I had the bronchoscopy "lung wash" done while in the hospital. It is done strictly for diagnostic purposes. but because they are "washing" the entire lungs it does get out all the gunk in there, thus it helps breathing too. At least it did for me.
It is not something I would recommend for kicks and giggles though. It was NOT hard to do. It was a little of a challenge, but if a doctor said they recommend it, I would not hesitate to have it again. One reason is because it did rinse out alll that stuuf that they are biopsing, it gave me some relief, by getting the so called"trash" atttached to the walls, etc.
Here is the "odd" part...When one of the doctors was going over the "rountine" observations that was just a prilimanary look see, he was running off some of the stuff that was seen..Of course, he said they 'saw no sign if infectiong in any of this new stuff going of" which kinda left them scratching their heads, although maybe all the antibiotics and the increase in steroids that they started in the ER, could ha ve already zapped the infection.
The odd findings, that they are doing further testing on, is that they found "MOLD" in my lungs????
Has anyone ever had that found in their LUNGS? He called them rare, as in the fact that there were not that many, but in fact, they had found MOLD!! I will have to wait till at least the next appointment with "MY" actual pulmonologist, to find out any news on anything.
Just hoping that somebody has at least heard of this, so that I Could ask a few questions, Or at least not feel like a total weirdo anymore than I feel already!
Also, wanted you all to know that with the adcancement and the new increase in the chemo, already witht the lovely side effects of the Predisone. It is really pulling me down and you may not see me here posting, but I am here reading.
love you guys and hoping somebody knows something about mold in lungs?? haha leave it to me!??
off to google it now <3,<3, <3 ~sass~
Ya know, Im not surprised. I have chronic systemic yeast, always had it but it got increasingly worse when I had my hysterectomy and threw my hormones into a tizzy, then adding more daily steriods.and my primary immune deficiency..equals to more yeast,,,,,Ive had to be hospitalized when it got into my esophagus and was really bad. Ive been on diflucan for a few years now..daily 100mg, I stay away
from most sugars, etc...on the top probiotics, etc..even went to a special yeast clinic in Seattle years ago.blah, blah, blah.....
You also have to be careful of your environment..that its not causing the mold either?
Anyways, I hope they are treating you aggressively...this is not something to take lightly..if they do, find another doctor etc.
Its serious...Im sure alot of others have severe candida, mold, yeast issues and can make you feel super ill and causing more dryness, adding
to our SS symptoms. I know when I got extremely ill a few years ago and was in the hospital, the first thing I noticed was a mouth filled with thrush really bad....doc said it was in my entire tummy, GI tract, etc..been a battle..anyways, hope you get some answers and feel better soon!
Gursie
Dear Sass,
I am so pleased you got some relief from the Lung wash, although it does sound like it would be an uncomfortable procedure.
Sass, you are not crazy, my mother in law had a disease called Aspergillosis, which was a mould in her lungs. I don't know too much about it, but she was on Bactrim for years.
Aussie Mum
Hi (((Sass))) this is all new to me, but I do want to say I am sorry you are not feeling so well.
I will keep you in my thoughts and keep thinking good things for you!
I am trying still to deal with computer issues, so I check in when I can.
I hope you find out about this mold soon....Hmmmm.....I wonder if being exposed to mold creates this somehow?
My best to you!!
EllaBlue
Hi
I am allergic to mold. Seriously allergic. I found out when hurricane Charley blew threw my mouse and warehouse. the warehouse developed mold and the landlord would do nothing. I got very sick but no one could figure out why for months. It turned out to be the mold. Caused terrible lung problems, my lungs were gurgling cardia issues and severe weakness. Hope you feel better soon! Many HUGS and prayers!!!
Gayle
ps... now I get it...
Hi Sass! Glad you are back in your own bed. Yes, the woman who helped raise me whom I think of as my adopted grandma had either mold or fungus in her lungs - I don't remember details. It gave her a lot of problems but she is still kicking at 90 so it is probably controllable. She always said that she was thankful that she had learned how to breathe deeply as a singer, that that had saved her life. I hope that you are encouraged and that the docs get it right the first time. At least they have the actual stuff on hand so they know exactly what it is and how to knock it out!
((((hugs)))))
okay, I feel some relief that someone else has heard of this. When the doctor said some mold in your lungs, it really caught me offguard. I guess I was thinking, now here is one more thing! How much more can I take and not just totally loose it. But having someone to ask is such a help and do not know where else to go to with some of these real issues that seem to knock your feet out from under you.
Thanks!
