[Gorquin]

While working in the yard I started feeling more tired than I should have while sawing tree limbs, removing debris etc. so I went to see a thorasic doctor. That was around 2003. In 2005 I had both Lyme Disease and a Mold infection at the same time. It affected me a bit but I could still do my 1.5 mile jog. I was never a good runner and liked cycling more…but I switched it up. I did the 1.5 mile job on a Friday, Saturday had a crown replaced and felt lousy the entire weekend into Monday. Tuesday I went out for a jog and literally could not jog a block! My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. CT Scan showed a mild sandstorm in each lung along with a cluster in each lung the size of a tennis ball. It scare the heck out of me. Diagnosed with IPF in 2005.

The pulmonary function test I took showed Prednisone didn’t do much of anything straight into my lungs so I opted not to use it. I did probably 75-100 IV’s of either Hydrogen Peroxide, Ozone, and Vit C. I still exercise, don’t eat much junk food, never smoked cigs or weed, don’t consume alcohol, mostly veggie diet with eggs, salmon, sardines, sometimes shrimp, brown rice etc. I meditate, do yoga, do lift weights but not as often as I should.

What sparked me to continue exercise is what a Surgeon who wanted to biopsy the part of my lung with NO scarring said when I told him I could walk OK on flat ground but the hills were a killer. His response…”yeah, simple physics, the steeper the angle the harder the work”. So,  one needs to exercise even with diminished lung capacity because the better shape you’re in the easier it is to perform a task. Last I checked with my spirometer my FEV1 was only 1.3-1.4 but I still have never used supplemental oxygen. One has to remember to breath deep and low….diaphragmatic breathing!! Also once in a while I do Wim Hoff breathing techniques. I had a bad sinus infection that threw me for a loop in Oct-Nov… but I’m feeling better now. The downside is that I’m also prone to kidney stones and have to go and have laser treatment in a few weeks so it’s going to slow my recovery a bit. Still…One MUST keep a positive attitude! In a few months I’ll have been living with IPF for 18 years and I’m not going anywhere soon! I did read an article that said Metformin had an effect on reversing lung scarring so I need to do some research on that. I’m not big on meds…tried a few…don’t agree with me. We also have 3 AirDoctor air filters in our house. For the guys there’s also a lot you can do, as you get older, to keep your “T” levels up. No alcohol, low sugar intake, eat only good fats, you need carbs but don’t overdue it. Yeah, my mistake…too many carbs but I’ve changed that. Oh…and this summer I turned 70, my hair is only about 40% gray, I’m not overweight, and have a SUPER supportive wife which also helps.

OK…so I hope you’re all doing well and perhaps have a little boost of confidence that you can, at the very least, slow the progression.