Biography

I have just registered as a new member and am 73 years old. I was first diagnosed with IPF in Dec. 2012 and have been having regular MRIs every 6 months since then until 2016. During this period, there has been no real progression in my condition. It was not until mid 2018 that I began to feel the real symptoms of IPF with a real acute shortness of breath. I have had another series of X-rays and MRIs done and the tests have revealed that there has been not much but a slight progression in my condition. I also had a very bad cough with sputum which was opaque – unlike when one contracts a severe bronchitis or sore throat. However, since Oct. 2019, my pulmonologist has put me on Esbriet and am now on a full dose of 2,403 mg/day. I was also taking an anti-reflux medication once daily in the morning. I was also prescribed yet another anti-reflux medication to be taken at night and I feel that the combination of the Esbriet and the anti-reflux drug has helped me and I now have practically no cough at all and no sputum. I feel more comfortable and also sleep better at night.

My question is: under the current situation that the entire world is going through, does Esbriet help in such situation as what the drug does is to suppress the progression of IPF. I have now confined myself to the house and have not ventured out for the last two weeks (since Mar. 18). In addition, I was advised a course of 24 pulmo rehab sessions but have completed just 9 of them as the facility had to shut down.  Any information on the effectiveness of Esbriet on the current condition is very much appreciated. Thank you all and stay safe!