How much should she be able to do without wearing the oxygen.? Her doctor wants her to wear it all the time. Sometimes she's fine without it for 30 minutes shopping. I need opinions and stories. They say she has pulminary fibrosis, or interstitial lung disease. Are the the same thing?
2007-03-23 11:19:31 · 10 answers · asked by LadyLynn 7 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
86-88 is probably her normal level. For people with chronic lung disease their bodies are adjusted to function with less oxygen. Most do stay between those numbers. The thing that would be concerning to me is how her actual symptoms are. Is she getting short of breath a lot?! if so then there shoudl be a re-evaluation of her o2 needs. She should also consider going to pulmonary rehab they can work on her exercise tolerence and make her able to do more without being so sob and feeling tired. Yes the two diseases are the same.
and for the person who answered "from a nursing home" that is not the qualifications for oxygen. the patient must have a sat under 88% I know because I qualify patients for o2 as part of my job.
2007-03-23 12:55:54 · answer #1 · answered by steveangela1 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Maybe I can help a little. First off, I have pulmonary fibrosis, and interstitial pneumonia as well. I was diagnosed at age 49 and have had it 4 years. The average life expectancy for most IPF sufferers is 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. This can vary from person to person. For Sharon (one of the responders), this is not COPD. There is a difference.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a killer. Over 50,000 people in the United States die from IPF every year - that's as many lives as breast cancer, yet most people know little about this disease. I am sorry to be blunt, but your friend's prognosis is not just poor, it is death. At the current time, there is no cure and very little (other than prednisone and a few experimental drugs) to use as a "treatment." Lung transplantation is an option for some, but for many the cost and risk versus the perceived benefit rules out a lung transplant.
Your friend should use her oxygen all the time. Her sats are 86 - 88 because she is losing viable lung tissue. IPF turns lungs into non-functioning scar tissue. The disease slowly progresses until the person dies from respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or infection (pneumonia). For those out there who think this is some disease caused by smoking, it is not. The cause and mechanism of this disease is not understood, but research is pointing towards a genetic cause. The trigger seems to be either an injury to a lung (rib injury, pneumonia) or something environmental (air pollution, toxic fumes like the 9/11 First Responders were exposed to). Once triggered, the autoimmune response kicks in and the body attacks its own lungs.
Make no mistake, there is little hope for your friend. This is an efficient killer, and it isn't a good way to die. The more active your friend can remain, the better off she will be. Exercise will keep her alive longer than any drug out there. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an excellent way for her to learn how to conserve and better utilize the oxygen her lungs process.
I am sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, but the more people know about this disease, the more pressure will be applied to help find a cause and a cure. This is a disease that is becoming more prevalent and that is alarming.
Your concern is admirable, and your friendship invaluable. Just be there for your friend as this thing progresses. If you want more information, go to the following web sites:
www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org
www.coalitionforpf.org
Good luck to both of you and again, I am sorry if I seem blunt, but education is the only way we will ever get a cure.
2007-03-23 15:01:14 · answer #2 · answered by Barry M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's a low oxygen level, but when people have chronic lung problems, they're bodies have adjusted to it somewhat. She should keep her oxygen on all the time if she can. Cause even walking, talking, coughing, etc will cause her level to drop, and when you're already low, you don't want any more stress on the brain, heart, etc. both diseases are similar in what they do, pulmonary fibrosis is a interstitial lung disease. I don't think she should go without her o2.
2007-03-23 11:26:34 · answer #3 · answered by nickname 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Generally doctors want your oxygen level at 100-98. Lower than that they start getting nervous. Pulminary means lungs.
Fibrosis — ... is the formation or development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue as a ...
Interstitial lung disease (ILD), also known as diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), refers to a group of lung diseases (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), affecting the alveolar epithelium, pulmonary capillary endothelium, basement membrane, perivascular and perilymphatic tissues. The term ILD is used to distinguish these diseases from obstructive airways diseases. Most types of ILD involve fibrosis, but this is not essential; indeed fibrosis is often a later feature. Hence the term pulmonary fibrosis has fallen out of favor.
2007-03-23 13:18:02 · answer #4 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
She has a deteriorating COPD,and she needs to have her O2 on at all times,especially when she out & about.A person with her disease does not have any "normal" reserves and should never go without her O2,not even for a little while . Her O2 sat's most likely very low when she gets home,and each time it will take longer to get them up,even now when her normal is so low.Her home health agency or her MD can order her a travel O2 kit. Yes these sorts of lung diseases are the basicly the same,progressive,and with a poor prognosis.Please do all you can to encourage her to follow her MD's orders,it's for her well being to stay as active,for as long as possible.Take care. SW FNP
2007-03-23 13:03:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Her 02 sat is low, best is in the mid 90's
you need a 90 to fly
At 86 she won't be able to do much, they wouldn't let me out of the hosp with an 02 sat of 88
Mine averages 93/94 I'm 67
I exercise 2x a week
2007-03-23 11:31:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
She should be off her oxygen for anything---except when she is in the shower.
Why would she want to not use it? 86-88% oxygen intake is bad. She needs to do what her doctor tells her on this. If she doesn't, then she may end up in the hospital on a ventilator. I don't think she would want that.
2007-03-23 11:24:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Both Steveangela and Barry M. gave you good answers. I am also a Respiratory Therapist. I don't really have anything to add. Good luck to your friend.
2007-03-23 18:04:16 · answer #8 · answered by mike.marlow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-19 11:16:45 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything lower than 91% is no good. I work in a nursing home, anyone under 91% gets o2 or it gets its liters up'd. She needs it or more liters.
2007-03-23 11:27:34 · answer #10 · answered by steelgal 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