Donald Otis
Biography
Name | Donald Otis |
Nickname | donald-otis |
Short Bio | I am a Colorado native, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 1 wife, 1 mortgage. Poet, music lover, weirdo. |
Type of Diagnosis | IPF |
Treatment / Medical Facility | Kaiser Permanente |
Current medication regimen | Pirfenidone |
Lung transplantation status | to be determined |
Supplemental Oxygen | yes |
Best advice for PF symptom management | Stay active, learn to breath, eat your dinner. It sounds dumb, I know. But, moving around – even just like me, with an active job – keeping your weight in the right bracket – too high, there’s too much to oxygenate, too low, you are malnourished – and learning to actively breath – slooooowly in, slooooowly out – these are the things that you can do. There are sometimes that there’s nothing you can do; so having actions you can take empower you. Be bold fighting side-effects. Pirfenidone made me really sick, until they got me off the capsules and on the pills. But I waited to complain for way too long. Get some Zofran Odt (the generic is fine), take your meds with meals (kefir was a godsend), stay regular and timely with dosage. Medical marijuana (edible) really helps. I do live in Colorado, where it is legal, and it has helped me keep appetite, and to relax. Really, it does work. Not CBD, get the THC; I prefer hybrids. |
Are you currently taking an anti-fibrotic medication? | yes |