Maureen has Takayasu’s arteritis. A few years ago, Maureen began to experience a cluster of symptoms. She also experienced one of the great challenges for vasculitis patients—getting a diagnosis.
A pulmonologist said that she had asthma.
A neurologist that said that she was having migraines resulting for a possible seizure
A physiologist said she needed physical therapy.
A gastroenterologist said she has diverticulitis.
Finally, a nurse checking her vital signs told Maureen that she didn’t have a pulse!
Maureen’s husband, Bruce, immediately went online to discover one potential cause of pulselessnes— a rare disease called, Takayasu’s Arteritis. Out of the 12 different criteria for Takayasu’s arteritis, Maureen exhibited 11 of them.
In this video, Maureen talks about the challenge of finally getting a diagnosis of Takayasu’s arteritis after many months of visiting specialists.
Her husband, Bruce, shares his viewpoint as a spouse who watched helplessly as his wife’s health deteriorated without any diagnosis.
They talk about the need to work together as a team to navigate the many obstacles that can stand between getting a diagnosis and the proper treatment.
Click here to watch her video.
The Extraordinary Vasculitis Stories project is produced by Ed and Mary Becker for the Vasculitis Foundation.
