Anyone else with Churg-Strauss or EPGA?

Posted by roxy1954 @roxy1954, Jan 2, 2021

Is anyone else diagnosed with this disease?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

@roxy1954

Thank you John. I will check it out.

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@roxy1954 Hello. In additions to @johnbishop great ideas, you might also look into American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, AARDA. They have lots of good information. I, too, have an unheard of autoimmune disease, Clippers. There are very few of us around. But we do have a Facebook page for sharing information. You might also check to see if there is a page for Churg-Strauss.
As I have found out, you have to become a researcher, a question-asker, and advocate! And try to establish a good, friendly relationship with your doctor. BTW, what kind of doctor are you seeing?

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@becsbuddy

@roxy1954 Hello. In additions to @johnbishop great ideas, you might also look into American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, AARDA. They have lots of good information. I, too, have an unheard of autoimmune disease, Clippers. There are very few of us around. But we do have a Facebook page for sharing information. You might also check to see if there is a page for Churg-Strauss.
As I have found out, you have to become a researcher, a question-asker, and advocate! And try to establish a good, friendly relationship with your doctor. BTW, what kind of doctor are you seeing?

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Becky, thanks for the note. I see a general PA, a cardiologist, pulmonologist, a urologist, an endocrinologist, a rheumatologist who only deals with arthritis, a geneticist, an ophthalmologist, a kidney man, a hematologist, an oncologist and a few more that I cannot remember their titles right now. And whoever is on at the ER. and the guy who does colonoscopies. And the dentist. And the anesthesiologist. And the dermatologist. And, oh, yes, a shaman and a witch doctor and a faith healer and the tooth fairy. And one more. "Sassy" for my frequent cat scan.😉

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@becsbuddy

@roxy1954 Hello. In additions to @johnbishop great ideas, you might also look into American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, AARDA. They have lots of good information. I, too, have an unheard of autoimmune disease, Clippers. There are very few of us around. But we do have a Facebook page for sharing information. You might also check to see if there is a page for Churg-Strauss.
As I have found out, you have to become a researcher, a question-asker, and advocate! And try to establish a good, friendly relationship with your doctor. BTW, what kind of doctor are you seeing?

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Hi Becky. Thanks for the information. I will check it out. I looked up Clippers because I had never heard of it and I didn't remember seeing it on the list of Auto-immune diseases. It sounds crazy and the facebook support group is a wonderful avenue for you to be able to connect with others that understand. It is hard when your friends and family don't quite understand what is going on. But, it is also hard to explain when you don't have answers yourself. I look fine so I must be fine. I will look into it. I have a team which started with my allergist who then sent me to a pulmonologist, rheumatologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist and cardiologist. I am basically seeing the pulmonologist and rheumatologist most frequently. The others are now for maintenance as this disease can progress to other organs. The Nucala has kept my EOS numbers in check so that is good. I seem to have developed Diabetes, possibly from some of the medications but not sure what the next step is for that. Thank you for the information.

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@oldkarl

Roxy1954.. My treatment plan is simple. My meds and other forms of treatment focus primarily on overall systemic issues such as cardiovascular, Gelsolin, diabetes, pulmonary, encephalopathy, leukemias, pain. EOS is part of a few of these, including Gelsolin. So I take things like Methotrexate, Nitroglycerine, Imdur, levothyroxine, Tylenol, Novolin, aspirin, furosemide, Prazosin, Omeprazole. I also have the genes for both obstructive and central sleep apnea, so I use a BiPAP.. I have hereditary cryosensitive purpura, so I keep my face covered with Gold Bond psoriatic cream with aspirin, or Noxema, or Clobetasol. For excess mucus flow from EOS I use Walmart Mucus Relief tabs. Very cheap, and terrific. I also have an Abbott Glucose Monitor to track my response to diabetes. Right now, my big worry is my legs and belly. The muscular dystrophy is eating away at my muscles, turning them to fat. I walk as much as I can, but this only makes the muscles weaker. My kidneys are failing, I am on the edge of stage 4. My Cardio system is failing, Pulmonary, spleen, liver, adrenals, all failing. I have disappearing white matter encephalopathy in my cerebrum. My wrists and ankles are rapidly becoming just floppy. My eyes have ptosis and purpura, on the eyelids, which hurts terribly at times, so I use the Gold Bond stuff to ease the pain. Well, that is most of the treatment. Oh, yes, my fingers on both hands have Zinc Finger trigger finger, like arthritis.my skin is now involved in macular skin over most of my body. I go from constipation to diarrhea every 3-4 days, then back again. My shoulders, upper back and upper arms are covered with welts from the Fukutin LGMD (FKRP). My teeth and finger/toe nails are breaking up from the Gelsolin. Every valve in my body, from my nasal passages to my esophageal valves to larynx to Barrett's to gall bladder to urinary tract and cardiovascular system are becoming stiff, leatherized and unable to work properly. And I am a survivor of both systemic and localized cancers everywhere. Anyway, occasionally one of my treatments is a dud or a danger, and I have to change something, or have something cut out. If you look at OMIM under Gelsolin and Fukutin and Cardiomyopathy, you will see just how many issues we have to deal with, just to stay alive.

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Well, that does not sound like a simple treatment plan at all. It sounds like you have covered most areas of your body but treatment isn't progressing as hoped. That has to be physically and mentally draining and I am very sorry you are still having all those issues. You will be in my thoughts and prayers and hope that you will find more relief soon. I was reading your response to Becky and it sounds like you have kept your sense of humor. I may want the phone # for your witch doctor.

