Awareness raised about rare medical condition

FORMER Richards Bay resident Justin Anthony suffers from pulmonary hypertension and, until recently, feared he needed to undergo a double lung transplant.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs when pressure in the blood vessels from the heart to the lungs is too high.
This puts strain on the right side of the heart which causes inflammation, and can eventually result in outright heart failure.
Justin, now living in Dubai, has taken to social media to share his story so others can understand what one goes through when suffering from this disease.

‘I have always actively engaged in sport, and never imagined I would not be able to play sport again,’ he said.
‘In 2007, when I was home on holiday from university, I experienced my first symptom, which was shortness of breath.
‘I had no idea why I felt like that as I was young and fit, but could barely breathe. I knew something was wrong, but I brushed it off and tried to adapt to the change as I could only visit a doctor later that year.’

Justin was incorrectly diagnosed with asthma, a common misdiagnosis for PH patients.
‘Almost six years after I experienced my first major symptom, and after many medical consultations, a specialist correctly diagnosed me with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.
‘It was difficult to process being diagnosed with such a rare condition that currently has no cure.
‘I was young, just starting to pursue my dreams, and following my passion to become a teacher.’Despite this setback, I managed to graduate and I met my wife of five years, Junevia.’

As Justin’s symptoms worsened, the price of his medication began to soar, costing him close to R4 500 per month, but his symptoms did not appear to improve.
At this stage, he was still well enough to take a teaching opportunity in the UAE.
‘It allowed me to continue teaching, as well as be fully covered by medical aid for the treatment of my PH.’

Justin’s condition worsened further over the next few years, to the point where he ended up collapsing and was rushed to hospital.
He was advised to begin oxygen therapy and move on to more advanced medication.
‘On the evening of 15 September, my pulmonologist called and informed me that the medication I was on was becoming ineffective.

‘This brought me to the point of requiring a double lung transplant, and it was advised that the best place to have it done would be either back home in South Africa, or in India.
‘In the meantime, the new medication I was put on caused excruciating site pain, hindering my mobility to the point where I couldn’t go to work, or even get out of bed or take a shower.’
But in a drastic turn of events last month, Justin was told that a double transplant would no longer be needed.

The specialist said that if there were any blood clots in Justin’s lungs, they could be the cause of his PH.
This was discovered to be the case, and the blood clots can be removed surgically.
This would greatly improve the quality of his life, and he would need to be on far less serious chronic medication going forward.
‘We are so grateful for this finding and miracle which has taken place. It has given us renewed hope.’