Living with AERD: Introduction

I recently went to to the doctors and was diagnosed with AERD.  I had a feeling I had it after finding it on a facebook page and playing with Dr Google but I was officially diagnosed with it last week.  I want to blog about my journey to get healthy so I can see how far I've come and to maybe help others who also suffer from AERD.

From https://aerd.partners.org/ 

What is AERD/Samter’s Triad?

Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), also known as Samter’s Triad or Aspirin Sensitive Asthma, is a chronic medical condition that consists of asthma, recurrent sinus disease with nasal polyps, and a sensitivity to aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Approximately 10% of all adults with asthma and 40% of patients with asthma and nasal polyps are sensitive to aspirin and NSAIDs

What are the symptoms?
Patients with AERD/Samter’s Triad usually have asthma, nasal congestion, and nasal polyps, and often do not respond to conventional treatments. Many have experienced chronic sinus infections and can lose their sense of smell. The characteristic feature of AERD/Samter’s Triad is that patients develop reactions triggered by aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Reactions include:

• Increased nasal congestion or stuffiness  (I have!)

• Eye watering or redness (yup!)

• Cough, wheezing, or chest tightness (I have that too!)

• Frontal headache or sensation of sinus pain (and this!)

• Flushing and/or a rash 

• Nausea and/or abdominal cramping (yup!)

• General feeling of malaise, sometimes accompanied by dizziness (too often!)

I will update as I have appointments & information available.  

New to AERD?  check out my links

Living with AERD: Introduction

Living with AERD: Early On
Living with AERD: Allergy Testing
Living with AERD: CT Scans and Surgery talk