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Anyone else with Churg-Strauss or EPGA?

Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: May 5 12:07am | Replies (47)

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@redhead1115

I was diagnosed with EGPA in July 2024, but had the first symptoms of the disease in July 2021. The onset began with violent coughing, wheezing, extreme sneezing, nasal discharge, and rash. At first, my doctor thought it was just pneumonia, asthma, and sinusitis. The rash was the big tell, as was the nasal polyps. I had sinus surgery to remove the polyps in August 2023. Because of the extended use of prednisone, I got prednisone psychosis at the time. During a chest CT, they also found cysts in the pericardial sack of my heart. I had a surgery to remove them, which was successful. I have tried several biologics including Xolair, Dupixent, Nucala, and Fasenra. I live in Southern California, Ventura County, and it is really hard to find doctors that know anything about EGPA. I feel my best on prednisone, but because of the previously mentioned psychosis, they are reluctant to give it to me. I tend to notice when I relapse because of sneezing and skin involvement. It was a biopsy of a rash that got me my full diagnosis. I have always been ANCA negative. When I lapse, my eosinophil counts can be in the 1000s. I am currently 46 years old. Because of the medication, I have bouts with fatigue. I have some strange symptoms. My right eye is so itchy, I feel like I could itch it out of my eyeball socket. My vision is deteriorating. My right upper foot pad is incredibly itchy ?might be vasculitis?. I have an almost constant stridor. I have a bubbling sensation in my heart of my left chest area. It is like sharp stabbing pains at times. My skin has a course texture that is new. I feel like I always have loose stools. Acid reflux is common. My bladder is completely shot. Because of the prednisone, I have experienced hair thinning and extreme teeth cold sensitivity. It would be nice to find a community. Please let me know if you share any of the similar symptoms.

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Replies to "I was diagnosed with EGPA in July 2024, but had the first symptoms of the disease..."

@redhead1115 That’s quite a symptom list! But, WELCOME to Mayo Clinic Connect!! And you say that i’s very difficult to find a doctor who knows autoimmune systems. Most of this was not taught in med school because the disorders were rare and doctors might see only one in their career. The best way to find a doctor who knows of AI diseases is to contact major medical centers or university medical centers. This is what my husband had to do when I was so sick. I think he actually made cold calls just looking for help. He finally found that the neurology department of U of Colorado. Our 1st visit was at 8 am and the hospital was an hour away on a good day. I was already in our local hospital, so my husband and sister packed my up and we drove to Denver at 6 am on a cold February morning. I’m sure that California has some great teaching hospitals!
Do you think you could try this?