Living with Sarcoidosis

You have a condition called Sarcoidosis the doctor tells me. Sarcoidosis? What in the world is that? I had never in my life heard of it. I didn't know if I should feel scared or relieved that there is finally a name for my problem. The doctor explains to me that Sarcoidosis involves an inflammation in my body that produces tiny lumps of cells in various organs. These lumps are called granulomas because they look like tiny grains of sugar or sand. These lumps can not be seem by eye, only by a microscope. When the granulomas clump together, it creates lumps and can affect how a particular organ works. This sounds scary to me. I look at the doctor in a confused way. Is this life threatening?

I find out the Sarcoidosis can occur in just about any part of your body, but it usually starts in the lungs and in your chest cavity. It can also affect your skin, eyes and liver. Fortunately though, is rarely effects your spleen, brain, heart and some other organs. He further explains that Sarcoidosis has an active and a nonactive phase. The active phase is when the granulomas form and grow. This is when symptoms can develop and scar tissue can form in the organs that it is affecting. The nonactive phase is when the inflammation goes down and the granulomas either stay the same size or shrink down, but you may still have scar tissue causing symptoms.

But my question is can I die from this disease? The answer can be no or yes. No or yes? What is that supposed to mean? For some people their Sarcoidosis stays in the same state for years, it doesn't get better, and it doesn't get worse. For others, they live symptom free lives for years. However, if your Sarcoidosis begins to affect organs that are vital for your survival, it the granulomas become severe, it can result in death. There is no way to prevent Sarcoidosis nor to be fully cured of it. It is not a form of cancer, and no one knows the exact reason for this disease. It was once thought to be an uncommon condition, but now research has shown that tens of thousands of people throughout the United States has this disease. There are even some people who have no symptoms at all.

There seems to be hundreds upon hundreds of symptoms of Sarcoidosis. From shortness of breath to chronic arthritis. Now that I know what is wrong with me, I feel better. I have been put on prednisone and now is in control of my life again.