DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
jammu, Jan 22
A 39-year-old Delhi woman who was left paralyzed and struggling to breathe due to a rare autoimmune disorder has miraculously regained her strength and independence after specialist treatment at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
Doctors were able to reverse the debilitating effects of polymyositis, a condition which progressively attacks muscle tissue. From being unable to walk, eat solid food or breathe without aid, the patient can now stand on her own again and is on the road to recovery – offering hope to others suffering from this devastating disease that was previously deemed irreversible.
The patient’s alarming downhill journey started in December 2022 when she developed progressive weakness in her legs that soon spread to her arms. By February 2023, the debilitating symptoms of the disease rendered her unable to lift her arms or head, stand up without support, eat solid food or breathe adequately without assistance – leading to rapid weight loss and muscle deterioration.
She was admitted at Indraprastha Apollo under the care of Dr. P.N. Renjen, Senior Consultant Neurologist. Extensive testing over the next few days including blood tests, antibody assays, MRI scans, nerve conduction studies and microscopic examination of muscle biopsy samples led doctors to confirm polymyositis as the definite diagnosis.
Dr. P.N. Renjen explained, “The clinical picture, antibody evidence, MRI scans clearly showing muscle inflammation, electrical studies ruling out nerve issues and muscle biopsy samples proved conclusively that autoimmune destruction of muscles was rapidly happening due to polymyositis.”
He added, “Polymyositis is one of the most rapidly disabling autoimmune disorders. In this patient’s case, her muscles were being destroyed at an alarming rate by her own immune system. Within just three months, simple acts like standing up, lifting one’s arms, swallowing solid food, or even breathing properly were impossible without help. It was a race against time to diagnose accurately, arrest further deterioration and initiate targeted immunomodulation. I am extremely thankful to our multidisciplinary team and the state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities at Apollo that enabled definitive diagnosis through specialized tests and global standards of care that are helping the patient regain strength and independence. Despite the complexity of her condition initially, our clinical expertise and prompt action have given this patient a second shot at life. Her grit deserves immense credit too.”
The innovative treatment protocol followed at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals offers new hope for scores of patients suffering from the rare disorder both in India and globally. As the doctors affirm, defeating polymyositis requires tremendous medical care, expertise and care.
