35th EUROPEAN CYSTIC FIBROSIS CONFERENCE

6-9 JUNE 2012 / DUBLIN, IRELAND

MARTYNAS SOSTAUSKAS

KAUNAS, LITHUANIA

…I'm Martynas Sostauskas. I was born in 1984 in Kaunas and I live here too. I

love my native town. What else do I do here? I earn my living, support my

favorite basketball team "Zalgiris", go in for sports, dream, love, create... Since

my childhood I have been interested in drawing so my mum took me to the Art

School. I have finished it successfully and art remained a part of my life…

Medical history

� Since my early days I have been ill with respiratory diseases. I tried to cure

myself using traditional methods.

� In 2002 when I was 18 I had an operation on my lungs and after it I heard the

diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis. My upper part of the lungs was removed due to the

bronchiectasis. It was recommended to consult a geneticist.

� In December of 2008 the CF was confirmed and the F508del mutation was

identified.

� The treatment was complicated and very expensive. I had to pay for it.

� In March 2009 I was acknowledged as disability for two years

� In May 2010 we finally started to receive Pulmozyme and Kreon free of charge.

� In 2009 Mrs. Lijana Kazlauskiene, the President of Lithuanian CF

Association found me and I became a member of this association. My life

has changed for the better. Thanks to Lijana and her tremendous effort we

CF patients started to get a proper care.

� When I started to use Kreon daily my BMI increased from 17,7 (2009) to 21

(now).

� My FEV1 was < 35% (2009). With the help of Pulmosyme FEV1 became

60% (2012).

� I use Pulmosyme once a day. Every morning and evening I do some

breathing exercises. I also use 6-8 Kreon capsules with my meals a day.

� At the moment I am feeling all right though during the year I normally have

3-4 flare-ups. But now I am not afraid because I receive a complex care-

antibiotics, inhalations, physiotherapy, massages, special diet, rehabilitation

once a year.

Some facts from my life:

� In 2003 I graduated from Kaunas Art High School.

� In 2007 I graduated from Vilnius Art Academy

where I studied graphic design.

� In 2011 I received the Master's degree there.

Free time

� I am never bored. I am always busy.

� I am fond of arts, creation, sports. I never refuse to help others. I like helping

my parents at home.

Active free time

� All year round I ride my bike. I

also enjoy playing football and

basketball in summer, table

tennis and swimming in the pool

in autumn and winter. I feel it

helps me to be fit.

� My longest distances on bike: 250km

twice; 200km marathon; four routs of

extreme MTB cross-country race.

� My girlfriend and I like spending

our time outdoors, meeting

friends, visiting exibitions, going

to the zoo.

Thank you for your attention!