And Gayle, i hope you meant house, not mouse! lol either way that was terrible. It makes me wonder about aplace I worked for 9 years that had rodents everywhere...hmmm ~sass~
I am surprised that the doc thought it was odd to find mold in your lungs. There are other diseases out there that are precipitated by mold and fungi. Some of them are very serious and take a long time to cure with treatment.
I think it is really good that you had that lung washing cause they found it before it multiplied. Mold spreads by spores and is such a hard thing to deal with. Thankfully, most people don't get mold. Then there are the people with AID who get just about everything there is at one time or another. Good luck. HOpe they identify the type of mold cause there are many. Rest and drink plenty of fluids!!! IRish
With everything being so dry in us, its no wonder we get mold and fungal infections, I have aspergilis again, cultured from the sinus, pseudoma again,, gram negative rods again, and MRSA again, fungus is in the enviroment, there is nothing we can do to not be exposed to it, other then lck yourself in a room witht he best HEPA filter you can buy, I have been on IV antiniotics for some of this stuff and IV fungal medicine, cant remember the name of it.
If you can get your doctor to do it, have him run the blood work on your immune system, not the total, but each one,, Igg1 through 4,, I am deficient in 2 and 3, which lead to IVIG, and then the battles with insurance that left me without it. so its back to chronic infections. glad you got rid of the crud,, wish everything were that easy,
I think it all stems from the lack of moisture in our bodies, helping to clear the bad stuff away, that is why us SS people have
such issues with our mouths, teeth, sinuses (especially) every mucous membrane.
Gursie
I did a paper on this in Nursing School. My dad had a lung wash and mold was found in his lungs, secondary to Emphazima. His breath smelled fruity all of the time. Following is one of the sites I visited for research. I was very suprised what I found.
Some fungi grow as molds, while others exist in two forms, or dimorphic---either as molds or budding yeast. Fungi can cause pneumonia in healthy people who travel to endemic areas in the United States or Central America; they can also cause rapidly fatal pneumonia in immunocompromised patients recovering from chemotherapy, or HIV-infected patients with advanced disease.
Invasive Aspergillosis
According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," Aspergillus fumigatus commonly invades lung tissue of acute leukemia and bone marrow transplant patients. Ninety percent of immunocompromised patients who develop invasive aspergillosis have two of the following three parameters: granulocyte counts < 500/microliter, treatment with high dose steroids and treatment with cyclosporine. Infection in immunocompromised patients occurs from a break in the skin or through the upper airways. Exposure to environmental sources of Aspergillus commonly occurs at construction sites.
Lung Cancer Signs Symptom The symptoms will surprise you. Find out if you are at risk now. www.lung-cancer.advice-live.net
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Pneumocystis
Pneumocystis carinii, renamed P. jiroveci, is an opportunistic fungus that causes pneumonia in HIV-infected patients, or other immunocompromised patients. Pneumocystis has a worldwide distribution.
Histoplasmosis
The fungus Histoplasma capsulatum commonly occurs in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. Outbreaks of histoplasmosis have occurred in college students on spring break in Mexico and in cave explorers in Costa Rica, according to the "American College of Physicians Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program." Infection occurs by inhalation of the fungus.
Blastomycosis
Blastomyces dermatitidis, an endemic fungus, occurs in the southeastern, central and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Infection occurs by inhalation of the fungus from soil, or rotting wood.
Coccidioidomycosis
The endemic fungus Coccidioides immitis commonly occurs in California, Arizona and western Texas, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Outbreaks of coccidioidomycosis have occurred in people building churches in Central America, or participating in archeological digs in Utah, according to the "American College of Physicians Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program." Infection in humans occurs by inhalation of the fungus from soil.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/199117-what-causes-fungus-in-the-lungs/#ixzz25QxIVBR7
Kinda deep but it is everywhere in the environment. We are predisposed to so much from SjS effects on our bodies.
Okay...wow! Jackie you did quite an extensive research. Thank You for all the info, it will take me a while to get thru it, but I do intend to read it.
Irish, I don't think the doctor was as surprised as we were. He had already listed off a grocery list full of other things growing in my lungs, fungi and mold being just two he mentioned, and I think Craig and I just was kinda, okay.here is something else, when he said they found some rare mold...maybe we assumed rare was a few and he meant "rare", lol and that was why he was more pointed on it. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
I know all the SJS stuff along with me now having no immune system, it has been totally wiped out, I am up for anything that comes along, but I will keep on doing as much as my back and my lungs will allow...pretty much very limited at this time. Lost 5 lbs since I got home. And yes, my own latex, adjustable bed with massage is so sweet to be in while I heal..The benefit of a discount from being a top sales leader and manager in furniture!
Off, i go to read.....~sass~
ROFL! Yes, house.. that is what happens when you write before having coffee... :)
Feel better!
Hugs and prayers!
Gayle