Group: Patients and general interest
Description:
A patient interview. This patient RW- with long term chronic pulmonary aspergillosis describes his experiences over 18 years during which he has taken various antifungal treatments. He remains well and currently takes itraconazole. A synopsis is shown below. This patient underwent a lung resection in 1991 for a suspect lesion in his lung, histology revealed inflammation and an area containing fungal hyphae consistent with a fungal ball. Resection appeared to cure the problem. However in 1992 he re-presented with a large new cavity near the site of the surgery and a probable fungal ball seen on X ray. A bronchoscopy sample grew aspergillus and his blood tests were positive for aspergillus precipitins. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed. Antifungal treatment on itraconazole was started and much improvement was seen. During the next few years the patient tried voriconazole (as a trial drug) – on which he experienced a red facial rash; IV amphotericin – which improved his condition markedly. Itraconazole treatment was then restarted and the patient has been largely stable on this antifungal drug over the last 13 years. On the occasions he has stopped the drug – he has relapsed and it has taken some months before he was again stable. The patient is currently in good health (11/09). We would like to thank the patient for agreeing to share his experiences.
Medical and Patient education videos
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Title
Description
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European Respiratory Society: Current thinking regarding the importance of nutritional science in the management and prevention of COPD.
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European Respiratory Society: Should we be testing new drugs in the ‘real’ world where some patients smoke, are obese and have other comorbidities?
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European Respiratory Society: A revolutionary collaborative approach to research funding is providing new insights into the origins of chronic respiratory diseases.
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European Respiratory Society: Clean air is vitally important for people who live with aspergillosis. Chemical pollutants have the capacity to worsen symptoms and quality of life, PM2.5 particulates (mentioned in this video) include aspergillus and other fungal spores.
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European Respiratory Society launches its latest vision to support those with respiratory health difficulties throughout europe: encouraging patients to increase their levels of activity which is proven to improve lung health.
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Stewart Armstrong inspiring many people to do ‘Push-ups for aspergillosis’ to raise awareness and funds for aspergillosis research.
Facebook page (November 2015)
Also see the compelling video of Stewarts’ story as told by himself
