Aspergillus?

M

MCGrad2006

Guest
I was informed upon being admitted that I now culture Aspergillus. They were going to treat with IV anti-fungal, but switched to something oral (of course, have not gotten it yet). I know nothing about aspergillus...except that it is a mold.

Is this something that goes away? If I have it in a culture, does that mean I am allergic? Isn't there somewhere that just because you culture it, does not mean you have it that bad?? I am so confused and of course my doctor did not come in today and it seems like no one on the floor can help me. Where would I have picked this up (getting a new roof b/c of mold at my rents house or new apartment)? How long does it take to show up in a culture?

I was thinking I could have had the fungal infection when people were talking about it on here recently. Do you all remember that? Maybe the aspergillus explains those symptoms (although, I can't remember them at the moment).

I will certainly update you as a I learn more, but would appreciate your comments as well. Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">
 
M

MCGrad2006

Guest
I was informed upon being admitted that I now culture Aspergillus. They were going to treat with IV anti-fungal, but switched to something oral (of course, have not gotten it yet). I know nothing about aspergillus...except that it is a mold.

Is this something that goes away? If I have it in a culture, does that mean I am allergic? Isn't there somewhere that just because you culture it, does not mean you have it that bad?? I am so confused and of course my doctor did not come in today and it seems like no one on the floor can help me. Where would I have picked this up (getting a new roof b/c of mold at my rents house or new apartment)? How long does it take to show up in a culture?

I was thinking I could have had the fungal infection when people were talking about it on here recently. Do you all remember that? Maybe the aspergillus explains those symptoms (although, I can't remember them at the moment).

I will certainly update you as a I learn more, but would appreciate your comments as well. Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">
 
M

MCGrad2006

Guest
I was informed upon being admitted that I now culture Aspergillus. They were going to treat with IV anti-fungal, but switched to something oral (of course, have not gotten it yet). I know nothing about aspergillus...except that it is a mold.
<br />
<br />Is this something that goes away? If I have it in a culture, does that mean I am allergic? Isn't there somewhere that just because you culture it, does not mean you have it that bad?? I am so confused and of course my doctor did not come in today and it seems like no one on the floor can help me. Where would I have picked this up (getting a new roof b/c of mold at my rents house or new apartment)? How long does it take to show up in a culture?
<br />
<br />I was thinking I could have had the fungal infection when people were talking about it on here recently. Do you all remember that? Maybe the aspergillus explains those symptoms (although, I can't remember them at the moment).
<br />
<br />I will certainly update you as a I learn more, but would appreciate your comments as well. Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">
 
T

TonyaH

Guest
Hi Caitlin,
Culturing aspergillus does not necessarily mean you have an allergy to it. I would assume they are running the bloodwork to test your IgE level. This will determine whether or not you have Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis or ABPA.

The aspergillus mold itself is not all that damaging. It does not deteriorate lung tissue so without an allergy to it and as long as you remain asymptomatic, it is often not even treated. It sounds like you are showing the signs of having the allergy to it, thus the treatment with antifungals.

Antifungals can be very hard on other organs, so be careful.

Andrew's ABPA is treated with prednisone. We have not used antifungals yet. It think our doctor is 'keeping them in her back pocket' for later use.

I hope this helps a little! Feel better soon!
 
T

TonyaH

Guest
Hi Caitlin,
Culturing aspergillus does not necessarily mean you have an allergy to it. I would assume they are running the bloodwork to test your IgE level. This will determine whether or not you have Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis or ABPA.

The aspergillus mold itself is not all that damaging. It does not deteriorate lung tissue so without an allergy to it and as long as you remain asymptomatic, it is often not even treated. It sounds like you are showing the signs of having the allergy to it, thus the treatment with antifungals.

Antifungals can be very hard on other organs, so be careful.

Andrew's ABPA is treated with prednisone. We have not used antifungals yet. It think our doctor is 'keeping them in her back pocket' for later use.

I hope this helps a little! Feel better soon!
 
T

TonyaH

Guest
Hi Caitlin,
<br />Culturing aspergillus does not necessarily mean you have an allergy to it. I would assume they are running the bloodwork to test your IgE level. This will determine whether or not you have Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis or ABPA.
<br />
<br />The aspergillus mold itself is not all that damaging. It does not deteriorate lung tissue so without an allergy to it and as long as you remain asymptomatic, it is often not even treated. It sounds like you are showing the signs of having the allergy to it, thus the treatment with antifungals.
<br />
<br />Antifungals can be very hard on other organs, so be careful.
<br />
<br />Andrew's ABPA is treated with prednisone. We have not used antifungals yet. It think our doctor is 'keeping them in her back pocket' for later use.
<br />
<br />I hope this helps a little! Feel better soon!
 
