Asthma

[nelwhynot]

Hi ,room I was just told by my pulomonoligst I have mild asthma with fibrosis.
Can anyone tell me what this means, what is mild asthma I have real tight chest with exercising or just walking across a room Iam very weak just want to sleep all the time.
My ct scan shows fibrosis in both lungs .will I be able to work again or will this keep getting worse.
I am 46 as of today and he told me I have lungs of a 55 year old.
Any suggestions would be great as to I dont know where I stand I am on steriods and blue puffers.
thanks room .
nelly

[Davy9]

nelwhynot.... Fibrotic lungs are kind of the opposite of emphysematous lungs. In emphysema the lungs loose elasticity and over expand while in diffuse fibrosis the lungs become stiffer and decrease in size (to some degree). That is why your work of breathing is so great and you tire when doing even small amounts of work.

You need to have a full pulmonary function study done to determine how serious your fibrosis is. This should include a gas diffusion study to assess how easily gases can cross from your lungs into your blood stream. Complete studies are typically available in major hospitals while the little machines in the Doctors offices do only pulmonary screenings.

I am uncertain as to the modern approaches to treating these conditions. They are caused by a range of things. Certain diseases, like scleroderma, can result in fibrotic lungs or exposure to certain air born irritants can lead to the same condition. Certainly the cause will also determine at least some of the treatment.

On the outer perimeter of treatment for this is a lung transplant. It sounds extreme and scary but they can, and they do, work out well. If you should need one then you need to get on a transplant waiting list ASAP. Doing the pulmonary function studies mentioned above will help decide how bad you are, how fast you might be progressing or how well any treatment could be working. All of that will help define a course of treatment.

It is a bit of a sticky wicket and I am sorry you're having to deal with it. Work quickly to get the cause of the fibrosis defined and how far it has progressed. Get a treatment plan started and follow it. Follow up and be certain that the treatment plan is working to slow any progress or hopefully reverse some of it. If your condition is advanced then ask whether a lung transplant is an option then get that process initiated. Feel free to report back here and I'll help with what I can. Chin up and attack your problem.

[nelwhynot]

Hi davy9:
Thanks again for you reply.
Now Iam scared as to what is gong on as i was subject to alot of chemicals as i worked at a chemical plat that process non sugrial latex gloves.
I worked at this facility for 5yrs. where I would come off shifts with nose bleeds, and the fumes where sky high as I had also worked around starch which cover my nostiles .
I and among all the employees inhaled these chemicals for yrs.
I was told by my pulmogolist I have lungs of a fifty yr old man as to with mild asthma and fibrosis being present.what is mild asthma as i have complete chest tighness cosant and when walking up staris gaspe for air and any light duty makes me light headed.
Waiting for the doctor to let me know where i stand as i also have third stage g r e d which is out of control at the moment.Iam writing to you as I feel i can talk to and I just turned forty six yesterday as my mother died at the age of 47 with lung disease where she never smoke or drank.
Any information would be very much appreciated.
sincerely yours
nelwhynot...

[Davy9]

That working environment sounds like it could well be the source of your problem. If your physician(s) agree you might consider exploring legal avenues to define the scope of their liability. I know it is hard but being afraid will not make things different or better. Your life is not in eminent danger. You have a medical problem that will require the proper steps to treat. Remain calm and take those steps. If you have family, friends or church relations enlist their aid to help keep your spirits up. Also, do not assume the worst. You have not yet been thoroughly evaluated. Try keeping a diary to help you keep your thoughts and plans organized.

Again:

1) Get the cause identified. If it is from your industrial exposure find out if they can be held liable for your care.

2) Get the severity of your situation defined. The Xray study showed the existence of the condition but it cannot completely define its status.

3) Get a treatment plan and understand it. Know what to expect from the treatment(s) and when they will be re-evaluated. Learn about all the potential treatment options that you might need to consider.

4) Talk frankly with your doctor so that you have a clear understanding of your situation.