Women and PF

[Guest guest]

After reading posts for a few years and coming to know so many of you, I have come to wonder about the differences between men and women when it comes to pulmonary fibrosis. Of the other differences, I

understand some and remain ignorant of others.

Question 1: There are far more women than men on this board. Are women more susceptible than men

to this disease?

Question 2: Women seem to have many more other inflammatory diseases with their PF than men. Men

seem to have very few other related or even non-related diseases. Are women in general more susceptible to inflammatory dieases?

Question 3: Women seem to be more open in discussing their health than men. Men seem reluctant to

admit to weaknesses, even in health issues. Or are men just less susceptitble to disease?

Question 4: Is it possible that child birth in some way weakens or damages a woman's health that

gives her greater susceptibility? If so, she pays a great price. I just hope that we, her children, repay her with our gratitude and our love, not to just our mother but to all mothers.

On a pesonal note, it just tears my heart apart to read of the many multiple diseases so many of the women have. It boggles my mind to consider myself dealing with so many problems and retain a shred of my

sanity. Even as old as I am (in years, not in heart) I have only the IPF which fortunately seems more of

an annoyance than a fatal disease. So far.

So to the mothers on this board and those ladies who may not be a mother, I salute you. I am grateful to you. I love you. I share your pain. Jack79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine