Aspergillosis and Bronchiectasis

[Janlyn1953]

I Have Bronchiectasis and Aspergillosis allergy.

This Allergy is making my Bronchiectasis bad.

I've had several medications from the doctor and chest specialist but with no luck, some of the medications I was un able to take because they upset me.

A visit to the chest specialist this week, he has given me a drug called Montelukast, which I'm afraid I cannot take, due to the side effects.

Does anyone have these same problems as me, and found something to relieve this alful allergy and constant chest infections.

They have said I may be able to have some injections for this but heard nothing.

[Annie04]

I feel for you as I too have this this. Yes I’ve been taking Montelukast for around eight years I find it very helpful. May I ask if you have had an infection with Aspergillius? I was hospitalised with it 18 months ago and was diagnosed with Bronchitasis at the same time.

Wishing you well.

[Janlyn1953 in reply to Annie04]

Hi.Yes I keep having chest infections, to many really.

[helenlw7 in reply to Janlyn1953]

I used to have a lot of of chest infections until my lung consultant put me on the antibiotic azithromycin (250mg 3 times a week) as a prophylactic about7 years ago. In recent years research has shown that it is a good drug for asthma sufferers at 500mg so my dose was doubled. I’ve only had 1 chest infection since then and that was when my consultant said to take a break from it in the summer because people don’t get chest infections then!

[Hidden]

I presume you’ve had oral anti-fungals + prednisone? Have you had IV anti-fungals too? They do have significant side effects which some people can’t tolerate. Do you also have severe allergic asthma and if so have you been assessed for omalizumab injections (brand name, Xolair?) I had an intractable problem with it but anti-fungals didn’t help much. However, Xolair has turned things round for me! Perhaps you could ask your consultant if you can be assessed for this. It’s a very expensive drug so you have to meet certain criteria.

[Janlyn1953 in reply to Hidden]

Hi.My specialist has mentioned these injections, he is going to look into this for. me, in 3 months time.

I've had no help really, I've noticed I'm out of breath a lot now when I do things pains in chest.

They just give me Antibiotics and steroids which sometimes dont have much effect.

Yes I also have allergy Asthma.

Janet

[Hidden in reply to Janlyn1953]

I feel for you, Janet. I got worse & worse too til I could hardly do a thing, and even 50mg prednisone wasn’t helping much. For me, Xolair’s been nothing short of a miracle.

Why’s your consultant waiting 3 months? If I were you I’d contact him, tell him you’re going downhill & would like to be referred for this now! I think Xolair needs to be prescribed by a Severe Asthma Unit. They assess you (a day of blood tests, lung function, physio etc) and if approved, your case is put before a Multi Disciplinary Team and funding applied for. This sounds very time consuming but I think for me it took 4 months, from the date my bronch consultant referred me until I got my first jabs.

If you get the chance, go for it Janet. I’ve not even had any side effects

[Janlyn1953 in reply to Hidden]

Hi.I went to see the specialist last Thursday and he said to try Montelukast, so he gave me 3 months and then I have to go back to see him, he said he would inquire about the injections.

I'm not taking these Montelukast tablets , they gave me side effects and so drowsy, all day it was not nice I live on my own, so I want my wits about me, I was that tired I couldn't drive my car.

I'm phoning the doctor Monday, see if he can write to the specialist and see if they will do these injections.

These past few months I seem to have got very poorly.

The Aspergillosis allergy is terrible, which affects the Bronchiectasis.

Yes I'm going to try, I wonder if you could pay for them, guess they will be expensive.

Regards Janet

[Hidden in reply to Janlyn1953]

Hmm, not sure how much but if it has to be approved on a case by case basis it must be quite expensive. Have you tried taking montelukast at night? Most people do. Some complain of vivid dreams but they never bothered me, although after about 7yrs I started getting aggressive nighttime headaches. Have you tried fexofenadine tablets? No other antihistamine works for me but that one does. Without it I have intolerably itchy skin. Many asthmatics on Xolair also take it.

[Janlyn1953 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I took Montelukast at night.But I felt really poorly on it.

I will have a word with my doctor about fexofenadine, I do tend to be sensitive to a lot of drugs including some antibiotics, I'm very limited to what I can take.

Need to get something sorted I seem to be getting worse suddenly.

I can hardly walk the dog now, I feel that bad.

Thank you for your kind advice.

Janet

[Hidden in reply to Janlyn1953]

I’m sorry, Janet. I really hope this guy sorts something out for you 😘

[Janlyn1953 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.I will let you know.

Janet

[Patk1 in reply to Janlyn1953]

Try taking montelucast at night

[Janlyn1953 in reply to Patk1]

I did take it at night,xbut the reaction was terrible.They do have a problem with getting the right drug for me, as I'm so sensitive to so many drugs, eg having bad reactions.

I'm hoping to be able to have some injections, they are looking into it for me.