firefighter with lam

[katielove]

i am a 29 yr old female firefghter who was diagnosed with lam at christmas 07, i have no symptoms and have been told that the disease was found " by accident " and to carry on with my life as usual so i did. the problem is that the fire service dont understand the disease and have now said that i am been taken of the engines whilst they research the fact that i might or might not have a spontanious pneumothorax!! this is after been at work for the last 8 months!!, i am fit and healthy and have passed respiratory tests with better results than ones done 2 years ago. the question i want to put to the forum is there anyone else who has hit barriers when it comes to work and is there anyone i can contact with evidence on lungs collapsing from lam, I am from uk and there is not alot of knowledge about it here.

[harbauma]

Katie,

I would suggest that you contact Frank McCormack, MD who is the Clinical Director of The LAM Foundation.  He could give you some advice on how to respond to this and could probably also give you the names of some of some doctors in the UK who could give information or evidence on your behalf.

His e-mail contact information is frank.mccormack@uc.edu

I have been fortunate in not hitting barriers at work.  I know that some,especially those who are having noticeable symptoms or problems with LAM have had work problems.

Mary Harbaugh

[bether]

Katie,

I kind of know what your going through.  Diagnosied at 36 (Feb 2008) rocked my white picket fenced world.  I've been in the resturant biz for over 20 year's (lifting things too heavy for me and never sitting down or taking a break ever- not even at 9 months pregnant). I was LAM then just like I am know (just didn't know it).  Don't let the knowing stop you from doing what you love to do.  Just go at a slower pace if need be...Talk to your Chief, he might have some good insight.


Daughter of a FDNY Chief and wife of a FDNY Firefighter

Good Luck
Beth