[John Solomon]

Hello Mel;

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It is only recently that I came to know about Pulmonary Fibrosis News and am now a member. This is my first posting  I was initially diagnosed in 2012 but after that, my IPF has been sort of stable. It was not until mid-2019 that I had some severe symptoms of cough with mucus and did undergo a series of MRIs, Scans and X-Ray. I am now on Esbriet since Oct. 2019 – 3 tabs of 267mg each X 3 times daily. At times, I too have a loss of appetite and hate the sight of food, but I need to eat something as I am on this high medication. I have been going for pulmo rehab twice a week, but then due to the current health situation, the center has closed its offices since mid-March. I have one question and that is has anyone experienced any weakness in muscles in the back or in the arms? I am unable to keep my arms up for more than a minute when painful fatigue sets in. I even have difficulty when eating – the muscles in my next ache and I have to stop and wait for sometime till this sort of spasm subsides and then continue. I currently do not have a cough and this is controlled. I also have drying of the eyes though I do drink a lot of water. If any of the members are on Esbriet and have experienced such situations, I would like to know.

In one of the previous newsletters that I received, one of the members recommended that we read a book by Dr. Atul Gawande entitled “Being Mortal”. I have covered about 40 pages and it is a wonderful book which well written. It is available on Amazon. I would like to recommend this book.

Thank you.

John S.