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Suggest Treatment For Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Question: I have IPF and I am wondering how long I have to live. I was diagnosed 2 years ago. I am on oxygen while I sleep. My condition is slowly progressing. Can that change. Will I ever not need oxygen during sleep?
Brief Answer:
Oxygen and steroids are a must to manage IPF.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
I have read your query and understand your concern,
IPF is always a progressive lung disease.
This will not revert back to normalcy.
Only steroids and Home oxygen therapy/HOT are the main stay of therapy.
Instead of steroids ,drugs like Mycophenolate,an immunomodulatory drug can be useful to reduce the dose of steroids like prednisolone,when used simultaneously.
This drug is known to delay the progression of IPF.Consult your doctor regarding this drug.
HOT is needed based on your periodic HRCT scan-CHEST changes of the IPF and the resting saturation oxygen levels on pulse oximetry.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Oxygen and steroids are a must to manage IPF.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
I have read your query and understand your concern,
IPF is always a progressive lung disease.
This will not revert back to normalcy.
Only steroids and Home oxygen therapy/HOT are the main stay of therapy.
Instead of steroids ,drugs like Mycophenolate,an immunomodulatory drug can be useful to reduce the dose of steroids like prednisolone,when used simultaneously.
This drug is known to delay the progression of IPF.Consult your doctor regarding this drug.
HOT is needed based on your periodic HRCT scan-CHEST changes of the IPF and the resting saturation oxygen levels on pulse oximetry.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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