Biography

Diagnosed with a chest Cat scan with IPF in 2017 after experiencing shortness of breath when exercising. Symptoms are complicated by having bad allergies. I have six monthly pulmonary testing appointments before seeing the Pulmonologist. The last one Dec 2019 showed a decrease in lung function and there was a suggestion I might be given steroids but it was decided to have another test in fourth months to check lung function. Anxious to see if disease is progressing. I now realize I must take this diagnosis seriously and want to do everything I can to delay the onset of the inevitable decline. I had a virus in Dec after seeing the Dr. which exhausted me and I experienced chills and fatigue for two months. No fever or other symptoms. I am curious about whether my reaction was exacerbated because of IPF? At 72, and with an active lifestyle I’m suddenly experiencing joint pain. Aging quite possibly, but it all seemed to happen within a year. Any comments as advice. I’m finding it difficult to differentiate between allergies and IPF symptoms.