health
A mom "didn't feel taken seriously" even as her symptoms worsened. Then tests found a rare disease.
When Michelle Williams started experiencing high blood pressure, she didn't pay it much attention.
TL;DR
- Michelle Williams experienced escalating symptoms like high blood pressure and swelling, but initially felt dismissed by her healthcare provider.
- A self-referral to the Cleveland Clinic led to further investigation, including biopsies, which ultimately resulted in a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
- When initial treatments for multiple myeloma failed to resolve her symptoms, further testing revealed a rare kidney disease called IC-MPGN.
- IC-MPGN has a poor prognosis with limited treatment options until recently.
- Williams participated in a clinical trial for pegcetacoplan, which showed immediate positive results and was later approved by the FDA as a treatment for IC-MPGN.
- The new medication has significantly improved Williams' health, allowing her to return to a more normal life.