Guest guest Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 I am also thoroughly convinced that mold was a major factor in triggering my IPF. I used it and the existing documented indoor air quality at my place of work as the basis for my worker's compensation claim, which was denied. I am in appeal and have a lawyer working with me on the appeal. The basis for my claim stems from the fact that there is a 10 year history of documented indoor air quality problems in the office area where I worked. In fact, the person who sat in my exact office space prior to me had developed a lung disease, required a lung transplant which they received. After recovery from the transplant, the person returned to work...in the exact same place!! Two years after returning to work, the person died from a " rare lung disease " !!! The office space in question was never designed to be office space - in the original building plans, it was designed as a mechanical room. Thee were no windows, low suspended ceilings, bare concrete walls and floor. The ventilation was poor to non-existant. Pipes in the overhead area leaked, along with condensation issues from the HVAC system. Naturally that resulted in wet ceiling tiles, and yes...MOLD! In addition, there was a high-volume copier located less than 6 feet from my desk. The manufacturer suggests that the copier be in a seperate room and exhausted directly outdoors - neither was done here! Copiers, particularly when experiencing high usage, emit toxins into the air, primarily because of the toner. This is also a factor with laser printers, and yes, the networked office laser printer was also in this same area. I recently came across an article reporting on research done by someone in Australia about toxic emissions from laser printers. A significant number of the printer models tested were found to emit unacceptable levels of toxins into the air. All of these factors contributed to my firmly believing that my medical issues all stem from my workplace. Prior to going to work in this place, my health was excellent, other than a few extra pounds. Within 6 months of going to work in this environment, I began feeling fatigued and experienced shortness of breath. My primary care physician diagosed me with phuemonia and put me on antibiotics. The symptoms seemed to go away... Within the next year, I was diagnosed with pnuemonia an additional 3 times...each time, up until the last time, I was prescribed antibiotics and the symptoms cleared up. The final time, in the summer of 2007, most of the symptoms cleared up, but the shortness of breath (SOB) did not! So back to the doctor, where the term IPF came up for the first time. Then, after multiple X-rays, CAT scans, Pulmo visits, and PFT's it was confirmed by VATS on December 26th, 2007. Since that time, I have been on O2 24x7 and had to leave work. I have been awarded Social Security Disability but, was denied worker's compensation. The worker's comp issue is important to me for several reasons, the most important being that if it is found that my condition is compensable under workers comp, then I would be eligible for accidental disability retirement from the State of NH (I was a state employee and the office was in a state facility). Needless to say, the retiree status and the pension and health benefits would be very much welcome!! I have been doing a great deal of research trying to find anyone, anywhere who may have been thru something similar. If anyone can guide me to someone, or some place where it has been proven that airborne mold or other airborne toxic contaminants have caused ILD or IPF, it would be greatly appreciated. Steve aka...Knip IPF Dx 9/07 confirmed via VATS 12/07 57 New Hampshire > > Hi all that responded to Squeaky. Here is my response to . Hit the wrong button and it might be of interest to all. Keep on that mold idea as it is pretty easy to figure out over time. If it is mold and you haven't done the work to get it out of your environment you will never improve. If you need any help that I can give, please let me know. It is a serious learning curve. I also use a silk comfort mask when in groceries or near anything that might bother me. If I'm having a hard time then the mask is too difficult to get air through although it is a wonderful item. > Mike > > > > > Hi , > On open biopsy the results came back for PF. On looking at the report my Dr. Hassan in ville TN, noted that they also showed some " granulation " I think he called it. My first attack in 1997, had been following or during a bad URI in California during the rainy season when I was diagnosed with Interstitial Pneumonitis. > > Anyhow, Dr. Hassan sent the biopsies to Duke, Mayo or both for second opinion. It came back that they thought it was PF with an aspect of HP. He put me on a 6 month regimine of pred and when it worked