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What is Lung Fibrosis?

Bryan Pedersen
Bryan Pedersen

Lung fibrosis, also known as pulmonary fibrosis, is a serious medical condition that involves scarring of the lung tissue. This condition occurs when the alveoli, or air sacs, become inflamed and develop scars on the lung tissue in an attempt to repair themselves. There is no known cure or way to reverse the scarring on the lungs, so treatment typically involves slowing the progression of the condition or, in severe cases, a lung transplant. This condition affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and is often fatal within three to five years after diagnosis.

Effects and Symptoms

Those with lung fibrosis often need supplemental oxygen, since their lung tissue is permanently scarred.
Those with lung fibrosis often need supplemental oxygen, since their lung tissue is permanently scarred.

Alveoli help the lungs breathe and release carbon dioxide. When the air sacs are scarred, the lung tissue is gradually replaced by fibrous tissue, which is made of bundles of fibers. Fibrous tissue is thicker and stiffer, so it prevents the air sacs from inhaling oxygen. This causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic dry cough, fatigue and discomfort in the chest. An inflammation of the lung tissue is often the first sign of this disease.

Miners are often at risk for lung fibrosis.
Miners are often at risk for lung fibrosis.

The scarring of the lung tissue results in the permanent reduction in the ability to supply oxygen to the body. The more that scarring of the tissue occurs, the less the patient is able to breathe properly. If left untreated, the condition will continue to progress, making it more and more difficult for the patient to breathe properly.

Causes

There are many potential causes of lung fibrosis. Inhaling asbestos, ground stone or metal dust are possible causes. Sarcoidosis, which is an inflammatory disease, and certain medications also might be causes. In the majority of cases, however, the cause is unknown. When the cause cannot be determined, the condition is called idiopathic lung fibrosis.

Risk Factors

Medical professionals examine chest X-rays for indications of lung fibrosis.
Medical professionals examine chest X-rays for indications of lung fibrosis.

One of the primary risk factors for lung fibrosis is smoking, which greatly increases a person's chances of getting the condition. Working in industries where air pollution is common, such as construction, farming or mining, also can put a person at risk for this disease. Undergoing cancer treatment is believed to increase a person's chances as well. Genetics also is believed to play a role, and older people are more likely to develop this condition.

Diagnosis

People who work in industries where air pollution is common are at risk for developing lung fibrosis.
People who work in industries where air pollution is common are at risk for developing lung fibrosis.

To properly diagnose lung fibrosis, a careful examination of the patient's medical and personal history must be performed. A healthcare professional might look at things such as the patient's environmental and occupational history, hobbies and use of legal and illegal drugs. Blood tests, chest X-rays, a bronchoscopy to view inside the lungs and a lung biopsy are among the tests that might be performed, depending on stage of the disease. A lung biopsy is considered to be the most effective test for lung fibrosis, and it involves a sample of lung tissue being removed for further examination and testing.

Treatment

Scarring of lung tissue is known as lung fibrosis.
Scarring of lung tissue is known as lung fibrosis.

As of 2012, there was no known cure for lung fibrosis, and treatment is often unsuccessful. One reason for this might be because the cause is often not known. Among the treatments that are often used are supplemental oxygen, drug treatments and lung transplants. These treatments sometimes help prolong the patient's life, but the condition still might progressively worsen.

Discussion Comments

anon993019

Because of an unrelated disease, I've been taking methergine for five years. Methergine is an ergotamine, and ergotamines are known to cause fibrosis. I receive three tests twice a year after 4 week methergine holidays: chest x-Ray, abdominal MRI, and cardiac ultrasound. What I wonder is whether these tests are sufficient to the work of diagnosis or not. I've had asthma for decades.

I realize that here I'm someone wondering about getting the disease, and most of you have it, or you have a very loved someone who has it or has lost your very loved someone to it.

I hope that you all receive the best possible in each of your varying situations.

anon979351

Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease, that has a profound effect on the whole family. My brother died at the age of 55 years old. He had some very vague symptoms for about three years: discoloration of legs, getting tired quickly. They ran tests, but said he was pretty healthy. In Jan. 2013 he was diagnosed with PF. In August he went on O2 as needed. By September, he could not take the O2 off. By November, he was bedridden and in February 2014, he died. My heart goes out to anyone who has been diagnosed with this disease. My prayers go out to you.

anon958603

@ Post #60: Buzzword diagnosis causes far more harm than misdiagnosis.

