Ongoing irritated lungs
Can anyone recommend a specialist in the field of continued irritated lungs in the south of England. I worked with waste transformer oils in an unsuitable environment for 10 months suffering from lung problems initially burning and shortness of breath.
The company whilst admittiing fume exposure have refused to state what fumes (as thay probabaly dont truely know as it was a waste product). To the best of my knowledge they would have included mineral oil, furfuraldehyde, carbon monoxide, acetalyde, alcohols, solvents (cleaning the bottles), poly chlorinated biphenols, ,various metals,maybe BHT and other unknown oil preservatives at unknown levels. No monitoring or PPE and no complete safety data sheet for this waste product. I also sourced latex gloves which I have since found out are not suitable for use with this type of product. Transformer oil is designed to absorb 2-3 times its weight in gases and the bottles I were handling were deliberatley not sealed to reduce the chances of explosion.
The histamine challenge I lasted for about 1 minute in Dec 08 but I had a really bad time metabolising sulbutimol the nebulised stuff made me ill for two days. Had a peak flow score of 2.4 but by that time I got an appointment my company had outsourced the work to a laboratory, and I was being effected by all irritants inside and outside of work and lung function was reduced by things like paint, new carpets, new mdf etc as well as work (in a refinary). At the respiratory clinic they paid no attention or made any reference to my work exposures that started these symptoms.
I have avoided all chemicals as far as posssible since jan 09 on doctors advice.
I suffer from burning lungs coughing up of phlem and shortness of breath when I come into contact with irritants (smoke, cigarette smoke, sulphur dioxide, bleach some perfumes, tarmac, petrol, solvents, airfreshners etc). Before working there I had no history at all of any asthma and have never smoked.
I am looking for any advice on what I should do now a one respiratory consultants and a doctor have said I do not have asthma because I dont have a wheeze or a chronic cough, I just clear my throat and upper airways a lot when aggrevated I wouldn't call it a chronic cough. i have shortage of breath and pain in my lungs. I was also told I would make a recovery if I left work. I have beem chemical free for 18 months and no improvement when exposed. Any advice would be gratefully received. I went back to my GP who recommended a course of antibiotics which I refused. I do not believe I have a chest infection this is the reaction I get everyday irritants on a regular basis but I can no longer afford not to work. When I am shut up in doors or in the open air away from everything I am absolutely fine!
However financially I cannot afford to stay at home any more. Any help and advice would be much appreciated.
|
There are 5 principal centres for the investigation and management of occupational lung diseases in England. All are happy to see patients such as you on the NHS with a referral letter from your GP. From South to North the centres are
1. Royal Bromton Hospital, London (Prof Cullinan)
2. Birmingham Chest Clinic, Birmingham (Prof Burge and Dr Robertson)
3. Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield (Drs Fishwick and barber)
4. The North West conglomerate (Wythenshawe Hospital manchester Dr Baraclogh, North manchester Hospital Dr Hoyle and Aintree Hospital Liverpool Dr Warburton)
5. Royal Victoria Infirmery, Newcastle on Tyne (Dr Stenton)
|
Please sign in or register to add your thoughts.