Forum Replies Created

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    May 13, 2023 at 4:07 pm in reply to: Life span

    Hello Everyone, I chime in to these discussions once in a while.

    I’m retired and will be turning 70 (Not Old) next month. I was diagnosed back in July of 2018 and was put on OFEV in January 2019. Just recently I’ve been able to cope with the side effects of this medication.

    My Mom died of this disease back in 2000, and back then there were no anti- fibrotic medications.

    The doctors treated her with Steroids, she lasted 10 years.

    As for me, at first I was a little depressed sitting at home by myself always on the computer looking up this IPF disease to see if there was anything new in way of a cure, but to no avail . So I said to myself, self, its time to get off your A$$ and do something rather than moping around. So I planted a vegetable garden in our backyard, and when I went to the Garden Center to buy our vegetables, I asked the owner for a job. Since I was in construction most of my life, I figured why not. I told the owner that I know how to drive dump trucks, and operate heavy equipment. He gave me the job on the spot. It’s a part-time gig, but at least it keeps my mind off of the inevitable. I meet new people every day and have a great time with the people  I work with. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. Basically we all have a cross to bear and this is ours. So live life to the fullest and do the best you can with what you are given. What I’m trying to say is that every person is different and responds differently to this disease. Find something you like to do and do it.

    By the way, I have to give my wife a special thanks for being there for me while I am going through this ordeal.

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    January 6, 2021 at 8:42 am in reply to: Dizziness and IPF

    Hi Charlene

    Happy New Year ! ?? Its been awhile since I chimed in with comment on a topic .

    Anyway just wanted to let you know that I too have these so called dizzy spells , slight headaches in the morning and have the same feeling of ” Not a Good Day ” some days. I have been checking my blood pressure regularly it seems to be ok but I booked an appointment with my Family doctor just make sure. She said that my blood pressure is fine and that should take it ” real slow” when getting out of bed in the morning and when I’m sitting or bent over position. So now I’m doing that but still some days I still get Dizzy.

    On Dec 8th I had an appointment with my Pulmonologist before seeing her I did the usual breathing tests which show that I have been keeping myself at the same level which is a good thing. But when I did the 6  minute walk test I was half way through it when I got dizzy and nearly fell over . The person in charge of doing the test grabbed me just in time and had me sit down on a chair. My doctor came to check asked a few questions and had me wheeled down to Emergency.  They did an ECG and it normal did blood work and found hemoglobin low wbc  high and hemacrit low . They also found that my Iron was low so the prescribed Iron pills. As for my dizziness I still get them not as often though .

    Now with this pandemic I dare not venture out plus I’m afraid to go out for a walk in case I get Dizzy again  I’m even afraid to go on the treadmill to exercise.  I really don’t think that the doctors have figured it out yet . In my honest opinion (we all have one) it’s the lack of Oxygen to the brain at night that cause all these weird feelings in the morning..

    Anyway just thought I would share my story on the topic .

    Sorry for the long read

    Sam Bilotta

    Btw just to let everyone else know my Mom had the same disease and symptoms 20yrs ago . Back then there was no OFEV all they prescribed was a high dose of steroids which made it worse for her . The Research on IPF has come a long way and it’s great to know that scientist out there are still at it. HOPE

    Sam

     

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 26, 2019 at 6:40 am in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hi John

    Thank you for the kind words. Its funny that you mention Niagra Falls.

    My wife and I are actually taking a trip down there this weekend to meet up with some relatives that live in Central New York State , its like a half way point for both parties :). I guess while I’m down there I might as well look up some Chiropractors that have a Class IV laser and see if they  have to say.

    Thanks Again

    Regards

    Sam

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 25, 2019 at 1:40 pm in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hi Dr. Hall

    Just want to give you an update about the Laser Therapy.

    Looks like I’m S.O.L.! . The only way that he will do Laser Therapy is first get a letter from my Pulmonologist (like thats going to happen) if its not part of her team of Drs. then she wont have anything to do with it. Get a letter from my family Dr. and I know she wont give me one cause she really doesn’t know too much on the IPF that’s why she sent me to the pulmonologist in the first place. If I do get a letter from any of my Drs. and that’ a big IF, he’ll need to get permission from The Ontario College of Chiropractors in order to perform the Laser Therapy on my lungs. He did say that he is going to get in touch with KLaser company to see if they know of any such treatment done by any other Drs. in Ontario and he will get in touch with me when he finds anything out.

    Thanks again for all your help Dr. Hall. Can”t say we didn’t try.

    Sincerely

    Sam

     

     

     

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 22, 2019 at 9:52 am in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hi Dr. Hall

    I Haven’t heard from you in a while. Hope everything is well .

    I not sure if you received my e-mail address. Please let me know.

    Thanks

    Regards

    Sam

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 18, 2019 at 6:22 pm in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hello Dr. Hall ( @drandyhall )

    Thank you so much for responding so quickly .

    here is my e-mail address

    [email protected]

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 18, 2019 at 10:54 am in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hi Charlene;

    I watched that video of UHN “BE AMAZED” and I was truly amazed at what goes on in behind the scenes at TGH.

    and you’re right about the fact that my Dr. is well connected. But sometimes I feel that she doesn’t do enough. I know that i’m not her only patient, but still. Anyway I wrote to Dr. Hall also about the laser therapy place close by my home. apparently they don’t do that kind of therapy .Maybe Dr. Hall can come up with some other suggestion or something that might help me explain to these people better.

    Take Care

    Sam

     

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 18, 2019 at 10:25 am in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hi Dr. Hall ( @drandyhall )

    I called the people at Angus Therapeutics, I explained my situation with I.P.F. and how had read up on the 4K Laser |Therapy. The receptionist (Tracey) wasn’t quite sure about it so she put me on hold for a minute. She came back on saying that she spoke to the Dr. there and he said that they don’t do this kind of therapy there. Maybe I didn’t explain myself properly, or they just don’t know enough about the subject.

    Again any help in this matter will be GREATLY appreciated .

    Regards

    Sam

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 16, 2019 at 11:09 am in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hi Charlene;

    Its a pleasure to meet you despite our circumstances. My pulmonologist is Dr. Anna Day and she works out of Womens College Hospital and is also part of a “TEAM” at TGH. Thanks to Dr. Andy Hall for providing me with some contacts, I will definitely be in contact with them sometime todayand will keep you and Dr. Hall updated on my progress.

    Btw Charelene are you also from the Toronto area?

    Thanks again we’ll keep in touch

    Sam Bilotta

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 16, 2019 at 11:00 am in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hello Dr. Andy Hall;

    I would like to thank you for the contacts that you have provided me with. I will be contacting the Angus Therapeutics since they are only about 1/2hr away from where I live in Innisfil. I will keep you informed on my progress with them. Thanks again

    Regards

    Sam Bilotta

  • sam-bilotta

    Member
    July 15, 2019 at 1:14 pm in reply to: Laser Therapy Results

    Hi Charlene

    My name is Sam Bilotta and I live just north of Toronto (Barrie) Ontario Canada. I’ve been diagnosed with IPF in July 2018. I’m currently on the OFEV  therapy (150mg) twice daily.  Reading your forum about Laser Therapy . I was wondering if you knew where in the Toronto area where I can go and give this 4k laser therapy  a try.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you

    Sam