JOHN:
I was diagnosed in early 2000. My Doctors think I was exposed as far back as 1998, when reviewing some old chest X-Rays.
Back in 1998 & 1999, it appeared that I had chronic Bronchitis. I thought it was unusual. I always took good care of myself, never
smoked, and was a local High School Track star back in the mid & late 80's. My ignorant Family Doctor didn't even have the sense to
refer me to a specialist. The antibiotics were a quick fix at that stage, I was also a single father, and I couldn't really afford to miss
much work back then.
Back in 1999, I decided to take my daughter to Disney World around Thanksgiving time. I ended up getting very sick. So sick, that I
cracked a rib, due to coughing so hard. My family Doctor wasn't much help. I even had to request a chest X-ray, because I thought I
may of had Pneumonia.
To make a long story short, after months of being sick, shortness of breath and severe wheezing, I ended up going to a Specialist.
Within minutes of my examination, the Specialist suspected an object blocking my air way. Possibly Histoplasmosis. After the results
of the blood test and a broncosophy, it was confirmed.
The Pulmonary Specialist referred me to Cleveland Metro, where I saw a Surgeon and a Infectious disease Doctor.
They discussed my case at their monthly or weekly Round table. Of course the Surgeons wanted to cut me open. I didn't let that
happen. I went with the Infectious disease doctors recommendation - Prednisone & Sporonox. It was on that Prednisone off & on for
years. At first, I was on it almost a year straight with a small break from time to time. I was on Sporonox up until a year ago.
Then something good happened to me. My Pulmanary Doctor refered me to the Cleveland Clinc. My left air way was 99% shut. My right
air way was 70% shut.
Since May 2006, I recieved several Laser Bronchosphy's. They Laser out the scar tissue and stretch the air way out. The bad part....the
scaring always comes back.
These proceedures help me for a month or two, and then its time for another one. But, man....it feels so good to breath again!
I've had some ups & downs since May. I thought since it took 7 or 8 years to almost shut down my left lung, that maybe it would take
another 7 years for it to close again. But, it grows back quickly. A thin (paper width) tissue closed my left lung, and my lung colapsed.
Thats a whole other story.
A few months ago, I had a Stint placed in. I am breathing pretty good! My Doctors theory is that if he leaves the Stint in for an expanded
period of time, that the scar tissue will for around the stint, and then when he removes the stint, the scar tissue will act as a "cast".
That maybe the progression of FM will slow down.