"Silica" is fundamentally silicon dioxide, and occurs in everything from beach sand to volcanic dust to plants. Swallowing silica/silicates (within reason, you don't want to eat glass or swallow a lot of much sand) is essentially harmless, while silica dust can easily be quickly lethal (such as volcanic dust) or slowly lethal (due to scarring and encapsulation) caused by silicates such as asbestos.

anon958602

@Post 64: "This device can eliminate scars on the exterior of the body, so it might be able to do so for scars inside the lungs."

No it can't. Enalgic is a scam which should be shut down."Alkaline water" and "division of stem cells" are meaningless drivel.

anon958590

@ post2: "Is pulmonary fibrosis a communicable disease like TB?" No. PF is physical damage, not pathogenic.

anon938448

I was diagnosed with PF a couple of weeks ago after a year of noticing issues with my breathing, especially when exercising and playing sports. I went to a pulmonologist the middle of last year and wasted a lot of time and medication (high doses of prednisone and antibiotics) for months. After all that time, he couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting better. One of the first things he had ruled out was PF because he didn't hear any crackling in my lungs and the bronchoscopy showed no lung scarring.

So, when I went to a local university for a second opinion, I really wasn't worried. But the new pulmonologist said he did hear crackling and that with my X-rays and CT scans, he concluded I had pulmonary fibrosis. He told me to stop taking the antibiotics immediately and instead put me on immunosuppressants, which definitely seem to be helping my breathlessness, but I still have problems playing sports.

I'm under 40 not a smoker and lead a healthy and active lifestyle so I'm shocked and saddened that I may be dead before I even get to see my son graduate from college or even high school.

I suppose enough people aren't affected by it for it to be profitable enough to find a cure or at the minimum an effective treatment. Funding for this disease is almost non existent and it just seems no one cares enough, which is the most frustrating thing.

I still try to play sports weekly and I'm still able to work, which is good, so when it's my time to go, at least my family will be taken care of financially.

I am finally in the final stage of grief, which is acceptance. I'm not afraid of dying itself -- just the suffering.

anon327897

My best friend passed four weeks ago because of this disease. She was only 18. She had to move to another location because the air here is too thin.

We were close. We always had lunch together, but she had to stop school because of this. I wasn't able to see her for months. I wasn't able to visit her because I was busy with school.

She would often leave me and my friends a message asking us to visit her sometime. We said we would during our summer break. So she waited for us.

Months later, she updated us about her condition. She said that she was getting worse, that she was having heart problems already and that she was losing weight.

According to her mom, her last wish was to see her friends. My friends and I still couldn't come that time because it was our finals week (just one more week until we could see her). So they hired an ambulance to get her here (I did not know this). But on the way, she passed.

In early March, I got a text message saying she was gone. Now I hate myself for not taking the time to visit her. I hate myself for not spending time with her, for not being there for her. All she wanted was to see us. All she wanted was to spend time with us.

My friend fought. She was a real fighter. I admire her for her courage and perseverance. She accepted what she had and never blamed God for it. She was strong. We were not.

My heart goes out to those who have this disease and to those whose loved ones are suffering because of this disease, we do not know our time.

My advice: let them enjoy their lives while they can. Spend time with them. Cherish every second you have with them. That way, they won’t suffer. That way, you won’t have regrets. Carpe diem.

anon327741

I have a fibrosis on the lower left of my lung according to my X-ray. What does it mean? Am I not qualified to work? I am applying to work abroad.

anon311376

I lost my dad to this about one month ago. He lasted a good while, but my dad got this through mining but he had other diseases alongside of it. A lot of the problem was to do with phlegm and not being able to get it up as it was blocking the airways.

anon305700

I have just been diagnosed. I am frightened.

anon304592

@anon191926: I have read this post, and as far as I know Silica does not cause lung problems in tablet form but it could if inhaled.

anon303741

I'm 25 and i have pulmonary fibrosis and I never smoke. Well the air in the Philippines is pretty dirty, after all.

anon286734

My mother has fatigue and a dry cough and also has moisture in her lungs. What's the best possible remedy?

anon254000

I can not find any article on staying employed with pulmonary fibrosis. Can anyone help. --Stu

anon230391

This device can eliminate scars on the exterior of the body, so it might be able to do so for scars inside the lungs.

