Asthma question

[splotchy1]

I know this forum is for chicken diseases, etc...but not sure where else to post this:
On July 4th weekend, I got a flu for a couple of days...turned into 8 weeks of severe coughing that cracked a rib. Doctors said bronchitis. Here I am 11 weeks later and have a constand slight wheeze. I've never had a single lung problem in my life- when I get sick, it is strep throat type of things- not coughs. Never had asthma either, and doc says I now have slight asthma.
Tonight I was thinking that all of this started about 4 weeks after I put our 3 darlings out in their coop from their brooder. I KNOW I'm not good at keeping on top of the chicken poop...and I haven't ever worn a mask or anything when cleaning the coop.
Could this be a correlation? I don't want to get rid of them, but this wheezing thing is seriously driving me insane after almost 3 months...

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Look up histoplasmosis...I think that is what it is called. Too much to explain here. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms again after reading up on it, if you think it could be the issue. It can be pretty serious.

 

[Cetawin]

asthma can come on at any time in life. It can be caused from severe allergies, a bronchial infection (ie bronchitis) that is really bad, or bronchial inflammation. It can be triggered by foods, pollens, allergens, a cold or URI and your emotions. Do some reading and talking with your doctor...it is a very treatable condition.

 

[justbugged]

I had my first bout with asthma while I was hatching The Boy. I spent 4 days in the hospital with that round. As far as I know I had never had it before. When DS aka The Boy was born, I swear the kid was born with asthma.

I wouldn't discount the possibility that what you have is some how related to cleaning the coop though. Either way you should really get it checked out by an MD.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Ptticosis (sp) is another possibility, as is a sensitivity/allergy (pigeon lung) to the birds themselves. I understand where you are coming from on your asthma; mine ranges from moderate to severe at times. You need to be under the care of a pulmonologist who will prescribe controller medicines to keep your asthma in check. You cannot stop taking thm just because you feel better, although the doctonr will work to find which medicines work best for you as well as the lowest dose of each that works.

In hte meantime, wear a mask when you are around teh birds, and have someone else do a thorough cleanup of the coop.

 

[dichotomymom]

Like cindiloohoo said, check out histo. It's endemic in certain areas (ohio river valley) and a few people around me (not even chicken raisers) have had it.

 

[sourland]

Do a search on pigeon lung disease. It can cause flu like symptoms followed by chronic lung sensitivities. It can be a very serious disease. It is caused by an allergy to the feather dander released by all birds. Wearing a cannister type mask is a must when working with the birds if you have this problem. Good luck.