Back to RFF after stroke caused by a genetic defect

[kutitta]

Hi all
I am finally back to RFF after a stroke that I had around six weeks ago. I'm 39 years old and until the stroke hit me I always thought I have good physical health except for vitiligo since 2010 and depression since 2012 that I have been suffering from.

After the stroke the test results showed that I have a genetic condition called MTHFR. I am homozygous so both genes that I received from my dad and mum are mutated. In most basic terms my body produces only 10-15% of MTHF enzyme used in the methlyation pathway. This leads to increasing level of homocysteine in blood which apparently causes clotting. This is a relatively recently diagnosed genetic condition with the data used from the Human Genome Project. Apart from increased risk of stroke, the lack of sufficient MTHF enzyme in the system might lead to problems with auto immune and cardiovascular systems, chronic depression, vitiligo and few others. More info is available from the below website:

Mthfr.net

If you have a family history of stroke and heart attacks at early age or any problems associated with MTHFR it would be good idea to get tested for MTHFR. It is not a well-known issue by most of the doctors. For example my GP had no idea about the condition when I was diagnosed by the neurologist. Once diagnosed it is a manageable problem with some lifestyle changes. So I just wanted to share my experience with the hope that this might be something to consider by the fellow members on RFF.

I'm back to shooting as well and will post my photographs once I develop two rolls I'm shooting.

Cheers
Kutay

 

[rhl-oregon]

Welcome back, Kutay, and may your health keep improving.

I had noticed your absence from the gallery, and hope to see your work there again soon.

 

[kutitta]

Welcome back, Kutay, and may your health keep improving.

I had noticed your absence from the gallery, and hope to see your work there again soon.

Thank you very much Robert, I'll post my recent work to the gallery in a week or so... Take care!

 

[LChanyungco]

welcome back and i'm glad you're doing well 🙂

 

[csxcnj]

Good that your back. You're lucky. A friend had a frontal stroke four years ago, got treated fast and still can't speak. He was supposedly in great health.

I hit the back of my head on the corner of a metal cabinet hard enough to knock me out six years ago, had a rear cerebral stroke from it three weeks later and lost all my balance, depth perception, ability to focus or move my eyes, you name it. If it had to do with movement of any kind i couldnt do it. Without extreme pain and nausea. After a two year recovery I'm 99% good.

So folks, get check ups, be healthy and still cross your fingers and knock on wood because you never know. And if it does happen to you or anyone you know start/get them to start rehabilitative therapy as soon as possible. One of the number one causes of not recovering from a stroke that isn't massive is delayed therapy. And if you get to a hospital within a couple of hours these days it is often possible to stop the damage.

 

[jesse1dog]

It's always so very pleasing to hear of people making good recoveries from strokes - well done! Look after yourself and I hope that after the diagnosis other issues now go away too.