Acromegaly Patient Tells Her Story

I’ve heard of the disease that Andre the Giant had, as well as Richard Kiel (the bad guy in the James Bond flicks), but I had never heard of it affecting a woman. Now, Tanya Angus is telling her story. Tanya used to be 5 foot 11 and weigh 115 pounds. She was tall and thin, and wanted to be an actress. Now, she’s 6 foot 6 and 480 pounds. Her body keeps growing because of acromegaly, or gigantism.

This story is heartbreaking, but it once again shows doctors who blew off their patient. Had this disease was caught early, perhaps this girl would not be suffering today. While the disease hits four in a million people each year, it can also be treated with drugs and surgery if caught early enough.

Tanya noticed a problem ten years ago, when she “started getting migraine headaches and noticed her shoes no longer fit. Her voice was getting deeper and she was growing again.” She went to many doctors, all who “dismissed her and even accused her of making up symptoms.” This is the part that angers me. I can understand that doctors hear a lot of complaints with people, but when her shoes no longer fit? She’s not making that up. It’s physical. Why not do extra tests? Spend some time with a patient that obviously needs you?

Growth of the hands and feet is one symptom of gigantism, as is “enlargement of facial features such as the brow, jaw and nose.” Patients can also get joint pain and headaches, among other symptoms.

Unfortunately, Tanya has now had three surgeries and takes medication, but her symptoms keep coming back. Our thoughts are with this brave young woman, and are appreciation for telling her story.

Image: Zuma Press