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Bronchiectasis and Aspergillosis

Janlyn1953 profile image
21 Replies

Hi.

Has anyone got both Bronchiectasis and Aspergillosis.

I have constant chest infections due to the Aspergillosis mould attacking my lungs.

My chest specialist has given me Itraconazole to take, as soon as I've finished yet another batch of Antibiotics for another chest infection.

Has anyone taken these tablets, I have noticed there is quite a few side effects.

I'm so fed up of being poorly I'm desperate to try anything to get well.

But just want to know others experience with this drug.

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Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953
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21 Replies

Hello, I have Bronchiectasis but not ASPERGILLOSIS. I have Pseudomonas instead. So I have no experience of the medicine you have been given. But I just want to say that all drugs have side effects (even Aspirin) and it is unlikely that you will have all of them. You might not have any at all. Wishing you well.

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953 in reply to

Thank you.

Oshgosh profile image
Oshgosh

Sometimes I read the potential side effects on my ever increasing array of drugs.then I think about how my symptoms affect me.

Then I take the tablets anyway.

I just want to feel a bit better

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953 in reply toOshgosh

Yes me to.

Yes I’ve got Bronchiectasis and aspergillosis (ABPA, not the invasive type.) I’ve taken itraconazole quite a few times & was once on it continually for about 5 years, but am off it at the moment. I haven’t had any problems.

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953 in reply to

Did you get any side effects on it?

in reply toJanlyn1953

No, I didn’t. Bear I mind that the side effects listed on the leaflet cover every single problem that arises during clinical trials, from whatever cause. I once did a year long trial & had to make a daily note of every single ache, rash etc whether related to the drug or not.

Belinda3smith profile image
Belinda3smith in reply to

That's fantastic for you, I only took them for 5 weeks and had a bad reaction on the last week, still feeling very poorly so had to stop them yesterday. Wish I knew the dos & don'ts of what I should, or should not be doing or eating to help naturally, pleased you're feeling well

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953 in reply toBelinda3smith

I haven't started the tablets, as I've got another infection, I was only off my 2 weeks Antibiotics, when I was poorly again .

I see my specialist in 3 weeks, I dont seem to be getting better, always out of breath which is unusual for me.

Nasty cough, no energy, it's a bad time of year for mould and damp, which we are breathing in wont help.

Belinda3smith profile image
Belinda3smith in reply toJanlyn1953

When I kept having infections the consultant put me on corticosteroids for 3 months reducing in that time and it made me really well, then I went onto the antifungal, itracoazole and was doing really well til last week as I said, I may try them again when I recover from the side effects but I am looking into the dos & don'ts now, but it's hard to find the natural solution, all the best to you, hope you feel better soon

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953 in reply toBelinda3smith

They try to avoid me going on steroids unless really bad, due to bad side effects they give me, also I have osteo quite bad.

It's a vicious circle, im afraid.

Keep going , I will try find a solution

Pity they cant find a cure for allergies.

This is what causes most of me being poorly

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953

That's good.

I am going to try them, if I have side effects i will just stop.

Trouble is i have so many other allergies to drugs, they have difficulty getting me on some things.

Guy_Incognito profile image
Guy_Incognito

Hi Janlyn, I have the same as Hanne62 (Bronchiectasis and ABPA) and have taken Itraconazole quite often, the longest continuous period being 6 months. I'm not on it now but didn't have any side effects either. Good luck!

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953

Did you find it helped ?

Did it help prevent infections, and the mould attacking your lungs .

Clareyg profile image
Clareyg

Hi Janlyn

I have ABPA and Bronchiectasis plus asthma and I’m in the same boat as you. My IgE is over 1100 (still is) and my eosinophil count was 2000 when I was put on itraconozole in July. I can’t tolerate prednisone at all as it makes me really depressed so my consultant put me on itraconozole to try to control the ABPA. I took them for 3 months before my hands and feet swelled up and I got bleeding under the skin on my arms. I felt fine though while I was on them but was taken off them because of the swelling issues. They brought my eosinophil count back down to the normal zone - first time in 2 years but didn’t deal with the IgE. As soon as I stopped them I had a really prolonged infection which took IV ABs to get under control so they clearly did something good whilst I took them. I’m about to start Voriconazole next week - really not looking forward to that as the side effects appear much more unpleasant than itraconozole which my consultant said are generally well tolerated so hopefully you will be fine taking them. Good luck. C

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513 in reply toClareyg

Hi. Just wanted to let you know I was put on voriconazole a month ago and have had no swelling and feel great . Mandy

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953

Thank you.

Hope you have good results on your new drug.

I'm still struggling with this infection, I'm on my 3rd week, and dont seem to be picking up much at all.

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513

Hi. Yes I have both and was on itraconazole and they were fantastic. My cough was almost gone which is rare with bronchiectasis and my breathing improved and I havnt been in hospital with a chest infection. However I did have some swelling in my legs so the dose was reduced and everything was great . I was put on itraconazole in march and have just had it changed to voriconazole due to a couple of issues my consultant needing dealing with. Being put on these tablets changed my life I was going into hospital every 10-12 weeks and spending 2 weeks each time on iv antibiotics. I would say just look out for swollen ankles and give them a go. I feel I have energy now and my mood has lifted it's all been great for me. There is an Aspergillosis support group on Facebook that's really good . Mandy

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953

Thanks

Janlyn1953 profile image
Janlyn1953 in reply toJanlyn1953

Thank you for your advice.

I haven't started the tablets yet as I've another infection and back on Antibiotics.

I just dont seem to be getting better at all, so short of breath which is so unusual for me, I'm so tired as well, never had it,so bad, time of year doesn't help, all the damp and mould about.

I'm not on Facebook, so can't look up the Aspergillosis up.

I see my specialist in 3 weeks.

Belinda3smith profile image
Belinda3smith

Hi, I've taken itraconazole for 5 weeks, I was fine for the first 4 weeks, then I got most of the side effects, I had no choice but to stop them, it's like my body couldn't tolerate them any longer. You may be ok. I have ABPA & bronchietasis

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