very well, said I should move west to dry climate b/c most HP was due to mold. We lived in a very damp environment at the edge of Smoky Mountain National Park. > > To make it short, after 5 years, I am certain mold was the culprit and the PF is secondary due to it going untreated. I went to ER tonight with awful SOB b/c I had attended an art show that was in a grassy field. By the time I realized the situation it was too late. Damage done. The reaction will take a day and then build each day without prednisone. This time pred didn't work. IV depomedrol did. > > Here are the things that are sure to put me into arrest. Grass, rainy days or even cloudy ones, plants in the house, anywhere there is refrigeration such as grocery stores, produce areas etc. Windy days as dust from watered lawns etc flies everywhere. You will learn to smell mold if there is a pin size piece anywhere. When you have a reaction 100% of the time to these things you know what you have! Mine is severe but was not always. It gets worse with time and exposure. My Dr. here says it's PF. I don't even think he has spent 5 minutes trying to figure it out. Only one more lung guy here so I'm likely out of luck for a second opinion. > > If I can be of any help at all we can compare more notes and I'd like to hear about your reactions, how, when etc... How does pred work for you? > > Mike > > Hi Mike Ferguson, > > My name is and I would like to welcome both you and Stefani to the group. Sorry I didn " t respond earlier with a welcome, but I have been over whelmed with company the last two weeks. > I did notice in the posts you have made that you seem to attribute your PF to mold. I have the same feelings, but have not been able to verify it, so I am wondering if you have a Dr. that has confirmed your assumption and if so, I live in Arizona and am willing to travel anywhere to find the Dr that can confirm my suspicions. > Thank you and I hope (know) that you have found the best site for the answers you will need for this disease, I will be talking with you later, good luck!!!! > G. UIP/IPF 5/07 AZ. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Steve do you know if anyone else working in that office developed lung diseases besides the man you described? If it affects several people you might have a better chance with the claim and the office will have to be taken care of so that no one else gets the disease. i hope this makes sense Pink Joyce IPF 3/06 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org--- Subject: Mold, HP and IPFTo: Breathe-Support Date: Monday, April 20, 2009, 12:42 PM I am also thoroughly convinced that mold was a major factor in triggering my IPF. I used it and the existing documented indoor air quality at my place of work as the basis for my worker's compensation claim, which was denied. I am in appeal and have a lawyer working with me on the appeal.The basis for my claim stems from the fact that there is a 10 year history of documented indoor air quality problems in the office area where I worked. In fact, the person who sat in my exact office space prior to me had developed a lung disease, required a lung transplant which they received. After recovery from the transplant, the person returned to work...in the exact same place!! Two years after returning to work, the person died from a "rare lung disease"!!! The office space in question was never designed to be office space - in the original building plans, it was designed as a mechanical room. Thee were no windows, low suspended ceilings, bare concrete walls and floor. The ventilation was poor to non-existant. Pipes in the overhead area leaked, along with condensation issues from the HVAC system. Naturally that resulted in wet ceiling tiles, and yes...MOLD!In addition, there was a high-volume copier located less than 6 feet from my desk. The manufacturer suggests that the copier be in a seperate room and exhausted directly outdoors - neither was done here! Copiers, particularly when experiencing high usage, emit toxins into the air, primarily because of the toner. This is also a factor with laser printers, and yes, the networked office laser printer was also in this same area. I recently came across an article reporting on research done by someone in Australia about toxic emissions from laser printers. A significant number of the printer models tested were found to emit unacceptable levels of toxins into the air.All of these factors contributed to my firmly believing that my medical issues all stem from my workplace. Prior to going to work in this place, my health was excellent, other than a few extra pounds. Within 6 months of going to work in this environment, I began feeling fatigued and experienced shortness of breath. My primary care physician diagosed me with phuemonia and put me on antibiotics. The symptoms seemed to go away... Within the next year, I was diagnosed with pnuemonia an additional 3 times...each time, up until the last time, I was prescribed antibiotics and the symptoms cleared up. The final time, in the summer of 2007, most of the symptoms cleared up, but the shortness of breath (SOB) did not! So back to the doctor, where the term IPF came up for the first time. Then, after multiple X-rays, CAT scans, Pulmo visits, and PFT's it was confirmed by VATS on December 26th, 2007. Since that time, I have been on O2 24x7 and had to leave work. I have been awarded Social Security Disability but, was denied worker's compensation. The worker's comp issue is important to me for several reasons, the most important being that if it is found that my condition is compensable under workers comp, then I would be eligible for accidental disability retirement from the State of NH (I was a state employee and the office was in a state facility). Needless to say, the retiree status and the pension and health benefits would be very much welcome!!I have been doing a great deal of research trying to find anyone, anywhere who may have been thru something similar. If anyone can guide me to someone, or some place where it has been proven that airborne mold or other airborne toxic contaminants have caused ILD or IPF, it would be greatly appreciated.Steve aka...Knip IPF Dx 9/07 confirmed via VATS 12/0757 New Hampshire>> Hi all that responded to Squeaky. Here is my response to . Hit the wrong button and it might be of interest to all. Keep on that mold idea as it is pretty easy to figure out over time. If it is mold and you haven't done the work to get it out of your environment you will never improve. If you need any help that I can give, please let me know. It is a serious learning curve. I also use a silk comfort mask when in groceries or near anything that might bother me. If I'm having a hard time then the mask is too difficult to get air through although it is a wonderful item.> Mike> > > > > Hi ,> On open biopsy the results came back for PF. On looking at the report my Dr. Hassan in ville TN, noted that they also showed some "granulation" I think he called it. My first attack in 1997, had been following or during a bad URI in California during the rainy season when I was diagnosed with Interstitial Pneumonitis. > > Anyhow, Dr. Hassan sent the biopsies to Duke, Mayo or both for second opinion. It came back that they thought it was PF with an aspect of HP. He put me on a 6 month regimine of pred and when it worked very well, said I should move west to dry climate b/c most HP was due to mold. We lived in a very damp environment at the edge of Smoky Mountain National Park. > > To make it short, after 5 years, I am certain mold was the culprit and the PF is secondary due to it going untreated. I went to ER tonight with awful SOB b/c I had attended an art show that was in a grassy field. By the time I realized the situation it was too late. Damage done. The reaction will take a day and then build each day without prednisone. This time pred didn't work. IV depomedrol did. > > Here are the things that are sure to put me into arrest. Grass, rainy days or even cloudy ones, plants in the house, anywhere there is refrigeration such as grocery stores, produce areas etc. Windy days as dust from watered lawns etc flies everywhere. You will learn to smell mold if there is a pin size piece anywhere. When you have a reaction 100% of the time to these things you know what you have! Mine is severe but was not always. It gets worse with time and exposure. My Dr. here says it's PF. I don't even think he has spent 5 minutes trying to figure it out. Only one more lung guy here so I'm likely out of luck for a second opinion. > > If I can be of any help at all we can compare more notes and I'd like to hear about your reactions, how, when etc... How does pred work for you? > > Mike > > Hi Mike Ferguson,> > My name is and I would like to welcome both you and Stefani to the group. Sorry I didn"t respond earlier with a welcome, but I have been over whelmed with company the last two weeks.> I did notice in the posts you have made that you seem to attribute your PF to mold. I have the same feelings, but have not been able to verify it, so I am wondering if you have a Dr. that has confirmed your assumption and if so, I live in Arizona and am willing to travel anywhere to find the Dr that can confirm my suspicions. > Thank you and I hope (know) that you have found the best site for the answers you will need for this disease, I will be talking with you later, good luck!!!!> G. UIP/IPF 5/07 AZ.