UAE Expat Cured After 6-Year Mystery Illness

He experimented with various treatments and saw doctors from various departments, but every effort to find relief was unsuccessful.

Suffering from intense arm pain for almost six years, Mohammad Aftab, an expatriate from India living in the UAE, had a condition that doctors could not identify despite undergoing many tests.

He traveled to 25 hospitals and clinics in UAE, India, US, and UK, and had approximately 25 CT scans and 14 MRI scans. The appointments involved meetings with experts from various fields such as orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery, and vascular surgery.

Aftab stated that this unforeseen health problem completely disrupted his life. I had numerous doctor appointments, underwent various tests, and even had surgery to address a suspected issue, but my pain continued to increase. The powerful drugs made me feel dizzy; in an attempt to alleviate this, I experimented with alternative therapies such as homeopathy, Ayurveda, cupping, and acupuncture, but none provided relief. It was a continuous battle with every effort to find relief coming up short.

Aftab's challenging journey finally concluded in June 2024 at Thumbay University Hospital in Ajman. A team of doctors from various fields found a rare 6mm glomus tumor in his right arm. This tiny, harmless growth, which had gone unnoticed for years, was pinpointed as the cause of his severe discomfort.

Dr Faisal Ameer, a consultant at Thumbay University Hospital's Centre of Plastic Surgery, stated that Glomus tumours are uncommon and may pose a challenge for specialists who lack experience with them.

Because of their tiny size, they can go unnoticed for many years. Dr. Ameer noted that Aftab had been experiencing pain and significant stress for the past six years due to a slow-growing tumor, which he was unable to address.

Doctors say individuals with glomus tumors frequently feel intense pain in their fingers or hands. These growths usually form in the deep tissues and come from glomus bodies, which are specialized structures responsible for controlling blood flow and temperature.

Exposure to cold temperatures or pressure on the impacted area can lead to significant problems. Because of their tiny size and being so far inside, they are hard to find, which can result in undiscovered symptoms for a long time until the right treatment is discovered. Typically, surgery is necessary to treat the condition, but because of their small size, it can be very difficult.

Discovering the underlying reason for his persistent health problems brought great relief to Aftab and his family. A neurosurgeon suggested that I see Dr Ameer for either a neuroma or a glomus tumor. I was quite taken aback when I was advised to see a plastic surgeon. To my knowledge, plastic surgeons perform procedures to enhance beauty.
Following a comprehensive assessment and discussion with Dr. Arundeep Arora, a radiologist specialist at Thumbay University Hospital, it was agreed to conduct a second MRI scan. This particular scan ended up discovering a 6mm glomus tumor located in my arm. At last, I found out the cause of my long-term health issues. Aftab mentioned that it took half a dozen years to receive a diagnosis.

Effective operation and recuperation

Dr Ameer successfully removed the tumor from Aftab's arm using microsurgery. "The operation was successful, and the patient experienced no complications during the procedure." Yet, we had to endure a delay of multiple weeks to confirm the complete elimination of the tumor and absence of any remaining growths. Dr. Ameer stated that in these situations, we need to conduct careful postoperative assessments and continue monitoring with imaging to ensure complete removal and watch for any possibility of it coming back.

In Aftab's situation, the tumor was completely removed, and his pain is no longer present. He is currently in the process of recuperating steadily, with continuous follow-up to track his overall improvement.

Following the surgery, Aftab recovered quickly. I am resolved to regain the ability to play cricket, a sport I had to quit because of the pain. A few doctors proposed that I may need to manage the pain and depend on medication for relief. At last, I can once again indulge in the pastimes that bring me joy after a lengthy absence. Aftab mentioned that his family is also very happy.

Discover How a UAE Expat Overcame a 6-Year Illness! To get the latest news stay connected with Just Dubai!