Open Lung Biopsy...or NOT???

[Guest guest]

Hello Friends -

I just saw a CA pulmonologist. From what I've read here and

elsewhere, having an open lung biopsy is risky...and the value

depends on your risk vs. info gain from having one. My primary care

dr. said 'no, they aren't necessarily accurate, subject you to

unnecessary risks'. When I told the pulmon. dr. that I didn't think

that I wanted to do that...he asked why (and I told him), he asked me

to do some research at the American Lung Assoc. and other sites and

re-consider. He said that doing it would give him information about

whether or not I have an active infection (I think that I do, as I

often cough up colored stuff), and what kind of medical treatment to

pursue.

I'm 70 yrs. old, have coronary artery disease, diab. 2, chronic

kidney diease in 1 remaining kidney, GERD, hiatal hernia, achalasia,

two pre-Barrett's esophageal lesions, osteoporosis, arthritis,

glaucoma...the list goes on...

I was first dx'd. 4/08, put on O2 in Aug 08, no PF meds yet.

Questions? Opinions? Personal experiences?

Joan M. in Northern CA/San