Guest guest Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with IPF, like within the last five weeks. I immediately went to the internet to find out all that I could and got way more than I bargained for. I managed to freak myself out, get angry with everyone and have cried myself to sleep a few times. I feel so helpless. I have always been blessed with pretty good health. No major illnesses and always strong enough to get through just about anything. I am 55 years old and have learned that there is very little I can do about changing other people, places and situations but have always been able to control what is going on with myself. I feel like my body has just turned into my head and heart's enemy. I am married, and have a wonderfully big family with 5 kids and 7 grandkids. You know I have been blessed. I really have no excuse for feeling as negative as I do... it really is not like me and I'm not loving this side of me. Acceptance is difficult. I have only been feeling poorly for about six months. I started noticing that I would become a little winded when I would climb the stairs at work (something I do at least 5-6 times each day). My boss was concerned that it may be something with my heart (she just experienced congestive heart failure 4 months ago) and she keep pushing me toward the doctor until I decided to have it checked out. Good news! My heart is in great shape! After the nuclear stress test and before the heart catherization, I got a terrible migraine headache and had to go to the emergency room. They did fix the headache but after they put that little finger oximeter on me they didn't concentrate on anything but my O2 levels. I spent a week in the hospital being stuck and re-stuck. I had CT, MRI's a bronchoscopy and the heart cath, as well as what ever else they did. They made the diagnosis and sent me home on O2, which I'm on pretty much 24/7. As long as I'm sitting quietly, not doing anything more than breathing my O2 levels are ok, but if I stand the levels drop right away. I am starting a pulmonary rehab this week, hopefully the exercise will help me cope a little better. I have returned to work, I have a desk job, and I carry my O2 with me. I'm hoping that I can count on you all to remind me that it's not over until it's over and help me feel like I do have some say in how things go. Thanks for letting me go on... Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.