[Janis Bunch]

Hi again, Charlotte,
Thank you for your kind words. It is hard losing all your siblings. I was a late in life baby and my eldest brother was 24 and was married with a baby when I was born. The youngest was 16. I was unexpected, to say the least. 😉  When I was young my brothers were more like uncles but when I got older we became closer. I really miss them.
My heart attacks were 15 years and six years ago. Mine are somewhat atypical, I don’t get crushing pain. I get an odd fluttering sensation in my upper chest and extreme fatigue. My youngest brother had a heart attack with no pain at all, he just passed out. After finding out I’d had a heart attack, he went to his doctor and his heart attack was diagnosed and he had a bypass several weeks later.
I will certainly let you know what the doctor says about the celiac disease. That diet is just so hard to follow! It takes such a small amount of gluten to undo all the good following the diet has done. I don’t really feel better on the celiac diet. I am anemic due to celiac but take iron for that. I would be more motivated to be compliant on the diet if it made a difference.
Regarding the Vitamin D, my doctor advised me to take Vitamin D supplements. She thought it was a good idea, living in Western Washington state with so much rain. And now that I take Esbriet and must use SPF 50 sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as possible, I am sure it is even more important now.
I am so sorry to hear about your accident and subsequent pain. Have you had x-rays done? Did your doctor prescribe physical therapy?
I absolutely love your article about dogs! It is so very true, mine give my life purpose. I live alone and they are the reason I get out of bed every day. And they do try so hard to make us feel better when we are down. They make me laugh every single day. My life would be empty without them.
I had a good day today and hope you did, too. I enjoy your remarks and am glad I have found this forum.
Janis 🙂

 

[Janis Bunch]

Hi all,
I have chronic sinusitis which results in mucus/phlegm almost all the time. I have found that using a Neti pot twice a day, saline nasal spray throughout the day, and Flonase 1 spray 2 x day does help. I also take guaifenesin twice a day and generic Zyrtec each day.
Janis

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Aishia
Thanks, I am feeling a lot better tonight. It was the first time being sick since being diagnosed and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Luckily, not too bad, just a regular cold. 🙂
I am 56 and divorced, and I have one grown son, Michael, who is 31.  He has a wonderful girlfriend, Amber, who has a little 9-year-old girl, Aubree. Love them to bits. I’ve been disabled for a number of years due to other health problems aside from UIP? NSIP?, which I was diagnosed with in January after having pneumonia for 5 weeks. My dad and brother both passed away from asbestosis, so there is apparently a genetic factor in my illness. I worked as an Executive Assistant for a low-income housing agency most recently. I like to garden and crochet and love the beach. I have four Pekingese, they are my babies.  Three of the four are rescues.
The weather was beautiful today here, too. I am happy you were able to get out and enjoy it. Tomorrow our temperature is forecast to be 70+ :O
Tell me more about yourself. I am so happy to get to know you, and yes, we are so much more than just our diagnoses.
Janis xoxo

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Charlene,
Right now it’s hard for me to gauge how much Esbriet might be helping, Unfortunately, I am suffering from a cold. 🙁  Thinking (hopefully) I may have turned a corner and have begun improving. 🙂
I am hopeful that  Aishia and I may become great supports for one another, we do seem to have a lot in common. I wish we all lived close together, too.
I am new at posting in these forums, so if I am not following any guidelines or norms, please let me know
Thanks for your response!
Janis

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Aishia,
It’s so nice to meet you. I wonder if my diagnosis will also be changed to NSIP? You didn’t have to undergo a lung biopsy? My pulmonologist told me that I will probably have to have one.
Just knowing that you have been to UWMC and feel like you received great care makes me feel more confident.
Do you live in the Seattle area? I live south of Olympia.
Thanks for the warm welcome! 🙂
Janis

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Charlotte,
No, I am not on supplemental oxygen at this time. But I was wondering if your oxygen has a humidifier? I think the saline nasal mist would be comforting. My sinuses were burning when I had a cold recently and the nasal spray helped.
Take care,
Janis

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Charlotte,
I have been prescribed statins because of two heart attacks. My family history is terrible, with my three brothers also affected. One brother had a massive heart attack and died at 36. My two other brothers had bypass surgeries. One passed away from the heart disease and the other from asbestosis. I have had several angioplasties and have eight stents.  I also have insulin dependent Type II diabetes, among other illnesses. Oh, and I do have two auto-immune diseases – Celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I am not compliant with my celiac diet but plan on asking my doctor if that would impact my UIP. I think it might because it probably affects inflammation. I doubt that considering my health history,  I would ever be considered for a lung transplant.
I was also diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency many years ago, and took the mega dose for 12 weeks, I believe. I take 5000 IU of Vitamin D per day.
How fun that you, Aishia and I all enjoy pets so much! You have a sweetheart of a breed, too! <3
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
Janis

 

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Aishia,
It sounds like you have a wonderful family, both furry and not. 😉  Your dogs sound wonderful, they are such nice breeds. Mine are rescues, except one I got as a puppy. None are show quality in any sense of the word but I think they are beautiful and they keep me going!
I went to college for training to be a medical transcriptionist but ended up working in low-income housing. I do have a great interest in healthcare in general. It is so fantastic that you can work from home!
You are a very busy lady. But what a wonderful goal to work toward, a certified midwife. I can’t imagine a more fulfilling career. You also have a lot of interesting hobbies.
Thanks for sharing your personal information, it is great to get to know you better.
Janis 🙂

 

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Charlene,
My dad worked in the shipyards during WWII and was exposed to a lot of asbestos. My brother, we are not so sure. He worked in wood mills and a pulp mill, so he was exposed to wood dust and chlorine. Also, not sure about mine, I worked near blueprint machines, which use ammonia, for 7 or so years. I’ve seen some conflicting information about statins, which I have taken for 10+ years. My primary care doctor really sat up and took notice when I told him about family history, he wasn’t seriously considering pulmonary fibrosis. He decided to refer me to my pulmonologist and further testing confirmed my diagnosis.
I love to watch it snow, but not keen on driving in it! We don’t get much here and everyone kind of freaks out about driving! lol I hope you are all tucked in, nice and cozy! <3
Janis xoxo

[Janis Bunch]

Hi Aisha,
I was diagnosed with Usual Interstitial Pneumonitis on January 23, 2018 and am taking Esbriet, now at the full dosage. I haven’t had any ill effects from it, but make sure to take it with food. My pulmonologist also has referred me to UWMC Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic for additional testing. He and a colleague discussed my case and think I may actually have Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonitis. I am waiting for the referral to be approved.  I hope your appointment is helpful!