I'm a 45y/o male with long unknown pulmonary hx.Pulmo wants sweat test for CF done??

Since 2005 I've been admitted to the hospital 26+ times with stays up to 30-days usually 3-5 day stays. Had both lungs collapse due to empyema (Pneumonia in pleural space)had to have thoracotomy on left lung to reinflate and have decortication (remove outside lining of lung)Because of large amount of prednisone use I developed avascular necrosis in 6 joints-all need to be replaced. Have had monthly fevers for about 5yr's that last about 48hr's Pulmo's don't know why and now want to do sweat test for CF at age 45. It just doesn't make sense. I've had every type of biopsy-bronchoscopy-mri-ct-scans pet-scans I think I've had everything known to man. I have never smoked and have had asthma since I'm 19. Never even traveled out of the country. I know I'm reaching but if anybody has any info I would appreciate it. Thanks Beck

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AVASCULAR-NECROSIS (AVN) in 6 joints. HIPS,KNEE'S and SHOULDERS.
Pulmonary @UNC put me in the permanently disabled category due to severe restrictive/obstructive pulmonary disease. SSDI since 2007
MED'S-methadone 45mg's Bid---oxycodone 30mg's Bid--nucynta 100mg-Prn
Pristiq-100mg QD-Xanax 1mg-prn Nexium-40mg

Hi Rjbeck,

I have no experience with CF - just happened across your post. Have you ever considered an infectious disease diagnosis - specifically Lyme disease and it's coinfections? I ask because despite testing being available for Lyme disease it is notoriously inaccurate. It's also a widely misunderstood condition which left untreated can have serious complications in the long term.

I mention this specifically because of your monthly fevers which could indicate an infectious agent which cycles over a monthly period, which Lyme does and your joint involvement - which although you attribute to your use of prednisone - is characteristic of lyme as well. In fact if you were to have such an infection the use of high dose long term steroids is likely to make the condition worse as you suppress your immune system which is attempting to fight the infection you don't know you have!

I got the impression from your post that you have previously been healthy and if you are based in the US you certainly wouldn't need to travel abroad to pick Lyme up as its notoriously associated with the US.

Have you ever been bitten by ticks or had the characteristic bulls eye rash? Do you see improvements in your condition following antibiotic treatment?

Healingwell has a great Lyme board, so if you think it's a possibility why not go and introduce yourself over there.

Just some thoughts,

Hope things improve,

Hugh

Sorry for late response, since my last post I became really sick pulmonary wise. High fevers of 102+ with sob (O2 sats @89%on R/A and extreme pain in my Rt lower lobe and Lt lower lobe to the point I was unable to lay on my rt side.