Regarding Natural and Holistic Approaches to Treatment of Evans Syndrome

by C. McNamara Romanowski


Over and over we hear inquiries about natural approaches to treatment of Evans Syndrome. Our answer always has to be the same: Please check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet and/or medication. 


It would be nice if we could find a cure for Evans Syndrome in nature. And to be completely honest, a lot of the medicines we use today actually got their start in nature. Here are some interesting facts  (from David T. Teachey, MD):

1. Most modern drugs are originally from nature. For example, Rapamycin is a drug that is currently being investigated in clinical trials for treating children with Evans Syndrome. Rapamycin comes from a bacteria that lives on the shore of Easter Island (known as Rapa Nui to the natives—hence the name of the drug). 
2. Not all things from nature are good for you—arsenic, cyanide, and hemlock for example. These substances are poisonous…and they are found in nature. 
3. With alternative medicine, you don't really know what you are getting. There are no FDA regulations on alternative medicine approaches.  Because of this, you could buy two (2) bottles of ginko from the same company, and one might have 100-times more ginko per pill than the other. 
4. Herbal medicines can interact with other drugs. Check to make certain that there are no drug interactions before starting anything new (natural or prescribed by your doctor). 
5. Some herbal products that are advertised as recommended for Evans syndrome can cause bleeding, and are therefore a bad choice in someone with Evans Syndrome.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to talk to your doctor before starting anything. Drugs.com is a great website to check for drug interactions and side effects.

Be proactive by double-checking information you get from your pharmacist. Stick with the same pharmacy all of the time: Your pharmacist knows what drugs you are taking and can make sure none of them will interfere with each other. Even talk with the pharmacist about non-prescription remedies, to make certain your prescriptions won’t be impaired by something over-the-counter.


For example: St. John’s Wort, in the US, is recommended by herbalists for treatment of depression. There is no standard dose or regulation that prevents a person from taking as much as desired. St. John’s Wort can cause an increase in serotonin levels, leading to a condition known as serotonin syndrome. Withdrawal symptoms can be extreme, and include excessive tremors, hot flushes, increased anxiety, and restlessness. On top of that, St. John’s Wort can interfere with prescription serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Zoloft, Prozac, and so on. In the US, St. John’s Wort is viewed as a benign herb, however in the Republic of Ireland a prescription is needed for St. John’s Wort. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John's_wort)


Remember...you are your own best advocate, and the advocate of your children. It’s up to you to make sure you get the most appropriate care, are on the appropriate meds, and eating the appropriate diet for your circumstances and health.


Copyright © 2012 by Evans Syndrome Community Network. All rights reserved.

Every Day Is a Gift

Contributed by C. McNamara Romanowski

My name is Constance. I am 51 years old. Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with Evans Syndrome.

There were signs that I had a problem with my immune system for many, many years, actually beginning around age 2 when I was first diagnosed with a severe allergy to penicillin.  Around age 7, I was diagnosed with eczema. At age 15 I was placed on birth control pills to control crazy menstrual cycles. At 29, it was Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In my 30s, I developed numerous allergies to various medications, primarily sulfas. Also, I started having problems with unexplained pain throughout my body. Sometimes I wondered if I would see my 40^th birthday.

When I made it to 40, I thought, “Wow, every day from here on out is a gift!”

On my 44^th birthday, I was diagnosed with Evans Syndrome following a lengthy period of decline that culminated in a hospitalization.

Treatment  consisted of blood transfusions, IVIg, and finally rituximab. Not so very long after my last rituximab infusion, my blood counts skyrocketed to normal but then I started having trouble breathing.

On my 45^th birthday I was diagnosed with massive pulmonary emboli in both lungs due to Factor V Leiden and a Lupus trait to hyper-coagulate. Once my Evans had been brought under control, it gave the hyper-coagulation tendencies in my body a chance to wreak havoc. My life was saved by a catheter into my lungs, injecting strong anti-coagulants directly into the clots.

Sometime during my 45^th year, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and then Lupus. I have been lucky, though. So far, Lupus doesn’t appear to have affected any of my organs.

Throughout this journey, I have sought information with regard to what’s happening to my body. In particular, it was difficult to find much information on Evans Syndrome. Because of that, my husband, William, and I decided to start a network of people who shared this diagnosis. The Evans Syndrome Community Network was born.

Speaking figuratively…We are from every continent; we are every race; we are every age; we are every sex. We are the Evans Syndrome Community, and we are united. We may be rare, but we are not alone. Together we will make a difference, standing shoulder to shoulder.

I have been asked, “Who are your heroes?” 

I really have to answer: "My heroes are my doctors and nurses and all of the other individuals who have participated in my healthcare. My heroes also are all of the moms and dads and grandparents and spouses out there who are caring for a person with Evans Syndrome. My heroes are those who have Evans Syndrome and fight every day to overcome its obstacles."

Today I am on blood thinners, and I am in remission from Evans Syndrome. Every day is indeed a gift…every breath, a joy.

Copyright © 2012 by Evans Syndrome Community Network. All rights reserved.