Denise Stogdill

Yes Mack.  Mine has and I’m having to now take blood pressure medicine!  Historically, I’ve always had low blood pressure.  Last year, I was diagnosed with NSIP and Bronchiectasis.  At the same time, I was diagnosed with HBP. I was 63 years old.  The hits just keep on coming!

Thank you Wanda and Marianne for your information.  I’m currently speaking with Genentech about the programs available.

Hi Brenda, I live in the states and I’m having a hard time getting the prescription filled.  My doctor has now changed my medication to Ofev.  I guess he thinks they might fill one over the other.  Even though Ofev is supposed to be cheaper it’s still expensive so we’ll see how I make out.

Thank you for your feedback!  I will research with Genentech.

I started rehab shortly after I was diagnosed.  I didn’t know what to expect.  At my rehab, we do breathing exercises, aerobic exercises and weight strengthening exercises.  At first, I couldn’t do very much but after a couple of months I have increased in repitition and resistance on the different exercises!  My breathing and endurance have in…[Read more]

I have RA-ILD.  I use albuterol and it helps open up my bronchial.

Hi Christie,  two weeks after my diagnosis of PF, I took ALL of our important documents, organized them and put them in an organ folder under respective tabs so that when my time comes it will be easy for my family to find the necessary documents.  My husband and my son both know where they are.  We’ve had wills and medical directives for over…[Read more]

I’m not on anti fibrotics but my doctor does not want me to drink.  He says there’s to much sugar in alcohol and i need to stay away from alcohol to keep my inflammation low.  He’s also taken me off of Tylenol which was my go to for arthritic pain.  He says Aleve is easier on the kidneys.

Thanks for your feedback James.  I’m sorry you and your wife caught COVID but I’m glad to hear that you made it through without any major issues!  It gives me hope should I catch COVID.  I always worry about the respiratory issue being the most complicated but in your case that wasn’t so.  Keep up your speedy recovery.  Thanks!

Hi everyone, my rheumatologist has me on 1000mcg of cellcept and a Rituxan infusion every 4 months.  When I have a flare up she prescribes a z pack of prednisone tapering off in 5 days.  When I do these I have issues sleeping, and shakiness.  After a couple of weeks of being off of the prednisone I go back to what’s normal for me.  I have PF cause…[Read more]

Hi Amber,

If I were you I would get a second opinion.  I take cellcept all the time and every now and then take prednisone for flare ups.  Both my rheumatologist and pulmonologist agreed that I should do my COVID vaccines as well as my flu, pneumonia and shingles vaccines.  Up to date I’ve had three COVID vaccines, a flu vaccine and a pneu…[Read more]

Hi Charlene, at my previous place of work they designated a room in the building for smokers.  This was great except that there was so much smoke in the room when they opened the door the smoke billowed out of the room into the area.  While you didn’t have to deal with smoke as much you still had to deal with the smell.  Good luck with this chal…[Read more]

Hi Debra, glad to hear that you are getting better and didn’t require hospitalization or oxygen!  I just got my booster.  I hope it lasts longer than the second dosage.

Hi all, I have finally received my “booster” vaccine and so far so good.  The fact that I have PF made me eligible.  There is so much information out there that I feel like it’s sometimes a shot in the dark as to what we should do to treat our illness!  I hope that we can get better information as time goes on!

Hi everyone, I wear a medical bracelet which I purchased at Laurens Hope.  It’s great because it looks like jewelry so people don’t ask me about it.  They compliment the bracelet as if it were jewelry.

Hi Bob, sorry to hear that you have contracted COVID!  What kind of infusion are you getting?  Hope you get well soon!

Sorry to hear about your friends mom!  That is so sad!  However, the information for the dad helps.  You hear people say that if you’re vaccinated you won’t die – you’ll just get sick.  I’m glad to hear that her dad has made it through even though he has COPD.  It gives me hope. I’ve been vaccinated but I’m doing Rituxan infusions for my RA so my…[Read more]

Thanks Marisa!  Sorry to hear about your husband!  What is a monoclonal infusion and what does that do for you?