Different severities?

[anonymous]

I was wondering if after 20yrs, someone could go undiagnosed with CF, yet actually demonstrate some symptoms? Such as constant hacking up of mucus, constant headaches from mucus congestion, thought to be bad allergies or chronic sinusitus, "Exercise induced Asthma", having harsh stomach cramps every day since childhood, and just the past few weeks, swelling and unaggravated bruising of the shins and calves. Doctors hinted that the swelling can be caused by a respiratroy infection.Just wondering the possibilities.....Oh, and as a child, there was an incident with the lungs where there was constant coughing, then inhalation of a toy, which they then took out after a month....perhpas it could be a reprecussion of the toy incident.

 

[HollyCatheryn]

There was one lady I read about who wasn't diagnosed with CF until she was 69! All her life she just thought she had bothersome allergies and a delicate stomach! One of the big give-aways of CF is tasting salty. If you notice that even shortly after bathing you have a salty taste to your skin - this can be a flashing signal. If you truly suspect you might have CF, suggest it to your doc. If he/she blows you off, get a second opinion. There are many different degrees of severity and of range of symptoms. It took my parents getting a 3rd opinion and demanding the CF test to diagnose my CF. It was glaringly obvious when a specialist saw me and my test results were through-the-roof positive, but some docs just don't see it. Others still mistakenly believe that CF is a childhood disease. So, keep asking questions, do your own research, and keep your doc in the loop - enlist his help.Hope maybe some of this helps.HollyCatheryn25 w/ CF, mother of 2 yr old w/o CF

 

[anonymous]

I was not diagnosed until I was 22 yrs old. As a kid I was very active in sports and was always getting plenty of exercise. I had relatively no health problems except I would usually get bronchitis every year and when I was in grade 8 I was told I had allergie related asthma. My problems started when I was about 19, I was starting college and working I had not time to play hockey anymore and was not interested in playing in the pick up leagues. I started coughing a lot and had mucus. I had seen my family doctor a couple of times and he just kept telling me to keep taking my inhaler. I put up with this a lot longer than I should have, I finally had enough and asked to see a specialist and he sent me for the sweat test.Dave 29 w/cf

 

[anonymous]

One other thing in addition to the salty skin: are you fingernails/tips larger than some of your friends? Sometimes this can be indicitive of CF.

 

[anonymous]

Heya, new to the boards <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Im Angelique..22 with CFjust wandering around and thought id mention..me and my cousin (who also has CF, 23) always make jokes about the fingers.."Maybe she has CF.." "LOOK AT THE FINGERS!" <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">They may be different but it starts up a conversation (sadly) lol--Angie<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/beer.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

wow, sorry about all those smileys..and the beer? where did that come from?!

 

[anonymous]

hehe...funny you mention the fingers. I always look at people's fingers because I was always self conscious about my fingers (no help from the other children that were my age). I certainly don't care much any more, but the fingers thing is still something I look at.Jake

 

[HollyCatheryn]

It's funny how some people take the finger thing. I'm a violin teacher and so my hands are always the focus of attention. I also teach out of my home, where I go barefoot. Everyone always comments on how pretty my fingers and toes are. I always have been bothered by them. I had to laugh though, when my gramma and I got a pedicure together. The guy put a nice little daisy chain on my big toe (cause the nails are so big), but when my gramma asked to have the smae design he told her, "Sorry lady, only room for one little flower on you." We had a good laugh about that. I also think that I can hear CF in people's voices. That slightly raspy, nasal tone from coughing and sinus congestion. What do the rest of you think. HollyCatheryn25 w/ CF, mom of 2 yr old w/o CF

 

[anonymous]

I agree on the voice thing. Also, some of us are blessed w/ the old "barrel chest" and I don't mean well endowed breasts either! I remember tying to get prom dresses to fit my big rib case in high school! Sometimes from facial coloring & lip colors, I suspect CF, but of course I never ask.