Countrygirl
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I am popping this article here for people to read as it may be relevant to you if you have ME.
https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/aps-what-rheumatologists-know-about-hughes-syndrome/
Years ago, I think it was highlighted on the ME Association's website as being of relevance to those with a diagnosis of ME.
It concerns what is now called Hughes Syndrome or 'sticky blood'.
Let me just tell you my story.
When I was 15 I took myself off to my GP. Something odd seemed to be growing across my rib cage. To me, it looked like a number of wiggle pipe cleaners appearing under my skin.
My GP told me that I had developed superficial blood clots, but they weren't of significance.
Sure enough, eventually they burst, leaving me with a rib cage of various attractive hues of blue. Not a problem.
Just to add too, for a few years as a youngster I had migraines: the full works, a hammering headache and full dancing flashing lights. After a few years they disappeared. This is part of Hughes Syndrome.
Then came student days. I had very painful periods and so the doctor put me on the pill for a few months so that my last six months of study and sitting Finals would not be interrupted by the dreaded pain and vomiting. Finals over, I stopped the pill, so I was only taking it for a few months. However, I then developed numerous superficial blood clots everywhere. I took no notice. They weren't dangerous in themselves of course and so I never reported them. Meanwhile, I had developed ME from a severe infection as a student which became severe in 1982. Blood clots kept forming. I took no notice. Now I have had a full stroke and a couple of TIAs. I have a strong family history of early deaths from 30s onwards of strokes and sudden heart attacks. Few have lived past 51. An uncle made it to 61 before being found dead in his office.
Then phlebitis became a problem which was caused by the damage caused by the thromboses.
Then along came episodes of very severe memory loss so if I was only yards from my home I could not find my way home. I put this down to ME. This still occurs.
Then someone with ME sent me a leaflet on Hughes Syndrome. It often, but not always, starts, the leaflet said with blocked blood vessels across the rib cage. Dead on!
It accompanies early migraine. It also causes abrupt severe temporary memory loss.
Migraine is associated with strokes but the reason is its association with Hughes Syndrome.
A number of symptoms we put down to ME or Fibro can be Hughes Syndrome which is a likely comorbidity of both anyway.
It is found in people with family members or ancestors with an autoimmune condition such as RA or thyroid problems, MS or other autoimmune conditions.
It can be responsible for repeated miscarriages.
It can cause ME-associated problems like Syndrome X (angina pain.)
It causes cellular hypoxia as the blood cells don't flow through the tiny capillaries well.
The treatment is aspirin or other anticoagulants.
There is a lot more to it, of course, and reading the above link will tell you more. It just might be relevant to you.
https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/aps-what-rheumatologists-know-about-hughes-syndrome/
Years ago, I think it was highlighted on the ME Association's website as being of relevance to those with a diagnosis of ME.
It concerns what is now called Hughes Syndrome or 'sticky blood'.
Let me just tell you my story.
When I was 15 I took myself off to my GP. Something odd seemed to be growing across my rib cage. To me, it looked like a number of wiggle pipe cleaners appearing under my skin.
My GP told me that I had developed superficial blood clots, but they weren't of significance.
Sure enough, eventually they burst, leaving me with a rib cage of various attractive hues of blue. Not a problem.
Just to add too, for a few years as a youngster I had migraines: the full works, a hammering headache and full dancing flashing lights. After a few years they disappeared. This is part of Hughes Syndrome.
Then came student days. I had very painful periods and so the doctor put me on the pill for a few months so that my last six months of study and sitting Finals would not be interrupted by the dreaded pain and vomiting. Finals over, I stopped the pill, so I was only taking it for a few months. However, I then developed numerous superficial blood clots everywhere. I took no notice. They weren't dangerous in themselves of course and so I never reported them. Meanwhile, I had developed ME from a severe infection as a student which became severe in 1982. Blood clots kept forming. I took no notice. Now I have had a full stroke and a couple of TIAs. I have a strong family history of early deaths from 30s onwards of strokes and sudden heart attacks. Few have lived past 51. An uncle made it to 61 before being found dead in his office.
Then phlebitis became a problem which was caused by the damage caused by the thromboses.
Then along came episodes of very severe memory loss so if I was only yards from my home I could not find my way home. I put this down to ME. This still occurs.
Then someone with ME sent me a leaflet on Hughes Syndrome. It often, but not always, starts, the leaflet said with blocked blood vessels across the rib cage. Dead on!
It accompanies early migraine. It also causes abrupt severe temporary memory loss.
Migraine is associated with strokes but the reason is its association with Hughes Syndrome.
A number of symptoms we put down to ME or Fibro can be Hughes Syndrome which is a likely comorbidity of both anyway.
It is found in people with family members or ancestors with an autoimmune condition such as RA or thyroid problems, MS or other autoimmune conditions.
It can be responsible for repeated miscarriages.
It can cause ME-associated problems like Syndrome X (angina pain.)
It causes cellular hypoxia as the blood cells don't flow through the tiny capillaries well.
The treatment is aspirin or other anticoagulants.
There is a lot more to it, of course, and reading the above link will tell you more. It just might be relevant to you.