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Steve do you know if anyone else working in that office developed lung diseases besides the man you described? If it affects several people you might have a better chance with the claim and the office will have to be taken care of so that no one else gets the disease. i hope this makes sense Pink Joyce IPF 3/06 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org--- Subject: Mold, HP and IPFTo: Breathe-Support Date: Monday, April 20, 2009, 12:42 PM I am also thoroughly convinced that mold was a major factor in triggering my IPF. I used it and the existing documented indoor air quality at my place of work as the basis for my worker's compensation claim, which was denied. I am in appeal and have a lawyer working with me on the appeal.The basis for my claim stems from the fact that there is a 10 year history of documented indoor air quality problems in the office area where I worked. In fact, the person who sat in my exact office space prior to me had developed a lung disease, required a lung transplant which they received. After recovery from the transplant, the person returned to work...in the exact same place!! Two years after returning to work, the person died from a "rare lung disease"!!! The office space in question was never designed to be office space - in the original building plans, it was designed as a mechanical room. Thee were no windows, low suspended ceilings, bare concrete walls and floor. The ventilation was poor to non-existant. Pipes in the overhead area leaked, along with condensation issues from the HVAC system. Naturally that resulted in wet ceiling tiles, and yes...MOLD!In addition, there was a high-volume copier located less than 6 feet from my desk. The manufacturer suggests that the copier be in a seperate room and exhausted directly outdoors - neither was done here! Copiers, particularly when experiencing high usage, emit toxins into the air, primarily because of the toner. This is also a factor with laser printers, and yes, the networked office laser printer was also in this same area. I recently came across an article reporting on research done by someone in Australia about toxic emissions from laser printers. A significant number of the printer models tested were found to emit unacceptable levels of toxins into the air.All of these factors contributed to my firmly believing that my medical issues all stem from my workplace. Prior to going to work in this place, my health was excellent, other than a few extra pounds. Within 6 months of going to work in this environment, I began feeling fatigued and experienced shortness of breath. My primary care physician diagosed me with phuemonia and put me on antibiotics. The symptoms seemed to go away... Within the next year, I was diagnosed with pnuemonia an additional 3 times...each time, up until the last time, I was prescribed antibiotics and the symptoms cleared up. The final time, in the summer of 2007, most of the symptoms cleared up, but the shortness of breath (SOB) did not! So back to the doctor, where the term IPF came up for the first time. Then, after multiple X-rays, CAT scans, Pulmo visits, and PFT's it was confirmed by VATS on December 26th, 2007. Since that time, I have been on O2 24x7 and had to leave work. I have been awarded Social Security Disability but, was denied worker's compensation. The worker's comp issue is important to me for several reasons, the most important being that if it is found that my condition is compensable under workers comp, then I would be eligible for accidental disability retirement from the State of NH (I was a state employee and the office was in a state facility). Needless to say, the retiree status and the pension and health benefits would be very much welcome!!I have been doing a great deal of research trying to find anyone, anywhere who may have been thru something similar. If anyone can guide me to someone, or some place where it has been proven that airborne mold or other airborne toxic contaminants have caused ILD or IPF, it would be greatly appreciated.Steve aka...Knip IPF Dx 9/07 confirmed via VATS 12/0757 New Hampshire>> Hi all that responded to Squeaky. Here is my response to . Hit the wrong button and it might be of interest to all. Keep on that mold idea as it is pretty easy to figure out over time. If it is mold and you haven't done the work to get it out of your environment you will never improve. If you need any help that I can give, please let me know. It is a serious learning curve. I also use a silk comfort mask when in groceries or near anything that might bother me. If I'm having a hard time then the mask is too difficult to get air through although it is a wonderful item.