2023-09-08 11:00:36
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of six months, Frédérick Gauthier only had a few years to live, his parents were told. At 46 years old, with 35% lung capacity, suffering from great fatigue and increasing pulmonary hemorrhages, he was declared disabled. Today, the Longueuillois is more energetic and healthy than ever thanks to a major ally: Trifaka.
In June 2021, Health Canada authorized the sale of Trifaka. Unlike other treatments, it goes beyond alleviating symptoms and attacks the problem by targeting the abnormal genetic mutations responsible for cystic fibrosis.
For Frédérick Gauthier, who has been taking it for two years, “this medication is wonderful.”
“I have been sick all my life, and here I taste health.”
-Frédérick Gauthier
Many symptoms
Chronic asthma, lung infection, severe fatigue; Mr. Gauthier was ill for a large part of his childhood. “I spent months in the hospital,” he says. I missed a lot of school.”
In addition, he ate much more than children his age, and despite everything, he remained thin. He experienced stunted growth, which faded around the age of 16.
Adolescence gave him a break. “My body grew, but it seemed like the disease had forgotten to grow. My body had become more resistant,” he emphasizes.
At that time, he played several sports, including tennis and martial arts.
However, he still had to be careful because of his asthma. And the illness caught up with him.
At age 24, he suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage. Three weeks in the hospital. “Until 2021, I had a lot of hemorrhages. In 2018, I had a big one, they were going to put me on the list for a lung transplant, he notes. I was always tired, exhausted.”
Mr. Gauthier also emphasizes the stress inherent to his condition, a state that has haunted him for a long time.
“I saw myself wasting away. It’s like having a sword of Damocles hanging over your head. I looked for solutions to combine my illness and my role as a father. I give my all for my children,” expresses this father of a girl and a boy.
The day and the night
Frédérick Gauthier started taking Trifaka in November 2021.
“Four hours after taking the first pill, I no longer coughed. Otherwise, I coughed every two or four minutes, he compares. I’ve been coughing all my life.”
By the next day, his lung capacity had increased by a few percentage points. It is now improved by 25%.
“After a day of work, I still have energy,” says Mr. Gauthier.
Her children also see the beneficial effects of the medication. “He coughs a lot less and has more energy,” says Léa-Rose.
“He has more energy for tickling!” adds Alec. He does lots of things, he plays tennis and he is my soccer coach. We win everything!”
Frédérick Gauthier has started training again.
“I’m not refurbished, I’m mortgaged to the ravages on my body. But my life expectancy has really increased. I have a normal life with small problems.”
-Frédérick Gauthier
From a professional point of view, this criminal behaviorist – he does research and analysis of criminal behavior expressed at crime scenes – has always managed to hold jobs where he was the boss.
He is currently working on the development of a software aimed at facilitating the screening of school dropouts, starting in primary school.
“I am becoming more productive than before. And I discover that I can have greater aspirations,” he means.
Accountable
The cost of Trifaka is very high: between $25,000 and $30,000 per year. With the Quebec Health Insurance Board, Mr. Gauthier only pays around a hundred dollars per month.
Also taking into consideration the financial assistance he receives due to his disability status, Mr. Gauthier feels indebted to society.
“We have a good system in Quebec. And if I can give back to society [entre autres avec son logiciel sur le dépistage du décrochage scolaire]this will be my contribution.”
Pills
Since Trifaka, Frédérick Gauthier’s medication intake has changed completely.
Before, he had to take enzymes (up to 30 tablets per day), energy supplements (Boost), a sinus medication, another for bones, calcium, two anti-inflammatories and two asthma pumps. .
Now, only an anti-inflammatory is added to his two daily Trifaka tablets.
(Photos: Le Courrier du Sud – Ali Dostie)
1694176288
#Journal #SaintFrançois #Drug #cystic #fibrosis #sword #Damocles