07/23/2007
Sisters' ailment identified
By Christy Murdoch , For the
Herald-Standard
Sisters Darla Pardo and Robin L. Gibson
display a variety of medications. After
suffering symptoms for years, the two have
been diagnosed with the blood-clotting
disorder Antiphospholipid Antibody
Syndrome.
After years of suffering from mysterious
health problems, Robin L. Gibson and her
sister, Darla Pardo, both of Fairchance,
were finally diagnosed with
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS),
a serious blood-clotting disorder that can
have devastating consequences.
Because of their struggle with the disease
and their difficulty receiving a
diagnosis, the sisters agreed to tell
their story to educate the public and the
medical community about APS. Their goal is
simply to prevent others from suffering
the way they have.
Gibson explained that APS is a
blood-clotting disorder that causes the
blood to be thicker than normal.
The main feature of the disorder is the
development of blood clots that can occur
at any time and can be fatal. She said it
has been referred to as "sticky blood"
syndrome.
"My sister and I have suffered for years
with the disorder, but the doctors
couldn't find a reason," Gibson said.
"Some suggested that our problems were
because of lifestyle. Others thought we
suffered from anxiety and depression and
prescribed antidepressants."
Gibson's clots are in the arteries, and
Pardo's are in the veins.
"My doctor says I am a ticking time-bomb,"
Gibson said.
When the clots are in the arteries, Gibson
said the consequences can be more
immediate because the arteries carry blood
to the major organs, such as the heart,
lungs and brain. However, either condition
is dangerous and serious.
Gibson, who is now 45, said her symptoms
started when she was in her early 30s. She
suffered headaches, left-sided numbness
and occasional vision loss. She was
initially diagnosed with migraine
headaches.
When similar symptoms continued, Gibson
was then diagnosed with transient ischemia
attacks (TIAs), which in laymen terms are
known as mini-strokes.
Although it was odd for a young person to
suffer from TIAs, Gibson said the doctors
were perplexed, but they weren't aware
that there could be an underlying cause.
Eventually, Gibson suffered three strokes,
leaving her with permanent body weakness,
vision loss and impaired cognitive
problems, such as some memory loss and
confusion.
Gibson was diagnosed about 18 months ago.
Her diagnosis prompted further
investigation into Pardo's condition.
Both sisters now receive the appropriate
treatment for APS, which is anticoagulant
therapy (blood thinners), such as Coumidin
or Lovenox.
Some people who test positive for elevated
antibodies, but have no clinical signs or
symptoms, may be treated with aspirin,
making the formation of clots less
likely.
Gibson said she is happy to finally have a
diagnosis and to be receiving proper
treatment.
"Having APS has been life-changing,"
Gibson said. "I was very active. It has
robbed me of so many things I love to do.
"It is my hope that APS becomes more
known, so others receive an early
diagnosis and do not lose quality of life
at a young age," she added.
It is believed that 1 to 5 percent of the
population has APS, and it is a major
women's health issue, according to the APS
Foundation of America Inc. Web site. About
75 to 90 percent of those affected are
women.
Gibson and Pardo were told that their
children should be tested for the
condition.
The Web site described APS as an
autoimmune disorder like lupus and
multiple sclerosis. APS may even coincide
with those types of autoimmune conditions.
The disorder is not well recognized, even
within the medical community.
According to the Web site, the features of
the syndrome are the development of
conditions such as stroke, heart attack,
pulmonary embolism and neurological
cognitive problems. Therefore, physicians
can miss the underlying cause and fail to
order the appropriate tests for a proper
diagnosis.
The human immune system fights infections
by producing antibodies in the blood that
bind with foreign invaders, like bacteria
and viruses, and destroys and removes
them, the Web site said.
According to the Web site, in autoimmune
conditions such as APS, the immune system
malfunctions and makes antibodies against
normal tissue and organs.
These antibodies are called self-reactive
and cause damage to the normal function of
blood flow. The targets of the
self-reactive antibodies are
B2-glycoprotein 1 and prothrombin. The
condition is diagnosed by assessment of
clinical symptoms and laboratory blood
tests.
The goal of the APS Foundation of America
is to raise awareness and educate both the
public and the medical community. For more
information on APS, visit online at
h
ttp://www.apsfa.org
