ELEPHANT MAN: Rare Disease Causes Legs To Swell Three Inches A Year

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A man who lives in constant pain has told how a rare incurable disease causes his legs to swell by seven centimetres every year.

Tuncer Demirezen says he has to have his shoes specially made after the disease caused his feet to swell up to an enormous size.

The father of four, who comes from the city of Sivas, Turkey, told local media he had been dealing with lymphatic filariasis for almost 25 years.

Tuncer Demirezen poses in an undated photo. Demirezen, who lives in Sarkisla, Sivas, Turkey, has a disease called ‘Lymphatic filariasis’ and developed a syndrome called ‘elephantiasis’, which is marked by severe swelling in the legs. (Newsflash)

Lymphatic filariasis is a rare incurable disease caused by parasitic worms known as filarial worms, which are spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes.

The painful condition sometimes may develop into a syndrome called elephantiasis, which is marked by severe swelling in the arms, legs, breasts, or genitals.

Demirezen first visited the hospital after experiencing constant tingling in his feet before finally getting a diagnosis, local media said.

Tuncer Demirezen poses in an undated photo. Demirezen, who lives in Sarkisla, Sivas, Turkey, has a disease called ‘Lymphatic filariasis’ and developed a syndrome called ‘elephantiasis’, which is marked by severe swelling in the legs. (Newsflash)

He started taking various drugs and got poked with needles countless times in hopes of treating the disease, but the swelling just kept going.

At first, it had only affected his right foot, but it inevitably spread to the left one soon after.

Having difficulty finding shoes and trousers, Demirezen needed to start ordering them custom-made.

Tuncer Demirezen poses in an undated photo. Demirezen, who lives in Sarkisla, Sivas, Turkey, has a disease called ‘Lymphatic filariasis’ and developed a syndrome called ‘elephantiasis’, which is marked by severe swelling in the legs. (Newsflash)

He told local media: “I have four children and this disease affects me negatively. I can’t find pants and shoes to wear.

“Since my clothes are always custom-made, they cost more. I can’t go out in winter, I try to go out in shorts or slippers in summer.”

“This disease is a rare one in a million disease and there is no cure for it,” he added.

Tuncer Demirezen poses in an undated photo. Demirezen, who lives in Sarkisla, Sivas, Turkey, has a disease called ‘Lymphatic filariasis’ and developed a syndrome called ‘elephantiasis’, which is marked by severe swelling in the legs. (Newsflash)

Demirezen reached out to local authorities to ask for a battery-powered chair.

Demirezen, who receives excessive attention from strangers whenever he goes out, said they often approach him and ask him about his condition: “Those who see it wonder how I walk with these feet.

“I walk, even though I don’t walk one kilometre a day, I walk ten steps,” he said.

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