Nanzy
Forum Replies Created
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Even though my mother also had IPF, they don’t believe mine is familial. I don’t get that, but my siblings are all aware of the disease and have informed their physicians. They do insist on X-rays when experiencing lingering coughing, etc. they are being proactive.
One of my theories is environmental. My mom was German, born in the early 40’s during the war. There is no telling what was in the air. I have always had issues after dealing with plant mulch for my flower beds. It would lead to prolonged time periods of coughing and irritation. Just my thoughts!!
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Even though my mother also had IPF, they don’t believe mine is familial. I don’t get that, but my siblings are all aware of the disease and have informed their physicians. They do insist on X-rays when experiencing lingering coughing, etc. they are being proactive.
One of my theories is environmental. My mom was German, born in the early 40’s during the war. There is no telling what was in the air. I have always had issues after dealing with plant mulch for my flower beds. It would lead to prolonged time periods of coughing and irritation. Just my thoughts!!
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I was diagnosed about a year ago just after retiring at age 58. In some ways I consider myself fortunate in that I was familiar with the disease because my mother had died six years previously at age 70 due to complications of cardiac arrest and pulmonary fibrosis. Unfortunately she was treated for COPD rather than the pulmonary fibrosis. I had the dry constant cough, sounding just like my mom had years before her death. A diagnosis of pulmonary edema sent me to a cardiologist who game me a clean bill of Heath heart-wise. I insisted on a referral to a pulmonologist who did a CAT Scan and an outpatient lung biopsy – both were inconclusive for IPF. A lung biopsy was performed and the IPF was confirmed. My family and I feel that my mom has saved my life due to an early diagnosis.
I have been on OFEV since the diagnosis and have not shown a decline based on the six minute walks. I don’t need oxygen right now, but I found that the heat and humidity in Louisiana make it more difficult to breathe.
My pulmonologist has referred me for the initial lung transplant evaluation. I pray the OFEV continues to work in keeping me ‘stable’ so that a transplant is years away! Except for the occasional shortness of breath and cough, I would never know I have IPF.
Has anyone else been prescribed OFEV? Has it helped?