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Suggest Treatment For Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Posted on Fri, 5 Jun 2015

Question: Hi
My name is XXXX I am 73 years of age and have been diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
It is thought to be caused by my work or hobby pigeons and spraypainting and welding galvanized steel
has there been any recent results in medications for this condition or related conditions.
I have come across a artical that mentioned pentoxifylline but nothing since 2012
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No treatment available for end stage hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Sorry to say, but till date there is no cure for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HSP) in late stages of disease (fibrosis and honeycombing). Steroids are given only in acute exacerbation. Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is good for such patients.
On the contrary, if detected early in the course of disease, HSP is completely reversible.
You just need to identify the causative dust and remove it completely.
So please let me know
1. Are you having end stage (fibrotic) HSP?
2. Do you have any lung pathology like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease) or bronchiectesis?
3. Are you smoker?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 hours later)

Hi
non smoker 44 years
no copd
it appears that I am close to the end stage
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Are you taking LTOT?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Can you please tell me
1. What are your main symptoms?
2. Do you have low oxygen saturation?
3. Are you taking LTOT (long term oxygen therapy)?
4. What was your last CT scan thorax report?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
LTOT will definitely help you in end stage of HSP (hypersensitivity pneumonitis).
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 hours later)

Hi
Thank you for your reply
answering your questions
I am at the end stage on o2 24 -7
at first it was thought I had pulmonary fibrosis or copd
Non smoker for 45 years
can you tell me what LTOT is and what it does
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
LTOT means long term oxygen therapy.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
LTOT means long term oxygen therapy.
Since you are taking oxygen 24×7, you are already on LTOT.
LTOT is indicated only in certain circumstances in which end stage Pulmonary disease has been occurred like in COPD, Pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
In terminal stage of all above mentioned conditions, oxygenation capacity of lung is tremendously reduced.
So patient feels breathlessness even on rest.
This causes Pulmonary hypertension and further reduction in oxygenation.
So to improve oxygenation and decrease chance of Pulmonary hypertension, LTOT is recommended.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta