Living with IPF — a column by Charlene Marshall

Charlene is a fiercely independent 30-something year-old who can’t sit still. She loves coffee, wine tasting, playing with her dog, and spending time on the beach with her family. She’s a lover of all things travel, and never passes up an opportunity for a dip in the ocean! A proud Canadian, Charlene was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2016 after 13 months of investigation into sudden shortness of breath, a chronic cough, and unusual fatigue. IPF has forced her to slow down, but she’s slowly learning the value of quality versus quantity in everything she does.

4 things that trigger my IPF chronic cough

I wouldn’t wish the effects of a chronic cough on anyone. The cough that often accompanies idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is dry and persistent. It’s difficult to address and find relief, and it can be exacerbated by several things. That’s been my experience since I was diagnosed…

How IPF can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, either through losing or sometimes gaining pounds, is an important part of our overall health and can often be accomplished through a nutritious diet and regular physical activity. However, weight maintenance becomes more complicated when you factor in a chronic illness. When I was…

Why it’s important to ask doctors questions about IPF

Living with a chronic illness takes commitment, patience, and endurance. A lot of energy is required to manage your disease, medication schedules, procedures, and medical equipment. For me, equipment management means keeping my oxygen tanks in working order, as I’ve relied on them to breathe since I was diagnosed…

Your PF Community

Woman laying down reading

Visit the Pulmonary Fibrosis News forums to connect with others in the PF community.

View Forums