A 32-year-old mother from Minnesota, US, is suffering from a rare and painful condition often referred to as the “vampire disease”. The Phoenix Nightingale is severely allergic to sulfur – a compound found in garlic – which can cause potentially fatal reactions if ingested. “People call it the vampire disease,” he explained in an interview with Jam Press.
This uncommon disorder, known as acute intermittent porphyria, can cause severe pain, migraines, constipation and vomiting for several days when triggered. The condition shares a historical connection with the legendary Count Dracula, as it is suspected that Dracula’s inspiration, Vlad III, also suffered from porphyria.
This condition has led to myths about vampires’ dislike of garlic, sunlight, and their pale appearance. “It comes from the legend that they had to avoid garlic, stay out of the sun, look pale and have teeth falling out,” Ms Nightingale said. She says that the neurological side effects of the disorder can lead people to mistakenly see affected people as “monsters or possessed,” according to the NY Post.
Due to her condition, Ms. Nightingale is forced to strictly avoid foods containing sulfur. “Eating in large quantities or over a long period of time can be fatal,” he said. Symptoms may appear suddenly or develop over several weeks, making it challenging for him to live a daily life. “I’m very careful about what I put into my body. I avoid eating a lot of food. I stick to what I know is safe. I can’t even take most medications,” she shared.
Since her diagnosis, she has not eaten garlic, saying, “I can never eat garlic bread. It can make me attack.” The debilitating attacks can last for several days, during which he may vomit up to 60 times, and may also have difficulty breathing.
“I have experienced more than 480 attacks in my life, searching for answers, desperate for a diagnosis that only came last year,” she said, adding that the pain is worse than childbirth.
“I had an attack where I didn’t go to the hospital and it went on for 40 hours. It was constant vomiting, fainting, screaming and crying.”
Eating out is an added challenge for Ms Nightingale, as garlic is a common ingredient in many dishes. She avoids other sulfur-containing foods, including red grapes, soy, alcohol and coffee. “When I go out to dinner, unless it’s a place I know, I look at the menu and cry because I don’t know what I can eat,” she confessed.
Ms Nightingale has chosen to share her story publicly to raise awareness of her condition and support others who are struggling with similar unknown symptoms. “It took 31 years to be diagnosed, and I had to pay out of my own pocket and have it analyzed for years,” he said. “It is hard for a diagnosed person to find a doctor who can help. When I see a doctor or go to the hospital, they have to Google the situation.”
