I think what I would do first is just ask my general physician to do a simple
sweat test. Given the symptoms I don't see why he wouldn't order one. Or try a
pulmonologist, they will definitely order the test. Once you find out if your
positive or negative, you can seek out a specialist. My docs love to order
tests, but you'll need one to know for sure. Lisa 43wcf
----- Original Message -----
From: pjduncan
To: cysticfibrosissupport@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 7:03 PM
Subject: [Cystic Fibrosis Support] Request for info on adult onset CF


I would appreciate comments from anybody with knowledge about adult
onset (or adult diagnosed) CF. I'm a 37 year old male. For a full
year now I've had several symptoms that have yet to have a specific
diagnosis. A year ago I went to a doctor with both abdominal pain
and chest discomfort/pain. It was the first time I had been to him
and was confronted with one of those forms to list all
diseases/symptoms that one suffers from. On that form I included
many things which were either intermittent or ongoing problems such
as sinusitis, fatigue, sleep problems and digestive dysfunction. I
guess I appear too healthy because he was very dismissive and said he
couldn't think of a single thing that might lead to such a wide
variety of symptoms and then subjected me to a psychological
questionnaire. After this wonderful encounter I ignored the symptoms
for about 6 months before the feelings of chest pain got worse.
Using a new doctor I've now had chest X-Ray, Chest CT with some sort
of injection, heart stress test, TB test and asthma evaluation. All
of these were negative or normal. Every time I have a day where the
pain is most noticeable I tend to do a bit of poking around the
internet to see if I can find some leads. This time I ran across
references to adult onset CF. So here's the question. With the
below listed symptoms/history is it possible that I could have a
variant of CF that's gone undiagnosed to age 37? and if so is there
a doctor in S. Cal that might have experience with adult onset CF,
such that they wouldn't simply write hypochondriac in my chart?

1 year history of intermittent chest discomfort/pain. Slight pain
usually occurs with laughing, yawning, coughing or deep breaths.
Sometimes I tend to cough but rarely is anything coughed up. In
general breathing seems a bit more difficult than in the past.

I have fairly bad sinusitis with congestion and post nasal drip.
Pulmonologist that ruled out asthma seems to think chest pain is
secondary symptom of sinus problems. I went to an allergist years
ago that said the only thing I'm allergic to is dust mites. My
sinusitis problems seem to occur even when in environments presumably
relatively free of dust mites.

I have had surgery for nasal polyps 6-8 years ago. I understand
polyps are potentially correlated with CF.

I had a gallstone at age 25. This is very rare in skinny, young men
which is why it went misdiagnosed for a full year. I now understand
that this is also correlated with CF.

I have had intermittent digestive problems for a number of years.
Also, for a long time I have noticed that stools often are covered
with thick mucus.

I have had lower abdominal pain that is hard to pinpoint and doesn't
seem to feel like intestinal pain/cramping.

I've had several urinary tract infections (rare in guys my age) and
was told I had a slightly enlarged prostate by urologist.

I have Hashimoto's syndrome thyroid disease. I take synthroid and my
levels are normal.

Despite having drug controlled normal thyroid levels, I have now
started to feel fatigued on a regular basis.

Sometimes I seem to be heat sensitive, feeling hotter and sweating
more than would seem appropriate for ambient temperature.


Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT





------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cysticfibrosissupport/

b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
cysticfibrosissupport-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]