If the body's repair functions can be boosted before scarring takes effect then damage can be limited. Alkaline water created from electrolysis devices like those marketed by Enagic increase the division of stem cells needed to repair damaged tissue.

anon226965

I was just told by my doctor that I have a lot of scars on my lungs. I am trying inhalers and antibiotic but there is still a lot of dry coughing. This is scary.

anon196330

I have heard that lung fibrosis is curable through pranayama. This is a breathing exercise which is spoken of in the ancient Indian vedas. But it should be done under the supervision of a trained yoga teacher only. It cures all kinds of lung and other respiratory diseases.

If you look up the word pranayama, a lot of pages will come up. There are many variations to this exercise like kapalbhati, sheetali, bhramari, bhastrika etc. Just look it up and consult a yoga teacher.

anon194036

My granddaughter was just diagnosed with inflammation taking over the airways of her little lungs. she is seven months old. has anyone else had a little one with this? we have one of the best doctors at children's hospital. please post and please leave a message. we need to work fast to help her. they are starting antibiotics and steroids now. the cause is unknown.

anon191926

My parent was recently diagnosed with this disease. As I was reading a list of known causes pamphlet from the doctor I noticed "silica" listed. I was immediately suspicious of the daily ibuprofen they (my parent) had been taking daily for years for back pain, as a possible thing that sped up this disease and bingo, listed as a filler was silica. The American public needs to be aware that this is a common filler used in pills, and possible cause, it is not used in gel caps, I would take gel caps and read all labels of vitamins, just to be on the safe side.

anon185460

I am very pleased with this page because I know what lung fibrosis is. Unfortunately my grandpa died because of this fibrosis. Is not there any cure which can prevent a person who has lung fibrosis from dying?

anon180777

Reading this thread has devastated me. Dad has been struggling to breathe for two years and was being treated for congestive heart failure.

The specialists have let him down badly and only just diagnosed him with fibrosis of the lungs. It's six months since the diagnosis and he still hasn't received any treatment at all. It's so frustrating and I feel like they have given up on him already. What is the usual age cut off for a lung transplant, he is 74?

anon170185

My aunt was just diagnosed with lung fibrosis, which was treated as pneumonia. Now it's so far gone that they can only focus on quality of life rather than quantity. She is 86 years old and I'm afraid of what the future holds and how she will cope living by herself.

anon169487

A good friend of mine has had fibrosis for about five or six years now. We took her to the hospital a couple of days ago and the doctor said she has pneumonia and treated her with steroids and antibiotics.

The doctor only gives her six months so he will be sending her home with oxygen, a hospital bed and a nurse. We offered to take care of her, but she thinks it better that the nurse be there for her. she's a very strong lady and we love her dearly.

anon164454

I have lung fibrosis disease. I think I got it because I worked in the post office and I handled dirty sacks of mail, with newspapers in them. Also the room was so smoke filled that when I went home I not only had to take a shower but I had to wash my hair every night. Now I have trouble breathing and cough up a lot of blood, but the doctors say they cannot help me.

anon163417

My mom has been diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs and i am very tense about it. I always want to cry but i can't do that. May Allah cure her if it is his will. Anything is possible if we have faith in God. I hope she will be all right, may Allah give her good health, Inshallah.

anon161790

well, i just got diagnosed with this. i am 48 and don't know where this comes from. time will tell.

anon156395

My Grandma passed away from this horrible disease lung fibrosis, just like my uncle in law. We need answers for this cure. Pray for your families, give them hope and make them happy.

anon154318

My grandmother has been battling pulmonary fibrosis for eight years now. The prognosis was six months from the time she was diagnosed as of now every time she sees the doctor the prognosis is six months. There is hope. God bless!

anon150724

it's good to see that I am not the only one in this. my mum was diagnosed with this disease earlier last year. i was devastated when i learned that it no cure. she was admitted in the hospital for only thirteen days then she passed away. it's so painful for me.

anon148658

I'm just back from the hospital with my dad as he had pneumonia at christmas and he was due for his check ups today. we were told that there was some cloudy specs still and if they don't go away, then it could possibly be lung fibrosis. he is 62 years of age. What is the future going to be like for him?

anon139483

I was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis in 1998 and also under went tests on my lungs which showed lung fibrosis, I have tried lots of immunosuppressants but unfortunately cannot tolerate them.

I had a course of cyclophosphamide and have had seven nine good years but I have now had two lung infections in three weeks this one very bad and now have inflammation on my lungs.

I am hoping to get over this waiting to see my specialist on Monday after completion of antibiotics and 30mg steroids a day for a week.

anon131295

i am 25 years old and was diagnosed with lung fibrosis yesterday. i started having severe lung infections, one after another for the past six months, but was only treated as pneumonia or bronchitis. however, i have an underlying problem, ankylosing spondylitis. According to my doctor, lung fibrosis is co-related with AS. i was told to start on steroids and then immunosuppressants. are there any alternatives available besides steroids and immunosuppressants? yvfr

anon128741

I was involved in a terrible car accident in 1986. I was placed on a respirator for 72 days, both lungs collapsed, 13 chest tubes placed in order to drain fluid. I was in intensive care unit at Georgia Baptist Medical Center (they have a different name now) had cardiac arrest five times, was released from the hospital in March of 1987 but diagnosed with bronchiectasis.

I went back to the Philippines and am still here as a missionary. I've been married since then, three children already--our eldest is 18, youngest is 9. I am working on my doctorate degree in education.

Yes, I get lung infections, I've been in the hospital four times since 1996. Not wearing oxygen even at night time anymore but we still have a reserve tank at home. I maintain with seretide two puffs in the morning.

Thank you God for another string on life to serve you!

There is hope.

anon119333

i had never heard of fibrosis before my granda was diagnosed with it. we were told that with medication he would manage. But five months later he was rushed to hospital and all his organs started to fail. he was in intensive care for nine days and sadly passed away.

there is not a day that goes by that i don't think about him and hope somewhere he is watching over us. I really really miss him and my heart aches. I will never forget him.

anon102370

I'm 31 years old and i got diagnosed last year. It took 10 years for them to realize that i had it after i got my second hit which sped it up. i got the disease after i had my first child. my lungs shut down and filled with infection and as a result scarring had started. after my second hit (which was pneumonia), my lung function is at 39 percent. it is good to know that I'm not the only one with this disease.

anon101548

Wow, I just stumbled on these testimonies while trying to find out what lung fibrosis is since I will be evaluated for it tomorrow. I am 37 and have taught in an old school building with black mold. I suffered from acute bronchitis for over three months. Now, I have a weird breathing pattern.

anon94433

Being a nutritional consultant i think best way to fight lung fibrosis is to increase the immunity of body by natural whole food supplements(from good company). this will help the person to suffer less without any side effects.

anon91852

My mother died from lung fibrosis, and she suffered from it!

Last June she had her first lung infection and she was treated in the hospital. She went back home but this time had to hire an oxygen machine which she used overnight and some hours during the day.

Her quality of life changed completely.

In January 2010 she had her second, more severe lung infection, and we took her to the hospital again but this time she didn't make it. She died within ten days.

I miss her so much. I really hope she is well wherever she is.

I have never experienced such a sharp pain before. Losing someone so close to you and seeing them suffering from this awful illness is a traumatic experience for sure.

So many times when I was with by her side I wanted to breathe for her instead. She suffered so much and knew that she was going to die very soon. She said that to me a few times.

I hope that one day they'll be able to find a cure for lung fibrosis, or find a way to prolong life without one suffering so much.

It must an awful feeling not being able to breathe.

anon91008

my wife has the disease of lungs called fibrosis. She has already had too much treatment, but it is not curable. Please help me. what I can do?

anon89453

My next door neighbor was diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs last year and has just recently passed away aged 59 years.

She lived a peaceful and happy life and her cause of the disease is still not known. She was referred for tests and found the fibrosis was of medium severity and she became short of breath, collapsed a few times and then was referred to hospital, discharged herself and passed away days later. It's terrible.

anon84259

I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in April, 2006, although I had been sick for several years.

