any rare/interesting diseases?

Question

I am studying to be a doc and was wondering if anyone would like to share any interesting or rare disease with me, this is for purely educational purposes. Also, can you pls tell me the symptoms you experience, how it affects your day-to-day life, when were you diagnosed, medications, etc. I truly appreciate you sharing this with me. Thank you.

Answer 1

I don't have anything particularly interesting but my brother is afflicted with scleroderma. It has literally made his skin look like plastic. His poor hands! Lost flexibility. He has trouble griping things.

For awhile, he was feeling very weak and even had to walk with a cane but he's getting his strength back though he doesn't have his usual muscular development.

Scleroderma and CREST syndrome are kind of interesting if you want to look at them.

Answer 2

Check out the TV program "House." It specializes in rare diseases.

A friend of mine has a rare fatal disease which is called "Polycythemia Vera;" he has excessive red blood cells. I never heard of it until he got it. His arm would become purple & black & he would bleed thru his skin. There were times when he bled so profusely that he had to change the gauzes several times a day. He is extremely tired. It has about a 10 yr lifespan from diagnosis & requires blood to be drawn periodically - sometimes frequently depending how he's doing - to keep him anemic.

Answer 3

xenglyzelaphia.

This is a rare genetic condition that affects the bodies ability to produce the lymphatic enzymes nessaccary for experiencing sexual pleasure.

The patient usually displays an aggressive but unsatiated sexual desire, causing them to copulate with inanimate objects, animals, plants, people and other bizarre sex partners.

Although rare, there are several well documented cases. There is no known cure.