By NICOLE VALICEK
Jason wants to create awareness for Moyamoya disease. 115502 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
WHEN Jason Robertson was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease after suffering a series of strokes, he didn’t know what to think because he didn’t know what it was.
In 2008, the Altona North resident was 38 and living in Brisbane when he had his first stroke, also known as transient ischemic attacks (TIA).
From 2008 to November 2013, Jason suffered six known strokes that continued intermittently before he was diagnosed with moyamoya.
Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive disease caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain.
After his first stroke, Jason underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), scans, cerebral angiograms and was diagnosed as having had a TIA.
He was prescribed several medications to control blood pressure and cholesterol.
Jason got the same diagnosis after his second stroke.
Both times, he briefly lost consciousness and suffered minimal but short term speech difficulties.
It wasn’t until November 2013 when he underwent an angiogram at Footscray Hospital that he was diagnosed with moyamoya.
“Initially I said ‘what’s moyamoya’ because I’d never heard of it and he (the doctor) explained it to me. He said 1 in a million people get it but being a male it’s more like 1 in 3 million people,” he said.
Like the permanent moyamoya logo tattooed on Jason’s inner arm, the disease is incurable.
“He told me it was incurable, so I was devastated really.”
Jason has been unable to work, has to have a full time career and cannot drive due to the high risk of having a stroke or seizure.
Jason is waiting to undergo two surgical interventions eight weeks apart to assist with the condition.
“Surgery is the only treatment. It will stop the strokes which will effectively stop me dying.”
“I just have to live with it and hope I get a good outcome for the surgery.”
Jason said he wanted to create awareness about the rare and relatively unknown disease.
“It’s also prevalent in children and children can get it from one year old.”
“They’re misdiagnosed quite often. They’re diagnosed with epilepsy and seizures, until they’re given a angiogram they don’t know what’s wrong for them.”
To find out more visit the moyamoya Australia Facebook page.
