Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis :(

so the doctors are pretty sure my dad has this. He went from breathing and looking fine about a month ago to extreme weight loss, shortness of breath and inability to move. Just wondering if anyone else out there has had friends or loved ones with this lung disease. I hate that the only possible option is a lung transplant. Survival without it is median 3-5 years.

 

Shoot Man! Im so sorry to hear that! He'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated and I hope all goes well!

 

Thanks. I hoping we get a different diagnosis after a biopsy and HRCT, but he fits all the symptoms of IPF and the doctor hasn't mentioned anything else he might have instead, so I'm feeling pretty hopeless at this point. I told my mom that we should get a second opinion from Vanderbilt first and if they confirm it, they should move him to their care center here. The only thing I hate is our insurance is making us pay 10% of the hospital bill, and I don't know how much Vandy would cost.

 

Lost my Mother in law to this three years ago.

 

I'm afraid to ask, but how long was her survival after diagnosis? What was her age? Did they make her do a 6 minute walk test?

Sorry for your loss. I am just now starting to understand what it feels like to have a family member go through this.

 

My Wife was diagnosed with stage 4 Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma. Got three different opinions and luckily the Dr. we went with saved her life. Our Insurance Coverage is the same as yours (90/10). It is definitely worth the money (we don't have much) to get the other opinions. It will be reassuring and they all have different perspectives on how to overcome a terrible disease. Wish you and your dad all the best.

 

She was 64. About a year after diagnosis. She got to where oxygen didn't help much. We would crank up the tank but her lungs just couldn't process it. Doctors gave her two weeks to two months and she passed after about four days.

 

My dad is 53. He went from being fine about a month ago to needing about 3 liters of oxygen. I hope he can make it for a while, but I hate seeing his quality of life go down the drain.

 

Keeping y'all in my thoughts.

 

Man I'm sorry to hear this...you have my thoughts.

 

I forgot I made this thread, but he passed away on May 1st. Still keep thinking about him a lot. My mom and I were there in his last moments.

 

So sorry for your loss.

 

Mitchell I'm sorry to hear it.

Lost my dad almost two years ago (June 10, 2014). Not a day goes by that I don't think of him.

 

Sorry to hear Mitchell, prayers sent for you and your family.