I was diagnosed with APBA after almost 2 years of being misdiagnosed, resulting in delay in diagnosis.  By CT scan of the chest and IgE, ABPA was confirmed in June 2008.  During this time of delay, seeking help from four separate doctors, my lungs sustained damage and I now have moderate varicose bronchiectasis.  My symptoms of ABPA are still not under control.  I have contacted two experts in ABPA outside of my state that are concerned that I get appropriate treatment - namely, high dose prednisone therapy, to slow the progression.   According to these experts, if proper treatment is not followed, ABPA can advance to pumonary fibrosis, which is the fatal end-stage result.  I highly recommended that you follow the advice of a good physician - and if the one you're going to doesn't seem to know ABPA well, seek another until you do.  This is a serious lung, rare lung disease that many doctors miss or know little/nothing about. 

Diane M in WNY

7/10/11 10:20am

I have a newly-confirmed diagnosis of ABPA. I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis about 2 years ago and I've had chronic bronchitis and asthma all my life. I know Prednisone and dislike its effects. Now with the ABPA, they want to put me on the anti-fungal, Bactrim antibiotic to prevent pneumocystic pneumonia, and of course Prednisone (30 mg for 3 to 6 months). I'm shying away from the Prednisone because of the both the bone-thinning and skin-thinning, as well as the sleep problems and weight gain. But then I do worry about my untreated ABPA, and the progression into pulmonary fibrosis, which I guess is life-threatening. Still can't decide. Right now I'm still teaching and I take walks and am active in babysitting my grandson. Prednisone or untreated ABPA?