Black mold

[3-4ever]

> I'm trying to figure out why I get winded while doing very little. I've been a smoker for 47 years. Recently my doc ordered lung x-rays. With the results my doc practically called me a liar as to how many years I've smoked, saying the pictures do not represent a 20 year smoker much less 40+ years. I told the truth, so he set me up for a COPD test, which I passed, giving my doc more doubt about my smoking habit. He gave me some steroid medication, that did nothing for my breathing, but put 30# on me.

> It has just dawned on me, the last place I worked was inside an historic building. I worked in the bar, 40-50 hours per week for 4 years, the 4th year is when my coughing began. I quit and retired, it's been 5 years since I worked there, but the last 2 years is when I began getting winded, and recently got tested for COPD.

> Two weeks ago, I ran into their maintenance man who informed me, while making changes to the bar, they had to stop construction due to massive amounts of black mold under the bar top and bar walls, especially thick in the service area, under the ice bend and sink where the mold was constantly fed with drips of water. They had to call in professionals to clean it up.

> I don't know much about black mold, except from the news saying it can be fatal if highly exposed to their open spoors, and not much info from the internet. Can my breathing problem be caused from working behind that bar? I don't know if there was any open spoors, unless the slow drips of water activated them during working hours? If it black mold causes breathing problems, is there any meds that can give relief?

[soppysokes]

Yes it can cause problems usually more to those who already have poorer than average ling function. maybe gp should look at heart and other possible reasons if lungs appear clear.

[MoyB]

I think this is something to discuss with your doctor. Bring it to their attention and ask for further tests. Not sure if you have had a recent sputum test but maybe ask for one to be done. Also, have you had blood count test? This might show up any current infection that you are fighting, even if the sputum sample shows nothing (as is often the case!)

There are certainly moulds that can affect the lungs and this needs to be investigated, based on what you have said. If there proves to be no connection, you can rest easy about it. If there is a connection, you can ask about treatment.

Don't be fobbed off!

xx Moy

[Germantara]

It definitely can cause repertory problems every day cleaning products even birds it' to do with the feathers alot off men who race pigeons suffer with breathing problems

[peege]

There can be lots of reasons for shortness of breath. There's obviously something amiss so really it's best to keep going to the GP for investigations. A CT scan should show if there's a mould growth in your lungs (I was investigated for it in 2013 via consultant at hospital). Some people have an allergy to particular mould spores. Good luck and as MoyB says, don't get fobbed off!

[Hidden]

I would have thought mould related shortness of breath would show something on X-ray but you say yours is clear. I Agree with other replies, get heart checked and ask for respiratory referral. Take care 🦊x

[Biker88]

Black mould is caused by many different types of fungi, the mould would need to be professionally analysed to identify the fungi involved, then you can see if they are directly linked to disease such as Aspergillus. Mould is normally associated with damp environments which are not generally considered good for health anyway. Did the COPD testing include a lung function test, if it did and you passed it it means that your lung function is within the acceptable range for your age. Most serious lung problems are shown up by X-ray and lung function tests, but breathlessness can be caused by being unfit, heart problems, anxiety, smoking, lung scarring. Coughing can be caused by smoking as well as assorted infections, but one thing is often overlooked is allergy cough, we know getting too close to a bonfire can cause coughing. My persistent cough was eventually linked to my hiatus hernia and acid reflux, excessive stomach gas was getting into my lungs and irritating them, now fixed by Omeprazole. My aspergillosis and COPD were diagnosed quite quickly but my cough took 7 years to resolve. Steroids will help if the breathing is affected by inflammation, but won’t do anything if the problem is not inflammation. I don’t think there is a medication without knowing the cause.

[Izb1]

Hi 3-4ever and welcome to the site. I think the doctor should send you for a ct scan which would be better than an x-ray and perhaps show things that xrays dont. As everybody says further investigations are needed x

[PaulineHM]

Hello 3-4ever,

Welcome here. Hmmmmmm, sorry that you are having trouble with your breathing.

You mentioned that your doctor ordered an X-ray and told you you didn’t have COPD. As far as I know COPD can’t be diagnosed from an XRay. It is diagnosed from a full range of specific lung function tests and if necessary after that a CT scan.

It is possible to do a basic spirometry in the surgery which will give an idea of of how much you air you can breathe out and how long that takes but doesn’t take the place of a full lung function test.

I suggest you return to your doctor, stand your ground and ask for full investigations. Then you will receive appropriate treatment.

Mould of any kind does not belong in the lungs and certainly affects lung function. That too needs more investigation and if that is the case then treatment is available.

If you need more support the nurse on the Asthma + Lung U.K. helpline is very helpful.

Stay in touch with us here and let us know how you get on.

Be well.

Pauline

[Nula2]

Hi, welcome to the forum 🙂. I have Bronchiectasis and recurring Aspergillosis which I think can be caused by exposure to mould. This wasn't detected on an X-ray. I think you'd need further tests for this. Maybe asked to be referred to a lung specialist and explain about your exposure to mould. Good luck - hope you get the right help.

[Lutontown]

I've told this tale many times; in 2016 I had loads of chest infections as I had done in previous years, so in 2017 I kept a diary, and counted 18 chest infections in that year; various bugs and antibiotics to sort. In April 2018 we had our bath changed for a walk-in shower. When the bath was removed, the bathroom floor was found to be covered 70% of its area in Black Mould. This was due to the bath's drain leaking. The floor was replaced, and the installation of the shower completed, and since then I've had NO chest infections. (except having a 10 day stay in hospital with pneumonia and pleurisy in Nov 2019). We had been living in this home since Aug 2013, so it took nearly five years of bacterial and one fungal infection to find the culprit. Mould can grow anywhere there is damp, so due to a leaking roof, or in the kitchen or bathroom where water serves your domestic appliances, toilet and washing facilities and their drains. I believe a bug I had in 2014 lasting from end of March to November, was the cause of me contracting Bronchiectasis. This bug was Staphylloccus Aureus which required a course if IV antibiotics to sort.

Sorry, I have to spell MOULD the British way. My american set-up on my computer tells me it's wrong.

[Manicrose]

Have you had a sample of sputum tested?

[alcgb]

I have Aspergillosis & it can only be detected by a special blood test, which is an IgE blood test. It can’t be detected on x-rays or scans.

[LungNRestless]

I have hypersensitive pneumonitis which can be caused by mould spores (mine isn’t). My X-rays were clear up until recently eventhough I’d lost 50% lung function. We only discovered the issue when I was given a CT scan after saying I was breathless.