Birder's lung, darlings disease

[Snakebiteholloway]

Not sure this is the right place, but has anyone ever been sick from their chickens or other fowl? So not bragging bit i never get sick, until the last 8 months, I've been very sick twice. But times i accidentally got a face full of coop dust for quite a few minutes. Now i wear a mask, but have forgotten it once or twice. I believe i have either an aspergillis or, most likely, a histoplasmosis infection. I'm not immunologically compromised, but i do have chronic sinus infections and reduced kidney functions, adrenal disease. The question is, why will Drs not even HEAR you try to explain this? I can't be the only one who's ever caught a backdraft or sudden Ingress and flurry of all the girls stirring up dust. My research shows this is actually common in poultry owners. Is my dr the only one who thinks I'm stupid and refuses to check me for these fungi?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Not sure this is the right place, but has anyone ever been sick from their chickens or other fowl? So not bragging bit i never get sick, until the last 8 months, I've been very sick twice. But times i accidentally got a face full of coop dust for quite a few minutes. Now i wear a mask, but have forgotten it once or twice. I believe i have either an aspergillis or, most likely, a histoplasmosis infection. I'm not immunologically compromised, but i do have chronic sinus infections and reduced kidney functions, adrenal disease. The question is, why will Drs not even HEAR you try to explain this? I can't be the only one who's ever caught a backdraft or sudden Ingress and flurry of all the girls stirring up dust. My research shows this is actually common in poultry owners. Is my dr the only one who thinks I'm stupid and refuses to check me for these fungi?

I haven't gotten sick from the chickens, had chickens for many years.

 

[Kiki]

Never gotten sick from my chicken nor have I ever heard of anyone getting sick from theirs.

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

I haven't gotten sick from the chickens, had chickens for many years.

I've had them for 5ish years, never had any trouble and was even much more careless before. Then 2 years ago (backstory, short but so no one thinks I'm an idiot) i had a massive ragweed reaction that cause one of my sinuses to expand into my palate, requiring surg. correction. I've had sinus issues since. But this isn't that - hot that checked. Then there was those two or three times when i caught myself without a mask in my coop - it wasn't yet a habit. I'm actually a fair layman science bug. High quality biol. Microscope, etc. I'm able to see the fungus, but can't get anyone to listen. It's very frustrating. I wondered if i was the only one ever dealing with this.

 

[Kiki]

I've had them for 5ish years, never had any trouble and was even much more careless before. Then 2 years ago (backstory, short but so no one thinks I'm an idiot) i had a massive ragweed reaction that cause one of my sinuses to expand into my palate, requiring surg. correction. I've had sinus issues since. But this isn't that - hot that checked. Then there was those two or three times when i caught myself without a mask in my coop - it wasn't yet a habit. I'm actually a fair layman science bug. High quality biol. Microscope, etc. I'm able to see the fungus, but can't get anyone to listen. It's very frustrating. I wondered if i was the only one ever dealing with this.

Would one of these work to test for what you think you have?
https://microgendx.com/patients/microgendx-patient-test-service-dm-intl/

 

[21hens-incharge]

If a doctor is refusing to perform a test for something to rule it out ask a LOT more questions like "why do you think it's not (insert condition name)?" "What else do you think it could be?" .

If their answers don't make sense ask more questions. Make them exp!ain their answers in terms you can understand.

Still at odds with the doctor? Shop around for a second opinion.

The only person I ever met that had histoplasmosis grew up on a chicken ranch often playing in the chicken barns as a child.

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

Would one of these work to test for what you think you have?
https://microgendx.com/patients/microgendx-patient-test-service-dm-intl/

Quite possible the dental k one. I'll do some research. Thank you - this is a valuable info. I didn't really consider online options, didn't think these things were available for the genpop. So i looked after your answer. I also just found a lab in a city within driving distance that does labs. I'll give them a call, as well. I can clearly see histo in my specimens using my 'scope. But the meds must come from a dr, so if i can get a "real" test to show it i may have more success with my pcp!
Thanks!

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

If a doctor is refusing to perform a test for something to rule it out ask a LOT more questions like "why do you think it's not (insert condition name)?" "What else do you think it could be?" .

If yheir answers don't make sense ask more questions. Make them exp!ain their answers in terms you can understand.

Still at odds with the doctor? Shop around for a second opinion.

The only person I ever met that had histoplasmosis grew up on a chicken ranch often playing in the chicken barns as a child.

Odds? Yeah, patronized beyond belief. I use the VA system, but i may bring my microscope to her office with slides prepped next time! If not, I'll ask for a different dr. For sure. Thank you

 

[Kiki]

Quite possible the dental k one. I'll do some research. Thank you - this is a valuable info. I didn't really consider online options, didn't think these things were available for the genpop. So i looked after your answer. I also just found a lab in a city within driving distance that does labs. I'll give them a call, as well. I can clearly see histo in my specimens using my 'scope. But the meds must come from a dr, so if i can get a "real" test to show it i may have more success with my pcp!
Thanks!

See if you have a Quest Diagnostics lab near by. They run All kinds of tests...for you...with no doctor's orders

 

[Kiki]

See if you have a Quest Diagnostics lab near by. They run All kinds of tests...for you...with no doctor's orders

https://testdirectory.questdiagnost... than Hair, Skin, Blood, with Fluorescent KOH