Hi, I was diagnoised with IPF two years ago. I just had a new PFT and I do not know what they mean.FVC LITERS 4.91 UNDER HEADING REF, PRE MEAS, 2.83, PRE % MEAS 2.83 ,POST MEAS 3.00, POST % REF 61, POST % CHANGE 6
FEV1 3.67 2.19 60 PRE%REF, 2.46, 61 POST%REF, 12 POST% CHANGE
FEV1/FVC % 72 78 PRE 0 POST 82 POST % 82
TLC 7.24 3.53 49%
DLCO 30.4 12.0 39 %
I WAS TOLD 2 YEARS AGO MY ONLY CHOICE WAS A LUNG TRANSPLANT. I AM 53 YEAR OLD MALE. My O2 level at complete rest is 93% with a pulseOX meter. When I walk a
little or lift something my O2 goes down to 76 % with high pulse of 130 or above.
I was told the outcome of a lung transplant was 10% die on the operating table, and that 40% die the first year, the other 50 % make it about 4 years. This does not sound so great. How long do I have if I do nothing.
My mother suffers from this illness too. I would ask to get your battery tests for lung transplant as soon as possible. I am in the process of taking to doctors to have this done for my mom. I also enrolled my mom in a rehabilitation program, you should consider that as well.
The pulmonary function tests and the CT scan are consistent with the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), commonly called lung scarring of unknown cause. This disease reduces the volume of the lungs, makes them stiff and reduces their ability to supply oxygen to your blood and tissues. It is a progressively worsening disease. The current pharmacologic treatment of this condition is generally unsatisfactory but lung transplantation is a viable option. Please read our interstitial and fibrotic lung disease information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/rheum/ild/index.aspx to learn more.
In addition, there are ongoing clinical studies of pulmonary fibrosis at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) http://www.nih.gov/ and other academic medical centers. You should ask your pulmonary specialist about these studies.
This is a difficult illness to live with. We hope you are accepted into the transplant program. Good luck.
I am hoping that someone will respond to this, I am really worried.
Take care,
Kathy