I had been treated for allergies, anxiety, congestive heart failure, hypertension, told I was obsessive and it was all in my head.

For 29 years I worked for a pool company where the chemicals were stored on site in the same building with improper ventilation. When I complained about it, I was told to stop complaining (not that nicely).

I also have primary and secondary lymphedema which, along with the lack of oxygen, increased the progression of this disease. When I got an infection in my legs, I literally stumbled onto a doctor who was familiar with the lymphedema and began treating me for that, but I still had other issues and he diagnosed the fibrosis.

I have 20 percent lung capacity and feel blessed to have finally found a doctor who treats me very well.

Today, for the first time I met with a home health care nurse and we are going to try physical therapy, also go back to light wraps on my legs.

I am happy to know what is really wrong with me and that I am not obsessive and "all in my head". I am sad to know that for 20 years I was very sick and was treated so badly by some of the medical profession, as well as the employer who said he could not run his business without me.

Guess what? He still has a business, but he has gone a real far away distance from me, and it hurts to know that people can be so cruel.

I have always had an active life, with my family as well as the community. My life has changed, my family suffers from the change, and I thank God for his goodness to me.

anon78052

my grandad has just got out of hospital after being told he has lung fibrosis, and being the proud man he is, doesn't want to give up doing any of the activities he does, especially his garden. That is going to be the hardest thing for him to cope with having this disease -- losing his freedom to do what he wants.

i feel for people who have this horrible disease, and for their families, but all we can do is be there for the sufferers, and help them as best we can.

love you grandad.

anon77137

what is lingular fibrosis? I can't seem to find much info?

anon74481

is it possible to cure lung fibrosis at the age of 42 years? my mom is 42 and is suffering from this killer disease since 10 years! There are no proper cures available here (in india). Please suggest to me what to do?

anon69790

My father, 79 years old, was recently diagnosed with lung fibrosis. He has always been a hard working man, and always one to finish what he started no matter how long it took. Now this disease.

In october of 2009, he started losing weight. We made an appointment with his doctor, and they put him on antibiotic after antibiotic, and put him on inhalers but nothing seemed to help. Then he was referred to a lung specialist and they took samples of stuff he would cough up and took scans and x-rays. They told us of the fibrosis and also said he had a yeast infection in his lungs.

They put him on meds to clear the yeast infection and wanted to do a bronchoscopy to get a closer look. When the procedure was over, they said the yeast infection was gone but he definitely had lung fibrosis with no cure.

He also has an aneurysm and said they couldn't do surgery to take care of it because my Dad's lungs were not strong enough for him to make it through the surgery and his lungs would never get any stronger than what they are.

I have accepted that my Dad has this disease and watched him rapidly lose weight over the past few months, but will not let this disease win without a fight. I cook supper for him and my mother every day, and he is eating more, getting a little stronger everyday, and even on warm days, is starting to get out and walk around a little.

He looks a lot better and even says he feels better. He does have oxygen at home and a travel pack for help, but I refuse to let him give up without a fight and doing everything I can to see to that.

He does have some anxiety at times, mostly at night, so the doctor put him on Xanax, but the only thing with that is if he takes more than a 1/4 of the pill, he will sleep until 11:00 or 12:00 the next day. That's not good because he has missed breakfast, and can't afford to miss any meals at all. He tries to make it without the meds, but at night I don't have a problem with him taking them, but during the day, it's just too much. If he says he doesn't need them, he shouldn't take them, right?

The weather has been really nice the past few days, and instead of him lying in the bed, he wants to get up, and go outside. That's a positive thing right? We got those Carnation breakfast drink mixes, and he is drinking one of those every night with his supper. We tried Ensure, Dan-active, etc., and he would not drink them. This drink is full of vitamins, and tastes good too. "The colder the better", that's what Dad said, so I make sure I put it in the freezer and get it slushy for him.

My heart goes out to each and every one of you whose lives have been touched with this disease and even though I may not know you, I say prayers every day. Stay strong and never give up hope. There may not be a cure, but maybe there are ways to make something in the situation better.

anon68315

My mother was diagnosed five years ago with this horrible disease. She had been on constant oxygen the last two years and was finding life very difficult -- well what life she had.

She was advised by the specialist to lose weight and she did -- she lost over three stone and they would try this new drug that they have been trialing which had very promising results.

Unfortunately my mam deteriorated fast the last couple of weeks and sadly passed away unexpectedly in late February.

Anyone out there who has been diagnosed with this disease or knows some one that has it, please ask your lung specialist to refer you for this treatment.

Rest in peace mam. You can at last breathe again now. love you.

anon66836

I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2007 and my condition has remained the same without much help from me. I have been depressed since this diagnosis and being told by my Drs. that it is incurable and nothing can be done to revert the scarring of my lungs. I was told I have 20% of my lung capacity and it will not get better - just worse.

Well, guess what? I have decided that I will not let these prognoses go unchallenged and I will fight back! After researching my condition and reading posts on sites such as this one, I know there is hope for me and everyone else out there with this condition.

I will try supplements, exercise, change of diet, change of lifestyle but most of all, a change of mind. I will believe, from this day forth, that I can and will be healed from this life robbing disease. I am a 58 year old African American female who had a great life with family, job, friends, activities etc. until 2007 and I reclaim all of that and more! Let the fight begin! -dret

anon65435

my aunty is suffering from severe lung fibrosis. she is in the hospital undergoing endotracheal treatment. will she be cured or does she need lung transplant? is a lung transplant possible for her. she is around 50 years old.

Pee

I was diagnosed with lung fibrosis in 1999, after a flu jab that landed me in hospital in South Africa, for three weeks. I was on a support machine for two weeks, thanks to the Big man above (God) I came through it. My then lung specialist (Mr Smith) acted quickly and did a biopsy and prescribed steroids for me which I was on for five years.

After two months of treatment he advised me to lose weight and start physical exercise which I thought was my passport to survival. I lost a significant amount of weight. I then came into the UK in 2001, while I was still on the steroids. My then GP decided to reduce my medication slowly as I got better and still advised me to go to the gym and eat healthy which I still do.

My lung specialist advised me to avoid exposing myself to hash weather conditions like wet/rain/snow weather conditions if possible, e.g to be rained on or to make sure I wear closed protective shoes to avoid moisture from getting to my feet. My lung function at the moment is 60 percent and has been for the past 10 years.

I go to reviews and check-ups and my current lung specialist/consultant assures me that as long as I follow his advise I should carry on living a normal life like anybody else. I may sound like I am bragging, but thank God I can still enjoy doing any physical activities in moderation e.g gym, squash or any sport about five times or more a week.

I know I may never run a marathon, but hey, how many people run a marathon anyway even if they have 100 percent lung function and are physically fit? I should be grateful that I am still around 11 years later after my diagnosis, and I may be one of those lucky ones, especially when you hear about other people being diagnosed and given time to live and never make it at all.

My heart goes to those that have lost their loved ones or those who have the same problem I have. This disease is a silent killer and not a lot of people know about it. It is good to know that I am not alone and can share some of our experiences on this site and yet some people still moan of silly things in life. Some of us are just grateful to be alive.

I wish the medical profession could research more on the causes of this disease because in my case, they don't know what caused it as I have never smoked, never worked in a asbestos environment, or never abused any drugs.

anon51777

what does pleural-parenchymal fibrosis mean? give me a specific answer.

anon51261

I was diagnosed in 2005 and was handling it okay until july. Since then my condition deteriorated so fast that i'm on permanent oxygen. The last four weeks have been hell. Been in hospital twice and they can't do anything for me except a lung transplant. (If you can get lungs). i'm home now but on an oxygen machine 24/7. My sister passed away last year april with the same disease. She had it just over three years. I'm still lucky to be around. It is not very easy to cope with. Lost my work because of it and my daughter was diagnosed with bipolar a year ago. Been divorced for almost 16 years and nobody to support us. God has just been so good to us.

anon50819

My aunty walked into her medical center three weeks ago having trouble breathing. She was immediately admitted to hospital, and within days she was put into an induced coma, having been told she had fibrosis of the lungs. She was given months to live but died three weeks later when they turned her life support machine off.

anon49539

my husband just had letter in the post saying he has to go for a ct scan as a chest x-ray has showed up fibrosis of the lungs.

anon48151

To cowie (#18): I too, have gone through similar circumstances, and now I'm 40. These are my recommendations to avoid the complications I went through. Recently I had a CT scan done because the radiologist found something on a routine x ray. Turns out it's scarring from past bouts of pneumonia and other environmental factors. Now I'm actually able to breathe better than I have my whole life. I had tried countless combinations of meds (holistic and western), diets, etc. Nothing seemed to work too well. Anyway, I'm just sharing what I do now, because it seems to be the winning combo for me. Growing up, the advice I would get was never from someone who was actually experiencing the same difficulty I was. Maybe my combo will work for you and save you years of discomfort and infliction of more damage to your lungs. Lifestyle: Stop living with any pets (including fish). Use air purifiers in the home and especially bedroom (very important). Don't smoke anything. Re-learn the different methods of breathing (you'ld be surprised the things we forget after years of struggling). Walk 30-40 minutes/day other than what you normally do (it exercises the lungs). For me, a dry climate works best, humidity is brutal on my lungs. I live with a dehumidifier (hugely important). Diet: I cut out most dairy (though I love dairy, I found my lungs produced so much less mucus and I've had fewer lung infections since cutting it out). I've also was a pasta and breads junky. No more crazy carbs. Once a week I'll allow myself one of those. Antioxidants, get plenty of them, very important. Ease up on sugars. I take a daily multivitamin to make up for whatever deficiencies my meds may be causing, and I take 500mg of Siberian white Ginseng. When I played football and hockey, the white ginseng made a dramatic difference in whether I was having an asthma attack inside the first 10 minutes of playing and not having one at all! If you are athletic then this is your magic pill. If you are not athletic, this is still a magic pill. (Don't get me wrong, its not a replacement for your inhaler, it simply spaces out the consumption of your body's natural resources, in a way not allowing your body to over-exert/fatigue itself so soon, thus my lungs don't freak out with the exception). Do not use red ginseng, it will have the opposite effect of white. I know there is more science behind the diet and ginseng, but it's all hindsight. Meds: I still use symbicort (but I only take it every other day, though my doctor suggested more often. I did that and it didn't work and I'm not a fan of pumping myself with steroids, and the side effects). I have the Salbutamol inhaler, but what really worked best is Singulair. I highly recommend that med, though it's not cheap. Advair induced attacks for me so I stay away from it (plus, I read a study on an unusual occurrence of side effects including death on men of African descent, and I'm half-black). The Singulair and ventolin inhaler is the best med combo for me, without doubt. I don't remember ever being able to breathe this clear. Last week I had my eyes tested, I knew I needed glasses. The eye doc held up the type of lenses I'll be wearing and I was shocked with the Hi Def I've been missing. I had no idea the world wasn't normally as blurry as I've been seeing it. I liken my breathing to that. I had no idea what clear breathing *really* felt like. I'm starting to sound like an infomercial. Anyway, there will be those who disagree with what works for me. But I don't care because its what works for me, I'm done with listening to others tell me what *should* work. If this helps you then great! Its not necessarily an overnight remedy, but you should notice a big difference I imagine within weeks at most.

anon47839

My father in law is currently in the hospital and is not expected to live. He has been undiagnosed for the past three years until admitted to the hospital five days ago. His most recent chest x-ray and CT and MRI three months ago were clear. Now his lungs are so bad and filled with scar tissue, there is nothing that can be done. This is a very ravaging disease.

anon46306

My father passed away from pulmonary fibrosis on May 25, 2009. He was diagnosed in February and was told he had six months to live. He only made it three. Now my husband who is only 35 has been told he has some fibrosis in the bottom part of his lungs. Who says lightening doesn't strike twice? Not sure why this is happening and wishing this disease had a cure.

anon44682

my husband has been told he has asbestos on his lungs, also fibrosis. thank you for your input. it has helped me to understand some.

anon42940

im 51 year-old female. In april i had my chest x-ray done and was diagnosed as having lingular fibrosis but i have no symptoms. i'm a registered nurse. Can i still work?