L

LouLou

New member
Tonya explained just about everything to do with it. All I can add, and to give a shout out to Diane (miss you!) since this was her greatest demon she dealt with an aspergilllus fungus ball. So it is possible for the fungus to wreck havoc in that manner too. For this reason, many doctors like to do CT scans of the lungs every 2-3 years b/c it's the best way to keep an eye on fungus and ball presence.

Also, wanted to mention more and more people are doing Xolair injections to shut off their IgE response to the aspergillus. So that is something you might want to research. I managed to get it covered by my insurance despite not having ABPA OR ASTHMA which is quite unheard of. I wanted to give it a try as my IgE levels are slightly elevated and I wondered if Xolair would reduce my inflammation. As it turns out I don't think I have much of any inflammation. I thought maybe I did just because of infection levels not because I was wheezing or anything. It hasn't done much for me and I've been on it 5 months now. I'm going to do for 6 months and then stop I think and see if I feel any worse off for not taking it. It has a risk of increased malignancy and my cf doc is not thrilled I'm on it I don't think. I got on it through my allergist.

The IV antifungals have SERIOUS side effects is my understanding.
 
L

LouLou

New member
Tonya explained just about everything to do with it. All I can add, and to give a shout out to Diane (miss you!) since this was her greatest demon she dealt with an aspergilllus fungus ball. So it is possible for the fungus to wreck havoc in that manner too. For this reason, many doctors like to do CT scans of the lungs every 2-3 years b/c it's the best way to keep an eye on fungus and ball presence.

Also, wanted to mention more and more people are doing Xolair injections to shut off their IgE response to the aspergillus. So that is something you might want to research. I managed to get it covered by my insurance despite not having ABPA OR ASTHMA which is quite unheard of. I wanted to give it a try as my IgE levels are slightly elevated and I wondered if Xolair would reduce my inflammation. As it turns out I don't think I have much of any inflammation. I thought maybe I did just because of infection levels not because I was wheezing or anything. It hasn't done much for me and I've been on it 5 months now. I'm going to do for 6 months and then stop I think and see if I feel any worse off for not taking it. It has a risk of increased malignancy and my cf doc is not thrilled I'm on it I don't think. I got on it through my allergist.

The IV antifungals have SERIOUS side effects is my understanding.
 
L

LouLou

New member
Tonya explained just about everything to do with it. All I can add, and to give a shout out to Diane (miss you!) since this was her greatest demon she dealt with an aspergilllus fungus ball. So it is possible for the fungus to wreck havoc in that manner too. For this reason, many doctors like to do CT scans of the lungs every 2-3 years b/c it's the best way to keep an eye on fungus and ball presence.
<br />
<br />Also, wanted to mention more and more people are doing Xolair injections to shut off their IgE response to the aspergillus. So that is something you might want to research. I managed to get it covered by my insurance despite not having ABPA OR ASTHMA which is quite unheard of. I wanted to give it a try as my IgE levels are slightly elevated and I wondered if Xolair would reduce my inflammation. As it turns out I don't think I have much of any inflammation. I thought maybe I did just because of infection levels not because I was wheezing or anything. It hasn't done much for me and I've been on it 5 months now. I'm going to do for 6 months and then stop I think and see if I feel any worse off for not taking it. It has a risk of increased malignancy and my cf doc is not thrilled I'm on it I don't think. I got on it through my allergist.
<br />
<br />The IV antifungals have SERIOUS side effects is my understanding.
 
K

KLeigh

New member
Hey Caitlin-
I have APBA & use oral antifungals "as needed" (itraconazole) & prednisone as well to keep the aspergillus at bay. I haven't had any side effects due to the itraconazole. My cf doctor & allergist also recommended getting on the Xolair shots. But my insurance did not approve it & i am still in the process of getting that done. Don't be worried too much about this. Your doctor will know what's best to keep you healthy! OH & chances are you didn't get this mold from one specific place... from my understanding told from my CF doctor, aspergillus is EVERYWHERE, it's in the air. we are just susceptible to grow it in our lungs because of our CF. Feel free to PM me if you have questions!
 
