 pounds within 2 weeks, I could barely function, and things weren’t looking good for me. There is no cure for SMAS. The treatment options include weight gain, proper positioning after eating, feeding tube and/or surgery. I had my surgery on Oct. 6th, unfortunately the surgery was not a success for me. This can be very common as the surgery is not a complete fix and many individuals still struggle with symptoms even after. Due to malnutrition, constant pain and vomiting it was decided that I would have a feeding tube placed in feb. 2022. I lived with a feeding tube for over a year, thankfully I am functioning without. I still struggle with many of these symptoms daily, my main ones being nausea and vomiting. This is terrible condition that has truly changed my life.
There is a 33% mortality rate, 1 in 3 people die from this condition.
So many others suffering from this condition, and do not experience the proper care. There is not enough funding or research needed to properly care for these individuals fighting for their lives. Things need to change! We ask you to remember us everyday but especially Jan. 28th, our day. Wear purple, share sufferers post, do some research. We need your help! We are NOT too rare to care!
