Since my 2016 IPF diagnosis, so much has changed for me. I can no longer participate in the sports I once enjoyed or go for a run to channel my energy or frustrations with the day. I can no longer maintain the social schedule I was so fond…
Sometimes I Feel Like 2 Completely Different People
Formaldehyde, a chemical widely used in construction, health, and manufacturing industries, was seen to worsen lung inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a Brazilian study reports. In mice lungs, the chemical was found to increase the amount of collagen, a protein responsible for tissue…
This is an ongoing series. Read the May 2018 entry here. Here it is: my gratitude miniseries column for June 2018. This means that we’re halfway through the year and, overall, I’d say it has been a better one for me, compared to the past few years. That isn’t…
A common oral medication for type 2 diabetes called metformin was seen to quickly reverse pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model of the disease and lessen fibrosis in lung tissue of PF patients, a study reports, adding that similar compounds might have similar benefits. The research, “Metformin reverses…
Hello PF friends! I would so appreciate your input regarding a heartfelt project I’m considering. For about a year I’ve been pondering finishing a book to help patients like me deal with being diagnosed with a terminal illness. I started this book a year ago but set it…
Galectin Therapeutics was issued a patent for its lead investigative therapy GR-MD-02 for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the company announced. GR-MD-02 is a carbohydrate-based medicine that binds and stops the action of the galectin-3 protein, which is directly involved in multiple…
Since being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in early 2016, I’ve had to ask for or accept help on multiple occasions. I am always appreciative of offers of help following an acute event such as an exacerbation, illness, or prolonged hospital stay due to my poor…
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has launched its Oxygen Information Line to provide information and resources to help people using supplemental oxygen and their caregivers. Using the line, people can get reliable advice about which oxygen delivery system to use, how to manage flow settings, and how to ensure safety.
For patients living with a life-threatening illness, adjusting to change and reevaluating our abilities is an ongoing task. This is because the progression of our disease causes physical limitations and restrictions and our values may change over time. When our physical capabilities change, it is important to consider…
Mediaplanet, a content marketing company, recently launched a “Personal Health” campaign that helps to raise awareness of different forms of lung disease, from pulmonary fibrosis and cancer to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. According to a press release, the campaign — which covers other chronic diseases…
