2. Aspergillosis
3. Interviews

frodo33a's interview

How did all start?

I had severe allergic asthma from the age of 2 yr. until it disappeared at age 24. I never got head colds like everyone else; mine always turned into a chest cold needing antibiotics. It always cleared up. In 2004 I moved into an older manufactured home which harbored black mold: in the floor boards (previous owner had covered up with new carpet) and the walls where a leaky roof had been. .

Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?

I was diagnosed with ABPA in 2017. Beginning with a 4 day hospital stay in 2007 (first of 4) where I was diagnosed with COPD I just got worse. Next was emphysema and finally a new Dr. tested for abpa and figured out the asthma had returned. As a child I underwent extensive allergy tests and was put on shots until 1974 when it disappeared. The 2 main triggers back then were mold and housedust.

What have been your biggest difficulties?

Finding the right drugs to control the flare-ups.

What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?

Travel

Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?

Do not ever move into a home that has a mold problem. It is impossible to get rid of and it always keeps growing and spreading.