First time with Aspergillus in culture

[LouLou]

help - is there something I can take to rid my lungs of it?

 

[anonymous]

I've seen this mentioned on other threads along with mentions of the drugs used. maybe try a search?

 

[thelizardqueen]

A lot of CFers culture Aspergillus. I culture it as well. The problem that arises from it, is that some CFers can get an allergic reaction to it, and it causes really bad flairups. In order to treat Aspergillus you need to take an anti-fungal medication, or a steroid like prednisone. In order to find out if you have a reaction to the Aspergillus, you would have to get an x-ray and a blood test. There are also symptoms of a reaction to look for. Here is a link to some info that may help:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Aspergillus?open
">http://www.betterhealth.vic.go...ages/Aspergillus?open
</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.aspergillus.man.ac.uk/indexhome.htm?languages/english.php~main
">http://www.aspergillus.man.ac....ages/english.php~main
</a>

 

[anonymous]

Liz,

Did you ever find out if you had elevated igE levels? Thanks for your feedback.

I've read through the old posts about apergillus but any suggestions/help would be appreciated.

 

[LouLou]

that was me.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I did get a blood test and x-rays done by my family doctor because my specialist wouldn't do it. I didn't have elevated levels, nor did it show in my x-ray, but while I was in hospital the infectious disease doctors speculated on whether that was my problem or not, because I do in fact culture it all the time. My doc justs keeps telling me that its BS, that he as a rule does not treat aspergillus, that while I do culture it and have problems breathing, and do present most of the symptoms, he believes that aspergillus wouldn't be the cause of my problems for whatever reason. I mean really, if it is a problem for me, why wouldn't they treat it? Why leave it untreated if it really is causing problems? I don't get him saying that he doesn't treat it as a rule...

Edited to add: steroids do help bring your levels down. My family doctor told me that since I'm on symbicort which is a steroid, that it should help with my levels. Short of taking prednisone ( which does cause high blood sugars) or an antifungal med, there's nothing you can do to get rid of it. Like I've said, many CFers culture it without even knowing it and don't have a problem with it. You only have to worry about it if you're allergic to it.

 

[ej0820]

Sporonox is the only thing that's worked for me...it's one of those meds you really have to fight with the insurance companies for though. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0">

 

[LouLou]

So my doctor's reaction was that aspergillus is a common things for CFers to culture periodically and that it doesn't really require any action unless there's been a change in the patients situation/symptoms. I forgot to mention to him that I have had increased hemoptysis and small brown plugs periodically. I had thought the hemoptysis had something to do with coming off the birth control pill.

He did say it would be a good idea to get my igE levels checked. He said not so much because he wants to check for ABPA but because it's been a year and half since they were measured.

Thought you all might want to hear his approach. I'm satisfied and much calmer than last week...I tell you I really don't know how I'm going to handle it when they tell me I have MRSA or BCep. - not well.

 

[thelizardqueen]

His approach is pretty much the same as my doctor. I too have hemoptysis once and awhile and on the occasion cough up brown plugs, but my doc isn't too concerned because I don't have all the smptoms, and seeing as how my levels are good, he isn't too concerned at this point. Like your doctor said, culturing Aspergillus in CFers is fairly common. Its only when you've got a reaction to it that you have to be concerned.