> Mike> > > > > Hi ,> On open biopsy the results came back for PF. On looking at the report my Dr. Hassan in ville TN, noted that they also showed some "granulation" I think he called it. My first attack in 1997, had been following or during a bad URI in California during the rainy season when I was diagnosed with Interstitial Pneumonitis. > > Anyhow, Dr. Hassan sent the biopsies to Duke, Mayo or both for second opinion. It came back that they thought it was PF with an aspect of HP. He put me on a 6 month regimine of pred and when it worked very well, said I should move west to dry climate b/c most HP was due to mold. We lived in a very damp environment at the edge of Smoky Mountain National Park. > > To make it short, after 5 years, I am certain mold was the culprit and the PF is secondary due to it going untreated. I went to ER tonight with awful SOB b/c I had attended an art show that was in a grassy field. By the time I realized the situation it was too late. Damage done. The reaction will take a day and then build each day without prednisone. This time pred didn't work. IV depomedrol did. > > Here are the things that are sure to put me into arrest. Grass, rainy days or even cloudy ones, plants in the house, anywhere there is refrigeration such as grocery stores, produce areas etc. Windy days as dust from watered lawns etc flies everywhere. You will learn to smell mold if there is a pin size piece anywhere. When you have a reaction 100% of the time to these things you know what you have! Mine is severe but was not always. It gets worse with time and exposure. My Dr. here says it's PF. I don't even think he has spent 5 minutes trying to figure it out. Only one more lung guy here so I'm likely out of luck for a second opinion. > > If I can be of any help at all we can compare more notes and I'd like to hear about your reactions, how, when etc... How does pred work for you? > > Mike > > Hi Mike Ferguson,> > My name is and I would like to welcome both you and Stefani to the group. Sorry I didn"t respond earlier with a welcome, but I have been over whelmed with company the last two weeks.> I did notice in the posts you have made that you seem to attribute your PF to mold. I have the same feelings, but have not been able to verify it, so I am wondering if you have a Dr. that has confirmed your assumption and if so, I live in Arizona and am willing to travel anywhere to find the Dr that can confirm my suspicions. > Thank you and I hope (know) that you have found the best site for the answers you will need for this disease, I will be talking with you later, good luck!!!!> G. UIP/IPF 5/07 AZ.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Steve do you know if anyone else working in that office developed lung diseases besides the man you described? If it affects several people you might have a better chance with the claim and the office will have to be taken care of so that no one else gets the disease. i hope this makes sense Pink Joyce IPF 3/06 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org--- Subject: Mold, HP and IPFTo: Breathe-Support Date: Monday, April 20, 2009, 12:42 PM I am also thoroughly convinced that mold was a major factor in triggering my IPF. I used it and the existing documented indoor air quality at my place of work as the basis for my worker's compensation claim, which was denied. I am in appeal and have a lawyer working with me on the appeal.The basis for my claim stems from the fact that there is a 10 year history of documented indoor air quality problems in the office area where I worked. In fact, the person who sat in my exact office space prior to me had developed a lung disease, required a lung transplant which they received. After recovery from the transplant, the person returned to work...in the exact same place!! Two years after returning to work, the person died from a "rare lung disease"!!! The office space in question was never designed to be office space - in the original building plans, it was designed as a mechanical room. Thee were no windows, low suspended ceilings, bare concrete walls and floor. The ventilation was poor to non-existant. Pipes in the overhead area leaked, along with condensation issues from the HVAC system. Naturally that resulted in wet ceiling tiles, and yes...MOLD!In addition, there was a high-volume copier located less than 6 feet from my desk. The manufacturer suggests that the copier be in a seperate room and exhausted directly outdoors - neither was done here! Copiers, particularly when experiencing high usage, emit toxins into the air, primarily because of the toner. This is also a factor with laser printers, and yes, the networked office laser printer was also in this same area. I recently came across an article reporting on research done by someone in Australia about toxic emissions from laser printers. A significant number of the printer models tested were found to emit unacceptable levels of toxins into the air.All of these factors contributed to my firmly believing that my medical issues all stem from my workplace. Prior to going to work in this place, my health was excellent, other than a few extra pounds. Within 6 months of going to work in this environment, I began feeling fatigued