I have Bronchiectasis and emphysema. I have just been told I also have asthma. Blood tests have come back negative for aspergillus, (thank goodness) However, apparently this fungus covers among other things house dust mite, this is one thing I do have a problem with. if I come into contact with dust I start coughing badly, so I'm a bit confused. Is it possible that although I'm not allergic to dust I may be sensitive? Also, I have terrible problems with flour and the smell of paint, yet even though I mentioned all the things that affect me these two things are not mentioned. I'm totally confused.
I'd be glad of some feedback please. My follow up appointment isn't until next year.
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mustcarryon
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Hi mustcarryon, I think when u have have any lung condition any of the things u've mentioned are a problem, as they are all irritants to the lung, even those without diagnosed lung problems would also probably cough and splutter but for us it's more prominent to the problem. Although impossible completely try and avoid things that make u worse, if u have carpets and pets vaccunm regular ( urself or some else ) if u like baking wear a face mask when using flour, avoid aerosols, use roll on deodorants etc, hope this helps. Take care x Sonia x
Thanks for that Sonia. Yes I do follow all the recommendations. I don't touch aerosols, and use roll on. my husband hoover's, we have a Miele with heppa filters and I do wear a mask when using flour. I suppose with our problems we have to be careful. You take care too. have a lovely Christmas. xx
I don't quite understand what you are saying mustcarryon. Although, thankfully, you don't have aspergillus, you could still be allergic to dust mite. Unless you are meaning that they've done a specific test for that allergy. I don't have aspergillus but am very allergic to dust mite but perhaps I could be misunderstanding what you've said.
It might be useful to ask for skin patch tests if there is a possibility you have allergic asthma. Then you'd know precisely what to be careful about. And whether you have an allergy or not, Sonia is right that we are much more sensitive to all sorts of stuff if we have copd.
I may not have explained myself very well. I had blood tests that were negative to aspergillus, and dust house mite. The problem is I have a lot of problems with dust, paint and flour, however the latter two are not mentioned in the letter I have received from the hospital. and I was wondering, that if I am not allergic to dust is it possible I may be sensitive to it. That is what I was saying, I couldn't have put myself across properly, sorry for that.
No, its me mustcarryon - i see how i misunderstood now. Did the test cover mites AND dust? They are separate allergens. I still think it might be useful to have skin patch tests. Its relative easy to avoid e.g. paints which bug you (at least using bad ones, not if they are already there) but house dust and dust mites are sadly part of life.
Anyway look after yourself and take good care to avoid anything which is troubling you
Thanks for you reply. My letter said I am negative to house dust mite. When I go back to the hospital next year I will ask them about skin patch test. I understand we have to be so careful and try to avoid what troubles us, as you say some things are sadly part of our lives. You take care of yourself and have a lovely Christmas. xx
ps its many years since i had skin patch tests. Possible they have better ways to test now.
As the person living with these conditions you are bestlaced to know what affects you. Life gets complicated because we all have a variety of different conditions, sometimes a combination together. The professionals with their tests, computers and tick boxes can only at best make an educated guess. You seem to have a very good isea of what irritates you and of course, the best thing to do is to try to remove them from your home or avoid them. The bottom line is making life more comfortable for ourselves and using the docs to get the correct medication. Frustrating I know as it would be lovely if somebody could wave a magic wand but living with lung disease is 99% self help. Good luck with sorting out your home so that you can breathe easy.
One thing that we often forget is we may be allergic to some things but reactive to others. I am a Gout sufferer as well and certain foods seem to bring on my Gout but I do not have an allergic to the food. Cats and short haired dogs bring on a tight chest and runny eyes. Cherry brandy makes me sneeze but also make me warm and cuddly.
I posted some time back about a magic sponge reaction I had on my forearm. My hands dealt with the chemicals without a problem 2 wipes on the forearm and I burnt and scabbed up and it took weeks to get back to normal.
Dust can aggravate the lungs of which dust mites are a large proportion of dust?
Thank you offcut. That is what I was wondering, even though you may not be allergic to something you can be sensitive to it. I remember the problem you had with your arm. Now what do you do with your Cherry Brandy, do you put up sneezing so you can be warm and cuddly, or, is it just too good to resist? Actually, Cherry Brandy is a blast from the past. I think I may just try a tipple. Take care and have a lovely Christmas. xx
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