[Mark]

Hey,

Thank you both for taking the time to respond, I’m very grateful and appreciative.

John – I think you’re spot on about GERD and it is something I’ve suspected for a while however I don’t tend to get noticeable reflux which makes me suspect I may have the LPR/silent reflux variety. This would also add up with when my indigestion and night eating syndrome symptoms began too. My biggest issue though is my dismissive GP and getting a diagnosis of this. It is possible to purchase ppi over the counter here however I wouldn’t want to go on medication for something I’m not certain I have and I know they can have long term side effects too. For now I think I’m best trying to tackle the night eating to begin with because this could be causing microaspiration and contributing. It’s easier said than down but for my long term health something I need to address.

 

In regards to cigarettes I know these can contribute to reflux too and I’ve actually taken action 3 days ago on this. I know it’s only a small thing but I’ve managed to get down to 3 a day for these last 3 days. Quitting would be better but at least this is a big improvement.

Not sure if I mentioned earlier but I also put alot of time into getting rid of any dust or mould in my house over the weekend too.

And then I’ve been making a point of going out on two walks a day, one at lunch and one after work. Again just small changes but I’m really trying to make the effort now to improve my health. Still encountering shortness of breath on uphill walking but going to continue persevering and im hoping with continuity IL begin to see improvements.

Regarding my liver this was another concern of mine as I know crrihosis can also cause pulmonary issues and alot of the time liver disease can go unnoticed, and rates are rising in the young. I got some blood tests last Thursday which I’ve still not been told the results of. I presume no news is good news as surely if there was something concerning my GP should of contacted me within a week. Also making an effort to try and eat healthier by incorporating more fruit/veg into my diet and replace snacks with stuff like yoghurt.

 
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Jeff – I’m from Northern Ireland myself so just across the water from you. I hope you’re keeping well and managing your IPF diagnosis. From reading around it sounds the treatment is much better these days with much better options.</p>
 

I guess for me my most concerning symptom which has sent me down this rabbit hole is my squawk. It’s such a unique sound. However I must say that while I still am experiencing it, the frequency and volume of it has reduced these last few days. But maybe this is just a placebo effect in my head. While im worried I’m also glad that I’m being thorough because hopefully at my age I can make changes like I am now to prevent the seriousness of any possible illness.

Think it may be worth me possibly changing to a different gp

 

[Mark]

Also one last comment.

Can I just say that I have so much admiration and respect for every patient and caregiver on these forums which have been putting up a fight against pulmonary fibrosis for the last number of years.

In the UK there isn’t really much awareness of IPF and when it comes to lungs it always appears to be lung cancer which gets the focus.

Due to my own ongoing scare and the research which ive done on IPF, I feel I have a much better understanding of these group of illnesses and a new found appreciation and understanding for those affected by these often invisible illnesses. Honestly it’s so inspiring reading through some of the forums and seeing the community spirit and defiance by the members against these awful illnesses.

And lastly I would just like to apologise if the final comments on my original post appear ageist in any way. In the UK we are very lucky to have public health care which is a god send for so many people in this country including myself. Unfortunately the current right wing conservative government have been doing their best to under fund the NHS over the last decade which has resulted in people like myself not getting the support we need. And sometimes it just gets frustrating because it feels that the younger you are, the more dismissive they are and less diagnostics performed.

[Mark]

One other symptom I forgot to mention is that since Jan 21 I have experienced small red blisters on my right hand middle and wedding finger. These appear from the web of my finger right up to the knuckle before the nail and can last a few weeks at a time. They tend to be under the skin. I got some cream from a pharmacy I apply a few times a day when I get flare ups and this tends to get rid of them.