Susan's Story

Susan, a Georgia ER doctor, noticed she began having "dramatic" reactions to ibuprofen and aspirin, after never having experienced anything like that before. Through her extensive medical experience, Susan came to suspect she might have an obscure condition called Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD). A specialist confirmed her suspicion and diagnosed her with AERD. 

"I always looked like I was sick with a cold or just removed from an allergy attack," she said. "I was really congested, and my nose ran profusely. It was hard not to notice."

Susan had such difficulty breathing through her nose, she struggled to exercise and even sleep.

"I'd wake a couple of times a night several nights a week, sneezing, coughing and wheezing," Susan said. Eventually, she also lost her sense of smell and taste.

Even while avoiding aspirin and NSAIDs, those with AERD will still experience asthma, nasal congestion, nasal polyps, loss of sense of smell, intolerance to alcohol, and chronic sinusitis.

Susan rarely drank alcohol and never took aspirin or ibuprofen after diagnosis. Yet, her symptoms not only persisted, they gradually worsened over time. 

It's estimated that about 10 percent of those with asthma and 40 percent of those with asthma and nasal polyps have AERD. 

AERD typically develops in adulthood.  It's an acquired condition, so those with AERD may have not had any issues with aspirin or NSAIDs, but now cannot consume them without experiencing an asthma attack or other allergic symptoms.

Once diagnosed, effective treatment is available.

Expertise is a Difference-Maker

In 2000, and then again in 2011, Susan had surgery to remove her nasal polyps and completely clean out her sinuses. In both instances, the relief from her symptoms was short-lived because her doctors were unable to provide aspirin desensitization, a key component of the treatment of AERD.

Numerous studies have confirmed that complete sinus surgery followed by aspirin desensitization is the most effective treatment for reducing the regrowth of polyps and managing other AERD symptoms.

In April 2021, Susan underwent a third surgery, performed by Dr. Nithin Adappa, Surgical Director at the Penn AERD Center, and his team of specialists, to remove her nasal polyps and clean out her sinuses. Eight weeks later, she was brought back for aspirin desensitization performed by Dr. John V. Bosso, MD, Medical Director at the Penn AERD Center, an effective therapy that treats the underlying cause of AERD.

A few weeks after her surgery, her sense of smell and taste returned. 

Five months removed from her treatment at Penn, Susan is back to working long shifts in the ER, treating patients. She is able to enjoy exercising again, and her sleep has greatly improved.

After a couple of failed attempts at treatment, Susan is all the more appreciative for the expertise and closely coordinated care of the Penn AERD Center.

"It's not just a team by name there," Susan said. "And I'm walking proof of the benefits of that cohesion."