ABPA and bronchiectasis

[Tinker26]

Just been referred to the wythenshaw hospital for allergic aspergillosis,had numerous chest infections over five years,treated for allergic asthma,then diagnosed with mild bronchiectasis in both lungs.Oxygen level 98% and spirometry 110% .Sputum test normal yet suffer from night sweats and chills,and joint pain.Apparantly these are classic symptoms of ABPA.So relieved to Be seeing specialist as Dad had a fungus in his lungs so they are testing me for hereditary genes !

[sassy59]

Thinking of you Tinker and hope you get some better news soon. Love and hugs. Xxxx

[Tinker26 in reply to sassy59]

Thankyou,will keep this fab forum updated x

[sagittar]

How do you test for fungus in the lungs and what is ABPA?....Just curious.

[Tinker26 in reply to sagittar]

It just showed up in my blood tests,the specialist requested an allergy test which showed up about 15 allergies,ABPA is an allergy to aspergillosis fumigatus a fungal spore and this was in my results !

[veg58]

Hi there, I have ABPA, bronchiectasis and asthma which was diagnosed 2 years ago. I have been on an antifungal drug called itraconazole and it has certainly reduced my infections and improved my quality of life. They measure an antibody called IgE to assess your response to the medication. As the load of fungus drops, so does your IgE. Mine was originally 15000 (normal is <200!) and now it is around 1500 so something is working! I do hope you have a good response too!

[Tinker26 in reply to veg58]

Thankyou so much ,felt like I was going mad as the infection would clear for about a week then come back .It wasn’t until my doctor had my results back (after being told I was discharged from the chest clinic) that my specialist noted that I had tested positive for ABPA and that further investigation was needed.I am so glad that you are feeling better.You have given me so much hope x