cowie

I'm 17 years old, and I was diagnosed with asthma at age 4. There has never been a break where I wasn't out of control. Every day I take my meds and struggle through the day with shortness of breath. My doctor will not believe my asthma is this bad because she doesn't hear wheezing when she listens to my breathing. After going to the emergency room for my serve shortness of breathe I was referred to a specialist. After a lung function test it was shown that my lungs are very damaged and do not respond well (if at all) to the medication (salbutamol). After increasing the frequency that I take my Symbicort, not much improvement has been made. Heart burn is a regular occurrence when I exceed 1000/6 dose that the doctor recommended when needed. Is fibrosis occurring in my lungs a possibility? I'm giving up slowly on all my dreams to run comfortably and be active without consequence. I really need help and for someone to believe me when I say I'm struggling every day to breathe properly.

anon35542

My father passed away 28/06/09 after suffering from it for 3 years. It was so quick within a month of have a chest infection he was gone. I got married 05/06/09 in Cyprus. Dad was there to give me away then he started slipping away.Sweet dreams dad you are the wind beneath my wings xx

kbean1

I have just had a scan today and in the report it mentions a patchy shadowing within the right lower lobe suggesting fibrosis. I am a 44 year old female and wonder what's next; does this mean I have the disease?

anon30575

8 years back my friend was attacked with TB and cured. Now she is suffering with a cough for 10 days and inflammation of her lungs for 3 months. Is this lung fibrosis or TB?

anon28190

anon190, that's what I would like to know too. I was told today the the bottom region of my lungs have fibrosis.

there's something quirky about it though. I have had breathing problems all my life. so now that they can't find out why, they are calling it fibrosis.

what do you think?

anon26434

Try pranayama yoga. I know of a patient whose condition has improved with pranayama (breathing)

anon26279

is there any affect of fibrosis patient on infants?

Carel

My dad was diagnosed with lung fibrosis in 2001. From October last year his health started to deteriorate quite fast. He's on a list now for a lung transplant, he's very weak and its not going well at all, his heart is also affected now. Its been 8 years now and the suffering is not worth it.

eah955

I am 78 years old and suffer from slight breathlessness on exertion. Chest X-ray shows fibrosis but lung function tests were normal. Might this be because I used to play the flute and had to pay careful attention to correct breathing?

CT scan pending. Like the previous correspondent, I should like to know if there are other diseases involving fibrosis. Thank you.

anon21564

Recently, My brother was treated for cancer in stomach. He was treated with a medicine which had 1% risk in side effects. He was perfectly all right from cancer but he was affected by the medicine which he was treated by. Just before ten days of his expiry the doctor had told, he was affected by lung fibrosis. And the cause of the side effect of the medicine. We tried our lecel best to save him. But we couldn't. he passed away last week. We took his reports and inquired about it in australia, they said the dose was too high for that guy, that's the reason for his death.

anon19172

my father passed away on september 30th from this terrible disease. he was diagnosed two years ago but this past two moths had been the hardest for him he was in the hospital for 5 weeks till the doctors talked to me and told there was really nothing they can do any more. they had done everything they could do.we took him off the medicines and the machine. they start it at 8:00am and he was gone by 4:15pm that same day. he last it one hour and 15 min on he's own..

anon15259

My father in law had fibrosis for 5 years (we think) but we only recently found out in the last few months, as he was too proud to tell anyone. In the last few weeks he developed an infection and was hospitalized last Saturday... he was then on Oxygen until Wednesday when there was no further hope and support was removed. Suspected causes from history range from his history with the fire service to keeping birds and extreme exposure to passive smoke (although he did not smoke). The hospital said that this took a particularly aggressive form for the disease. My Sympathy to anyone with this condition, or their relatives & friends.

kitchenroyal

My mother 67 years of age is suffering from lung fibrosis disease since 4 years. is there any treatment for this? Any lung transplantation facility available in this world? I will be thankful for your advice.

anon1552

My sister of age 60 is suffering of Fibrosis on lung, she has been told that a transplant is a possible way to cure,being diabetic for more than ten years will transplant be possible?

anon584

Is pulmonary fibrosis a communicable disease like TB?

anon190

Is it possible to have some fibrosis on your lungs without it being the full lung fibrosis disease. My boyfriend (35) has just found out he has some on his lungs and has beeen referred for more tests.

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