Prior to July 14, 2003, I was a vibrant, healthy mother, wife, PTSA representative, and Board Member of the Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls club. I had just finished putting on the Sammamish Community Carnival. On July 14^th all that changed when I was referred to a Rheumatologist. Within 20 minutes he diagnosed me with mixed/undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, a potentially life threatening disorder of the immune system similar to Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Scleroderma, aka the “Stone” or “Rock” disorder which disfigures and hardens your skin and internal organs.

I was prescribed the drug Plaquenel, an antimalaria drug. Within several weeks I suffered a severe allergic reaction and ended up at Evergreen Hospital ER. I was covered in red, itchy welts, my skin burned, and I had difficulty breathing. This reaction caused eye damage and severe sensitivity to the sun making me a prisoner in my own home. I was given more drugs (Epinephrine, Ambien, Hydroxyzine, Benadryl, and Aveeno) to counteract these side effects as well as placed on Prednisone, which had its own side effects.

The next drug the doctor prescribed is an old Chemotherapy drug called Methotrexate, which has all the side effects of going through chemotherapy. After 5 months my “risk ratio” was too high and I stopped the drug. “Risk Ratio” means lowered red and white cell counts, anemia, chronic infections, and I was losing my hair. I was again placed on Prednisone, which in turn made me ill, and another drug Trental. Drugs Cytoxan and Imeran (strong chemo drugs) were talked about as the possible next course as well as the controversial RA drug Arava.

I continued to become sicker with more strange manifestations and felt something was horribly wrong. I received copies of my blood tests and with the exception of changes from the medications, my tests for any immune disorder were negative, as I would learn they had been from the beginning.

At this point I was referred to the University of Washington department of Rheumatology. In March 2004 I was informed by the physicians there that I was PERFECTLY fine and NEVER had any immune disorder. I recall staring at the doctor in complete disbelief and shock. I had been through almost a year of hell for no apparent reason. The doctor stated, “Let all the drugs get out of your system, get some exercise, eat healthy, and you will feel fine”. He didn’t have any explanations to my questions of why my doctor had placed me on all the drugs; he could find no apparent reasons. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I had gone through so much pain and discomfort, 10 months of my active life were taken away, and my husband and children lost there mother for that time. I had spent months pondering my mortality.

With all the confusion of which doctor was right I got a fourth opinion at the Poly Clinic. The doctor confirmed the U of W diagnosis that I was a healthy 41 year old with no health problems and I was told to go “CELEBRATE”.

My Rheumatologist harmed me physically, emotionally, and psychologically with a wrong diagnosis and toxic drugs for no reason. To this day no one can explain his actions and reasoning. I was later to learn that he diagnosed me without running the proper tests to verify his diagnosis. In addition, he did not run proper tests to monitor the progression of his diagnosis.

Today, it has been a long journey taking my life back. Not only was I harmed, but my children and husband had to go through many family disturbances and a shift in our normal family dynamics. We paid out over $25,000 in medical bills and I am medically uninsurable for 10 years for underwriting purposes. I’ve tried to appeal to get health coverage; however, I have been informed that I will most likely lose since the use of chemo drugs leaves me at a higher risk for developing lymphoma, liver damage, pulmonary fibrosis, and kidney damage. The emotional scars and lack of reason continue to haunt me and my fear of doctors is overwhelming. My doctor has yet to be investigated, disciplined and continues to practice medicine. How many other victims are out there?