POEMS syndrome is a rare blood disorder that can affect multiple body systems, including the nerves, organs, and skin. The name POEMS stands for the syndrome's most common signs and symptoms:
Polyneuropathy: Nerve damage that can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs and hands, and difficulty breathing
Organomegaly: Enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes
Endocrinopathy/edema: Abnormal hormone levels that can lead to diabetes, hypothyroidism, ****** problems, fatigue, and swelling in the limbs
Monoclonal protein: An abnormal protein produced by abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow
Skin changes: Darkening, thickening, red spots, or increased ****** or leg hair
What Is POEMS Syndrome? An Overview
POEMS syndrome is caused by abnormal plasma cell function in the bone marrow. The abnormal plasma cells release a monoclonal protein into the blood, which can damage nerves and organs.
An early sign of POEMS syndrome is papilledema, which is reported in 29–64% of patients. Papilledema correlates with poor prognosis.
Nerve pain is common in POEMS syndrome and can be treated with drugs such as amitriptyline, gabapentin, or pregabalin.
Ps.
According to my doctor
I am suffering from a rare
form of compulsory poetry
disorder with my current
count of 5,733 poems and the
Guinness book of records
holder John Bradburne had
6,000 composed at the time
of his death. As he is not there
to continue the challenge, I
will not take his record away
from him, but I will be exceeding
six thousand poems early 2025.