Do I Have Cystic Fibrosis?
Here is a list of symptoms that I read:
Belly pains
coughing a lot
increased mucus in the sinuses, throat, or lungs
delayed growth
fatigue
recurrent respiratory infections
weight loss or failure to gain weight during childhood
I’m afraid that I have it because I’m always tired (fatigue), I’m one of the shortest people in my class (delayed growth), I cough all the time, and my throat feels slimy, like its covered in mucus. Also, I eat lots of sugar and fat and junk food, so I should be really fat, but I wear a size 8 in pants, and most of my pants are too big. So, I can’t gain weight. Really, I can’t. I also have trouble breathing sometimes, and I’m very susceptible to colds and other respiratory infections, even in the summer. I’m just scared that I have cystic fibrosis, because I heard it results in a shorter lifetime. My next doctor’s appointment is coming up, and I was wondering if I should talk to them about this. Can someone please help me?
Tagged with: Failure • Junk Food • Respiratory Infections
Filed under: Cystic Fibrosis
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Yes, it sounds like you do. But you will need a sweat chloride test to confirm it. And a DNA test to confirm which mutation you have. Don’t panic….CF is not the death sentence it used to be. I am 48 and went for my first 28 years of life w/o being diagnosed. I am not on oxygen nor do I need a wheelchair, as my first pulmonologist told me I would.
There are medications to help manage the symptoms and with good treatment adherence, taking proper vitamins, eating well and basically taking care of yourself you can have a reasonably good life. Knowing all of your allergies to food, medication, and environment will help you get better too since you can learn to avoid the things that cause you problems. No smoking or doing illegal drugs or booze…they only make things much worse. I know all the “fun” thing we are suppose to do as teens and young adults just make CF worse.
Will it be easy all the time. NO! But will you have more good days than bad…well, I hope so. This is a labor intensive disease that requires time and effort to stay healthy. Faith helps too when the potholes of life get in your way.
Talk things over with your doc and parents. Ck with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the nearest treatment center in your area if it is confirmed you have CF. Learning to handle this disease without panic will help you in the long run. Panic and stress just makes it harder to stay well. A good dose of humor is also necessary if only to ***** up the nurses(they will love you forever…it makes it easer for them if you are an even tempered, cooperative cheerful patient). I admit I have my moments and days where I feel rotten and **** having CF, but most of the time I live a fairly normal, if a little adjusted, life.