A young woman with tuberculosis and previously undiagnosed acute intermittent porphyria developed severe symptoms after starting standard antibiotics but improved with hemin and a modified regimen using medications considered safer for porphyria, according to a case report. Tuberculosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The woman’s…
Discussion
Even with the sweetest cat, it’s impossible to forget they’re in the bed next to you. You can go to bed perfectly comfortable, hoping you’re in for an ordinary night. Your cat is curled up and purring softly beside you, but you can’t completely relax, because you’re always aware of…
Discussion
A 67-year-old man with no psychiatric history was initially treated for mania with psychotic symptoms before abdominal pain, neurological symptoms, and dark urine prompted testing that supported a diagnosis of acute porphyria, a case report describes. One of his initial medications, valproic acid, can trigger or worsen porphyria attacks…
Discussion
A 19-year-old woman who suffered four years of recurrent seizures and severe abdominal pain with no clear explanation found a possible answer when doctors tested her for acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). The woman had undergone repeated heart, neurological, and gastrointestinal tests that failed to explain her combination of symptoms.
Becoming educated and informed about porphyria is a good first step. Here you’ll find general information about the disease, including the types, diagnosis, symptoms, and causes.
It helps to know others have been where you are now. Here’s a collection of some of our columnist’s words of wisdom to help you along on your porphyria journey.
There is no cure for porphyria yet, but there are therapies that can help manage the disease. Here you can find more information about some of the approved treatments for porphyria.
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