Mycoplasma & Chlamydia Pneumoniae & whatever else...

[andydandy]

Last question you sugg 2nd opinion...daughter, a nurse Columbus, OH showed blood work to pulminoligist friend. Said she had never seen such high numbers in her 15 yrs. MP IGG 1.14:CP IGG 1.64: Total serum 2202 H: Immunoglob A 483 H: Immunoglob G 1198: Immunoglob M 94.  What do you think? June app, my Dr finaly ordered CT of lungs..once had reaction to dye so they are giving me prednisone & Benadryl before..make sense? Also echo cardio to rule out heart because of swollen feet & ankles a few weeks ago. Function tests on 7/5..their earliest time.  Dr. app for results on 7/6..seems like a long time when I am having trouble breathing..ever since off of prednisone. Also wheezing a lot & large red spot under arm(had once before & they took me off Biaxin)& tip of tongue feels numb.  My Dr said depending on tests he might send me to Ohio State University Hosp.  Pulminoligist in Columbus where OSU is located, sends her patients to Cleveland Clinic.  Which is the best for this sort of thing?  No time to waste on wrong hospital! Should I wait on tests or get going?  What is with my Dr waiting so long for tests? It has been 6 months! Thank You

[National Jewish]

The absolute values of 'the numbers' are significant for titers >1:32 but such testing is not specifically diagnostic.  It may be necessary to make what is called a tissue diagnosis, from within your lungs.  With this there are other immunologic techniques that are more specific for Mycoplasma.  Rarely, Mycoplasma can infect the heart or the tissue surrounding it and that could account for your swelling.  But this is all speculation.

You would do well to go to Ohio State University in Columbus or the Cleveland Clinic, rather than waiting for testing to be done weeks from now.  These are both highly rated institutions and either could provide the care and diagnostic acumen you need.  The Cleveland Clinic is especially well known for their treatment of heart disease.  Yours is a complex illness and your doctor's willingness to have you go to one of these institutions is laudable.  You should thank him for his willingness to refer you to these fine institutions.

[andydandy]

A few days ago I had appointment with family internist..showed her blood & sputum test...sputum tests showed candida albicans.  She gave me a prescription for Diflucan .. thinking that could be why I'm having more difficultry breathing and why feet and ankles are swollen.  I once had an allergic reaction to the dye you drink for a cat scan and noticed that Diflucan said "do not take if allergic to dye"  Pharmacist said he did not believe we were talking the same kind of dye but gave me over the counter Benadryl, in case.  I took the pill with trepidation yesterday afternoon...nothing for a couple hours and I was thrilled..maybe the answer!  But then a little later, I realized I could hardly get my breath  ...  just a few steps and great distress trying to get air.  Slept off & on in the chair..just to go to the bath was a nightmare...the same this morning.so called pulminoligist.  His answer, do not take...what to do if this continues?  Take one prednisone daily until the 6th of July when we meet for results of Lung CT & echo & pulmonary function tests...just now doing tests after 6 mos of major antibiotics! Told family internist...she said it could not be the diflucan...continue to take.  I am scared to death to take another one...it is 24hrs since the first one and I am still wheezing and not good although, a wee bit better than this morning.  What should I do?  I feel like I can't trust anyone....  Help....  If what I have been through is Candida and it would help, that would be wonderful...and I guess that is what internist thinks.  So what shall I do?  Can you answer quickly please...