allergies, asthma and polyps

[DestinyBucket]

Good morning.

I’ve been on Benralizumab for two years now. It has been extremely successful in treating my atopic eosinophilic asthma, going from monthly chest infections to zero and I am extremely grateful.

Like many asthma sufferers I am allergic to many things; cats, dogs, all types of pollen, dust and have a sulphite intolerance. I have had nasal polyps since 2000 but now they have spread to my ears. I’ve been wearing hearing aids for a year now as I’m totally deaf without them. Apart from being cauterised, I’m having no other treatment. The consultant is loathe to remove them in case a nerve in my face is severed. They grow back anyway.

Two years ago my eyes started to get sticky overnight and, after much toing and froing, saw an eye consultant who diagnosed atopic kerato conjunctivitis with giant papillary conjunctivitis. Despite various treatments there’s little improvement. I was just wondering whether anybody else had had the same experience and, if so, do they have any suggestions. My eye consultant has said all these conditions are related hence why I’m writing on the asthma site. Thank you

[Poobah]

The US has approved several biologics for Samters Triad (nasal polyps etc) but I believe the only one available in the UK is Dupilumab. The first hurdle is getting a consultant who specialises in Samters who will move mountains in order for you to receive appropriate treatment.

The low omega 6 diet has proved very helpful for many sufferers and in order to explore your options, I recommend the following website and the associated Facebook group. If you post your question on the FB group and specify your country, you'll get recommendations for consultants and available treatments. The website includes details of the foods to avoid and a variety of other information.

I was diagnosed 40 years ago and have struggled with appropriate treatment on the NHS, as knowledge of the disease is so patchy. But I've learned about my triggers by trial and error over the years but stumbling on the Samters website brought everything together. By then I had pretty much got things under control through diet, Beconase and Montelukast, but now have tinnitus thanks to polyps. Getting them under control is necessary in order to avoid further damage.

samterssociety.org/

[DestinyBucket in reply to Poobah]

Thank you so much. That is really helpful.