Ya Girl Krystal

11/08/2025

Understanding and living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency!

Alpha-1 is a rare genetic disease that can affect the lungs and/or liver and/or skin. If you have had unexplained illness, you can get tested it’s free and confidential you can go to alpha1.org. I was pretty much a healthy child until I was 16. I started getting sick and had absolutely no answers as to why! I had chronic bronchitis! I had symptoms but the tests that the doctors would run would come back fine. So even though I had symptoms and they saw most of the symptoms they got to where they would make me feel Like I was lying about what was going on! So when I was diagnosed I felt validated! Doctors made me feel like I was crazy! I didn’t know that I was being tested! I was seeing a doctor for the very first time. They run tons of tests on the first visit. So when I went for a follow up I got my results! They were going to swab my mouth but were out of swabs that day, so they pricked my finger and got 3 circles of a drop of blood each. I didn’t ask what that test was because I know they test for a ton of stuff and knew I would get the results when I went for my follow up appointment. So I didn’t ask. My phenotype is ZZ. My lung function is now 30% at 42 years old, my levels are 37 (before I started taking weekly infusions, which I will take weekly infusions the rest of my life to stop the progression of my lung disease (genetic COPD and genetic Emphysema)). I was diagnosed in 2021 I was 38 years old! Most people end up finding out around 40 years old after there has already been some damage to the lungs! After there has already been some damages to the lungs the infusions will stop the lungs from getting worse! Had my moms doctor tested her I would not have the damages to my lungs that I do have. Because I would have known and gotten tested a lot sooner. However that did not happen! My family members had issues with their lungs and liver. Some with the lungs and some with the liver. They passed at very early ages due to the lungs and/or liver!

11/06/2025

Understanding And Living With Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency! If you have had lung and/or liver issues and have had family members have lung and liver issues and have had unexplained sickness you can get tested. It's free and confidential, you can go to alpha1.org and request a test be mailed to you.
Alpha-1 is a rare genetic disease that can affect the lungs and/or liver and/or skin! If you have chronic bronchitis or pneumonia I highly suggest you get tested. My lung function is 30% at 42 years old and my levels are 37. My lung function is so low because I had never heard of alpha-1 before and had my mom been tested I would had found out way sooner before I had any damage.
However I was the first one ever diagnosed! I take weekly infusions to stop the progression of my lung disease which I have genetic COPD and genetic Emphysema. It sucks having a body that can do anything but having lungs that you can't hardly do anything, even with oxygen! I still have issues doing most things someone that is in their lower 40's and healthy can do! If my lungs was ok, I would be able to do anything that I wanted to without having any limitations! But that's just not the case, and it gets really frustrating! Specially having to have someone help you do the most bad things! I hate asking for help!

10/24/2025

My Alpha-1 Journey!

Facing a diagnosis of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency was daunting, but I chose to take control of my health. Researching the condition revealed both the challenges and the support available. With the help of family and community, I learned that managing this condition is possible through the right treatments and lifestyle changes. My journey has led me to raise awareness and educate others about Alpha-1. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire those facing similar challenges to stay hopeful and resilient. Join me in spreading awareness and making a difference together.

10/23/2025

We discuss Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic condition that impacts lung health, often misdiagnosed and discovered later in life. We explain how this rare disorder can cause progressive lung damage and the importance of early detection through simple blood tests.

10/23/2025

We share a personal story about being diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a rare genetic condition affecting lung health that many people are unaware of. We discuss how this diagnosis explained long-standing breathing difficulties and the importance of understanding one's genetic health.

10/23/2025

Facing a diagnosis of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency was daunting, but I chose to take control of my health. Researching the condition revealed both the challenges and the support available. With the help of family and community, I learned that managing this condition is possible through the right treatments and lifestyle changes. My journey has led me to raise awareness and educate others about Alpha-1. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire those facing similar challenges to stay hopeful and resilient. Join me in spreading awareness and making a difference together.

10/18/2025

Good Morning 😃🌞☀️! Happy Saturday! Never stop believing in Hope because miracles happen everyday!

10/18/2025

10/18/2025