K

KLeigh

New member
Hey Caitlin-
I have APBA & use oral antifungals "as needed" (itraconazole) & prednisone as well to keep the aspergillus at bay. I haven't had any side effects due to the itraconazole. My cf doctor & allergist also recommended getting on the Xolair shots. But my insurance did not approve it & i am still in the process of getting that done. Don't be worried too much about this. Your doctor will know what's best to keep you healthy! OH & chances are you didn't get this mold from one specific place... from my understanding told from my CF doctor, aspergillus is EVERYWHERE, it's in the air. we are just susceptible to grow it in our lungs because of our CF. Feel free to PM me if you have questions!
 
K

KLeigh

New member
Hey Caitlin-
<br />I have APBA & use oral antifungals "as needed" (itraconazole) & prednisone as well to keep the aspergillus at bay. I haven't had any side effects due to the itraconazole. My cf doctor & allergist also recommended getting on the Xolair shots. But my insurance did not approve it & i am still in the process of getting that done. Don't be worried too much about this. Your doctor will know what's best to keep you healthy! OH & chances are you didn't get this mold from one specific place... from my understanding told from my CF doctor, aspergillus is EVERYWHERE, it's in the air. we are just susceptible to grow it in our lungs because of our CF. Feel free to PM me if you have questions!
 
C

carmick

New member
I've cultured aspergillus a few times. I don't have ABPA so they generally don't treat it unless I'm exacerbating, and then it's always along with treatment for staph. When they do treat it, I do a course of Vfend (voriconazole). I've been taking it for the better part of a year now to treat a wangiella infection (another type of mold) and it's been fine once my body adapted to it. There were a few days of not being able to see well when they upped my dose and major sun sensitivity, but that's about it. I never had a problem with it when I was on short term. The major problem is that it is really expensive. Insurance kinda balked initially but they're putting up with it.

As far as IV antifungals go, they can cause a bunch of very serious side effects. My doc refused to let me do home ivs because it can takes hospital-level interventions to control the side effects and monitor your organs. But if you're already in the hospital and being closely watched....I dunno, statistically they are as effective as voraconazale and personally I wouldn't want to take the risk . I would be wary about them if you have other options. But if they already switched you to orals I guess this is a non-issue.

Really though, no reason to worry, especially if you aren't allergic to that pesky aspergillus .
 
C

carmick

New member
I've cultured aspergillus a few times. I don't have ABPA so they generally don't treat it unless I'm exacerbating, and then it's always along with treatment for staph. When they do treat it, I do a course of Vfend (voriconazole). I've been taking it for the better part of a year now to treat a wangiella infection (another type of mold) and it's been fine once my body adapted to it. There were a few days of not being able to see well when they upped my dose and major sun sensitivity, but that's about it. I never had a problem with it when I was on short term. The major problem is that it is really expensive. Insurance kinda balked initially but they're putting up with it.

As far as IV antifungals go, they can cause a bunch of very serious side effects. My doc refused to let me do home ivs because it can takes hospital-level interventions to control the side effects and monitor your organs. But if you're already in the hospital and being closely watched....I dunno, statistically they are as effective as voraconazale and personally I wouldn't want to take the risk . I would be wary about them if you have other options. But if they already switched you to orals I guess this is a non-issue.

Really though, no reason to worry, especially if you aren't allergic to that pesky aspergillus .
 
C

carmick

New member
I've cultured aspergillus a few times. I don't have ABPA so they generally don't treat it unless I'm exacerbating, and then it's always along with treatment for staph. When they do treat it, I do a course of Vfend (voriconazole). I've been taking it for the better part of a year now to treat a wangiella infection (another type of mold) and it's been fine once my body adapted to it. There were a few days of not being able to see well when they upped my dose and major sun sensitivity, but that's about it. I never had a problem with it when I was on short term. The major problem is that it is really expensive. Insurance kinda balked initially but they're putting up with it.
<br />
<br />As far as IV antifungals go, they can cause a bunch of very serious side effects. My doc refused to let me do home ivs because it can takes hospital-level interventions to control the side effects and monitor your organs. But if you're already in the hospital and being closely watched....I dunno, statistically they are as effective as voraconazale and personally I wouldn't want to take the risk . I would be wary about them if you have other options. But if they already switched you to orals I guess this is a non-issue.
<br />
<br />Really though, no reason to worry, especially if you aren't allergic to that pesky aspergillus .
 
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