and experienced shortness of breath. My primary care physician diagosed me with phuemonia and put me on antibiotics. The symptoms seemed to go away... Within the next year, I was diagnosed with pnuemonia an additional 3 times...each time, up until the last time, I was prescribed antibiotics and the symptoms cleared up. The final time, in the summer of 2007, most of the symptoms cleared up, but the shortness of breath (SOB) did not! So back to the doctor, where the term IPF came up for the first time. Then, after multiple X-rays, CAT scans, Pulmo visits, and PFT's it was confirmed by VATS on December 26th, 2007. Since that time, I have been on O2 24x7 and had to leave work. I have been awarded Social Security Disability but, was denied worker's compensation. The worker's comp issue is important to me for several reasons, the most important being that if it is found that my condition is compensable under workers comp, then I would be eligible for accidental disability retirement from the State of NH (I was a state employee and the office was in a state facility). Needless to say, the retiree status and the pension and health benefits would be very much welcome!!I have been doing a great deal of research trying to find anyone, anywhere who may have been thru something similar. If anyone can guide me to someone, or some place where it has been proven that airborne mold or other airborne toxic contaminants have caused ILD or IPF, it would be greatly appreciated.Steve aka...Knip IPF Dx 9/07 confirmed via VATS 12/0757 New Hampshire>> Hi all that responded to Squeaky. Here is my response to . Hit the wrong button and it might be of interest to all. Keep on that mold idea as it is pretty easy to figure out over time. If it is mold and you haven't done the work to get it out of your environment you will never improve. If you need any help that I can give, please let me know. It is a serious learning curve. I also use a silk comfort mask when in groceries or near anything that might bother me. If I'm having a hard time then the mask is too difficult to get air through although it is a wonderful item.> Mike> > > > > Hi ,> On open biopsy the results came back for PF. On looking at the report my Dr. Hassan in ville TN, noted that they also showed some "granulation" I think he called it. My first attack in 1997, had been following or during a bad URI in California during the rainy season when I was diagnosed with Interstitial Pneumonitis. > > Anyhow, Dr. Hassan sent the biopsies to Duke, Mayo or both for second opinion. It came back that they thought it was PF with an aspect of HP. He put me on a 6 month regimine of pred and when it worked very well, said I should move west to dry climate b/c most HP was due to mold. We lived in a very damp environment at the edge of Smoky Mountain National Park. > > To make it short, after 5 years, I am certain mold was the culprit and the PF is secondary due to it going untreated. I went to ER tonight with awful SOB b/c I had attended an art show that was in a grassy field. By the time I realized the situation it was too late. Damage done. The reaction will take a day and then build each day without prednisone. This time pred didn't work. IV depomedrol did. > > Here are the things that are sure to put me into arrest. Grass, rainy days or even cloudy ones, plants in the house, anywhere there is refrigeration such as grocery stores, produce areas etc. Windy days as dust from watered lawns etc flies everywhere. You will learn to smell mold if there is a pin size piece anywhere. When you have a reaction 100% of the time to these things you know what you have! Mine is severe but was not always. It gets worse with time and exposure. My Dr. here says it's PF. I don't even think he has spent 5 minutes trying to figure it out. Only one more lung guy here so I'm likely out of luck for a second opinion. > > If I can be of any help at all we can compare more notes and I'd like to hear about your reactions, how, when etc... How does pred work for you? > > Mike > > Hi Mike Ferguson,> > My name is and I would like to welcome both you and Stefani to the group. Sorry I didn"t respond earlier with a welcome, but I have been over whelmed with company the last two weeks.> I did notice in the posts you have made that you seem to attribute your PF to mold. I have the same feelings, but have not been able to verify it, so I am wondering if you have a Dr. that has confirmed your assumption and if so, I live in Arizona and am willing to travel anywhere to find the Dr that can confirm my suspicions. > Thank you and I hope (know) that you have found the best site for the answers you will need for this disease, I will be talking with you later, good luck!!!!> G. UIP/IPF 5/07 AZ.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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