I'M SCARED!... Aspergillus Fumigatus?

[ClockworkOrange]

Bit of an update.

Well, 2 weeks into taking the medication and some of the odd feelings have more or less gone, the worst thing was the awful lethargy. Oh yes, and I have got my hot flushes back again......aaaaaaaargh! I have also been given Alendronic Acid (bone protector) which I only take once a week and a supplement of vitamin D3.

No idea about the side effects, if I am to be on them for a year, not sure how it will go, maybe riding my bike lots, will help me?

After hours of searching the internet for straightforward information, I came across a superb Forum, http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/AspergillusSupport/

At least this explains it in simple terms.

"Unfortunately, as of right now, Aspergillus disease, also called Allergic Broncho Pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) is for ever. There is no cure. What it ends up is a big allergy to Aspergillus and yet the Aspergillus itself has the ability to grow inside your lungs, so you end up allergic to yourself!

The only way to handle it is to keep your lungs as dry as possible so that the Aspergillus won't grow. Some people can have one episode and then go for a long time without having a flare up. Others have flare ups often. A lot of us on this site take Soprano (itraconazole) and will continue to take it for life.

You can try to build up your immunity, etc. but how to make yourself not react to Aspergillus is a problem and it appears once your body no longer defends itself against the Aspergillus it encounters, it is unable to do so ever and also the drug treatment does not necessarily kill of all the Aspergillus in your system but rather works to stop it from taking up nutrients, thereby starving it. But Aspergillus spores, instead of then dying, sometimes just go dormant until it feels the conditions are right and then it just starts growing again.

So that is why a lot of us know we will be taking an antifungal for life.

HEY, I'M SORRY BUT...........two fingers up to it, it's not going to stop me riding my bike!!!

I have started pushing myself to ride each day, one week on and I have some how managed to reach 8 miles. THAT'S what is going to keep me going, jumping on my faithful old Orange! I know it is not much but I am aiming to do an extra mile each day.

Clock