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@oldkarl

Roxy1954.. My treatment plan is simple. My meds and other forms of treatment focus primarily on overall systemic issues such as cardiovascular, Gelsolin, diabetes, pulmonary, encephalopathy, leukemias, pain. EOS is part of a few of these, including Gelsolin. So I take things like Methotrexate, Nitroglycerine, Imdur, levothyroxine, Tylenol, Novolin, aspirin, furosemide, Prazosin, Omeprazole. I also have the genes for both obstructive and central sleep apnea, so I use a BiPAP.. I have hereditary cryosensitive purpura, so I keep my face covered with Gold Bond psoriatic cream with aspirin, or Noxema, or Clobetasol. For excess mucus flow from EOS I use Walmart Mucus Relief tabs. Very cheap, and terrific. I also have an Abbott Glucose Monitor to track my response to diabetes. Right now, my big worry is my legs and belly. The muscular dystrophy is eating away at my muscles, turning them to fat. I walk as much as I can, but this only makes the muscles weaker. My kidneys are failing, I am on the edge of stage 4. My Cardio system is failing, Pulmonary, spleen, liver, adrenals, all failing. I have disappearing white matter encephalopathy in my cerebrum. My wrists and ankles are rapidly becoming just floppy. My eyes have ptosis and purpura, on the eyelids, which hurts terribly at times, so I use the Gold Bond stuff to ease the pain. Well, that is most of the treatment. Oh, yes, my fingers on both hands have Zinc Finger trigger finger, like arthritis.my skin is now involved in macular skin over most of my body. I go from constipation to diarrhea every 3-4 days, then back again. My shoulders, upper back and upper arms are covered with welts from the Fukutin LGMD (FKRP). My teeth and finger/toe nails are breaking up from the Gelsolin. Every valve in my body, from my nasal passages to my esophageal valves to larynx to Barrett's to gall bladder to urinary tract and cardiovascular system are becoming stiff, leatherized and unable to work properly. And I am a survivor of both systemic and localized cancers everywhere. Anyway, occasionally one of my treatments is a dud or a danger, and I have to change something, or have something cut out. If you look at OMIM under Gelsolin and Fukutin and Cardiomyopathy, you will see just how many issues we have to deal with, just to stay alive.

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My goodness, oldkarl. i'm praying for your comfort and amazed at your knowledge, stamina and strength! Blessings to you! Elizabeth

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@oldkarl

Becky, thanks for the note. I see a general PA, a cardiologist, pulmonologist, a urologist, an endocrinologist, a rheumatologist who only deals with arthritis, a geneticist, an ophthalmologist, a kidney man, a hematologist, an oncologist and a few more that I cannot remember their titles right now. And whoever is on at the ER. and the guy who does colonoscopies. And the dentist. And the anesthesiologist. And the dermatologist. And, oh, yes, a shaman and a witch doctor and a faith healer and the tooth fairy. And one more. "Sassy" for my frequent cat scan.😉

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Great group! You're covering it all! Smart man, oldkarl. Blessings, Elizabeth

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@roxy1954

Thank you John. I do have a care team and have just finished 6 mo of Nucala which has helped a lot and kept me off of Prednisone. They are continuing on for another 6 mo. since it seems to be working on my breathing. They admit that they just don't know alot about Churg Straus and we are figuring it out together. There are many other things that pop up at different times with my body and so I thought I would check with others to see if I can learn anything on my own. I am due for more blood work and maybe CT or XRAYS to check progress there.

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Hi Roxy, i too have been diagnosed with Churg Straus and am on the Nucala regiment as well. It has helped lower my EOS numbers and my breathing treatments have been good lately. Having more blood work and a CT scan this month. I have also been told there is not a lot of information on this. I too, have things that pop up and always wondering if it is part of the CS or something else I should be checking. It is frustrating. I am just going on the thought that as long as my blood work is good and I can breathe, it is a good thing.

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@roxy1954

Hi Becky. Thanks for the information. I will check it out. I looked up Clippers because I had never heard of it and I didn't remember seeing it on the list of Auto-immune diseases. It sounds crazy and the facebook support group is a wonderful avenue for you to be able to connect with others that understand. It is hard when your friends and family don't quite understand what is going on. But, it is also hard to explain when you don't have answers yourself. I look fine so I must be fine. I will look into it. I have a team which started with my allergist who then sent me to a pulmonologist, rheumatologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist and cardiologist. I am basically seeing the pulmonologist and rheumatologist most frequently. The others are now for maintenance as this disease can progress to other organs. The Nucala has kept my EOS numbers in check so that is good. I seem to have developed Diabetes, possibly from some of the medications but not sure what the next step is for that. Thank you for the information.

Jump to this post

This sounds exactly like my story as far as Drs. and medication. I also understand the family not recognizing that even tho I look good I am not always good. I am keeping an eye on my Diabetes, but did someone tell you which medications can cause it?

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@roxy1954

This sounds exactly like my story as far as Drs. and medication. I also understand the family not recognizing that even tho I look good I am not always good. I am keeping an eye on my Diabetes, but did someone tell you which medications can cause it?

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God morning @roxy1954 . It’s been awhile—how are you doing? Not sure what you mean by your statement ‘did someone tell you what medications can cause it?’ What,exactly, are you referring to? Diabetes? Clippers? Churn Strauss?

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@oldkarl

@roxy1954 Yes, Roxy, I have been diagnosed with CS. but no one has suggested any treatment. They all agree that my package of AI stuff is so all-encompassing that it is probably safer to just live as long as I can with these diseases and disorders. I am 80, so I don't have much longer, anyway. I and the docs just try to do the palliative treatments that come up, and not worry about the rest. I have a bucket full of lung, cardiac, nerve and other organ diseases, so I agree, palliative seems the best route. And by far the least expensive. Tylenol, methotrexate, Novolin, Levothyroxine, psoriatic cream, Noxema, Nitro, vitamins,BiPAP, etc, seem the best route for me..

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You mention Noxema. What about Noxema has been helpful?

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