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Lung Infection

Hello
I was wondering if anyone has any experience of being diagnosed with a fungal lung infection whilst having treatment for CML?
I was diagnosed with pleural effusion recently so came off Dasatinib and had a chest x ray and a small amount of fluid drained for testing. The results of the fluid test were that I have aspergillosis (fungus in the lungs) which it seems is quite rare in people who are not more immuno suppressed. The course of tablets is horrible and I can't go back on Dasatinib until after it is all cleared up.
Any advice or knowledge out there?
Many thanks
K

hi Karena,
I am sorry to hear this- you are right it is quite rare and only usually seen in patients such as those going through transplant or heavy duty chemotherapy. Do keep taking the anti-fungal treatment- is is very important that you get rid of this fungal infection.
In a way- if it was already there? then you are fortunate to have found out. Maybe that is why you developed pleural effusion? Not that I am expert - just guessing.

I am not sure what to suggest to counter the effects of the anti-fungal treatment- other than to drink lots of water! I am sorry you have to deal with this it must be horrible.. all I can say is focus on the day when you can stop treatment and the infection is gone.
BW
Sandy

Hi Karena
No real knowledge of this really, just wanted to say hope you start feeling better soon. I do remember when I started on Dasatinib that pleural effusion was one of the possible side-effects they highlighted, but whether there is any connection between that, the drug and the infection in your case, or whether it's just a random thing, I wouldn't know - have they given you any idea?
Anyway, best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope you don't get too low in the meantime.

Hi Karena,
So sorry to hear you have this horrible complication, don't spose you do a lot of gardening do you? I only ask because a friend of mine was diagnosed with this and, although she was immuno-compromised, she has worked for many years as a gardener, scrabbling around under shrubs etc and handling a great deal of compost!
It could well be that it was a pre-existing condition, as was hers, that only came to light because of other problems.
Keep yer pecker up, I gather the treatment is quite unpleasant, but will be good when it's cleared up hey!
ATB
Vickie

Thank you for all the comments - went back to the hospital on Friday after a week of the most awful side effects from the drugs (although on the plus side i did lose 9lbs!) to be told they think they made a mistake and to stop taking the drugs - bless them!
Have been told to go back on the Dasatanib and take it with water tablets to try and stop the plural effusion (which he is convinced will happen again) so we wait to see.
Last BCR showed yet anoither small rise to 2.9 so i am not too hopeful that this is the right drug for me but we'll give it another go - fun isn't it?!
K