Thank you

[Claire317]

I'm a 39yr old single Mother and this is the quick version of my story........ My kidneys failed in labour with my second child 14yrs ago after a couple of health problems. After 2 yrs of medication and diet control I was told I had to go on haemodialisis. After 2 yrs of dialysis I was lucky enough to be called in for a kidney transplant. 18 months after my transplant I was having violent headaches and eventually my slight was so blurry I could see my hand infront of my face. I'd had a reaction to one of the transplant drugs and developed Benign Intcranial Hypertention ( I was making too much spinal fluid, which resulted in it collecting in my head around my brain causing swelling to the nerves of my eyes). After numerous lumbar punctures my vision started to return, but after 6 months I was till having weekly lumbar punctures to relieve the pressure even tho I was no longer on the medication that caused it. It was decided I needed a lumbar peritoneal shunt, to per mantle drain the excess spinal fluid. After a couple of un eventful years, other than the odd chest infection or cold, I developed pneumonia. This was because I was on immuno suppressants to stop my body attacking the kidney, but made me easily get every cough, cold and sniffle going. I was really ill for a long time, I was eventually referred to a chest consultant and was told I had Bronchiectasis and obstructive sleep apnea, around this time my marriage was breaking up so I put these new diagnosis to the back of my head...... I don't think I took the Bronchiectasis seriously because I'd never heard of it. So I didn't go to the physio and told the consultant at every appointment I was fine...... Obviously to me the kidney was more important. Needless to say I got divorced and then my health deteriorated because I wasn't looking after my chest. Now 3 yrs later I have been off work ( I work in a primary school....... I know, I know a hot bed of germs) for 6 months. I have now been diagnosed with asthma and folic acid deficiency and my kidney playing up slightly ( I have to have a biopsy on Monday ). I have felt quite low and all alone with Bronchiectasis and it was only after I went to physio on Thursday I have taken this illness seriously. I stumbled onto this site while googling Bronchiectasis. I would like to say a big thank you to you all, I don't feel like I'm going through this alone and reading what symptoms some of you have makes me realise this is an illness to be taken seriously and I wasn't imagining the symptoms ( I think I thought they were to do with my kidney doh). My aim is to try and get well enough to go back to work soon, even though a school is probably not the ideal place.

Well that's the short version of my story and I would appreciate any advice you are willing to give.

Claire

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