After the Karen diagnosis, Maina was to be referred to a gastro-intestinologist for further check-up.
It was a strenuous moment, but he had to strike a balance between school and hospital.
“I missed classes and at one point I had to sit for special exams since the condition did not allow me to,” he says.
By mid 2012, Anthony’s test results came back confirming that he had been suffering from Eosinophilic Colitis which is a rare form of colitis that can lead to other complications.
But even with the pronounced diagnosis which has no cure, Maina couldn’t be put on any medication as more tests needed to be done to see whether his body could handle the drugs.
“According to the results, my liver seemed to be overworking and this was a cause for alarm,” a visibly sad Maina says. “My condition had deteriorated and an immediate plan of action was required.”
This meant Maina had to undergo other series of tests.
In 2014, Maina was diagnosed with ascending Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) which according to medics “is a very rare and dangerous disease.”
Doctor Kennedy Ondede a consultant surgeon at Kenyatta Hospital highlights on the intensity of the disease.
“Maina’s condition is not common worldwide. One in every 100 people is likely to have it,” he says. “It mostly affects Men between the ages of 25-45 years with a median of 41 years.”
PSC doesn’t have a definite cause but it is said to be as a result of a poor immune system and genetic factors.
“People who are said to be suffering from the condition are said to have recurrent abdominal problems, some pain, gas, diarrhoea and constipation. More often they experience repeated bouts of diarrhoea sometimes stained with blood,” he points out.
“But the biggest association we have between PSC and any other chronic disease is the Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome.”
Dr Ondede notes that his condition deteriorated due to misdiagnosis as he first exhibited symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome which was treated as typhoid.
Due to the liver condition, Maina has jaundice.
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