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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can COPD And Pulmonary Fibrosis Be Treated?

I have COPD (end stage) and Pulmonary Fibrosis. I am on home oxygen at 10 liters. Yes that is true and I have been on that much for 2 years. Ok I was put on 3 meds for COPD ...a duo neb - Ipratropium/Bromide, Spiriva, & Symbicort. My 3rd Hospice decided that I didn t need a $350 medicine so they took me off of the Spiriva. This was last November I think. Ok now my 4th Hospice has decided I don t need the $225 medicine so they have taken me off the Symbicort. That was about 2 months ago. I am just getting over my first bad cough & sinus infection since the weather started changing & of course the cough is lingering. I am so short of breath. If I walk from my bed to the bathroom & back to my bed I cannot breathe. My oxygen drops into the mid to low 80 s in that distance. I have one of those finger things. My heart rate jumps to 130-140. Is this because I have been sick for a week or because they took me off the meds my pulmonologist put me on after I was first diagnosed with COPD 3 years ago?
Mon, 2 Jul 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all it's sad to know what you had been going through lately. Based on the history you have shared, you are on opimtomal medical treatment though for fibrosis perfenidone can be started after discussing with your pulmonologist. Res of the treatment titration is done on follow up visits according to the response. For oxygen therapy a lower than normal oxygen level should be maintained and In your case 88-92 is ideal one. So 10 litres oxygen is too high for you..2-4 litre is beneficial unless oxygen saturation doesn't drop below 88. You can also discuss for use of BiPap for few hours during the day with you pulmonologist. Regular vaccinations for chest infections should be done as well.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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How Can COPD And Pulmonary Fibrosis Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all it s sad to know what you had been going through lately. Based on the history you have shared, you are on opimtomal medical treatment though for fibrosis perfenidone can be started after discussing with your pulmonologist. Res of the treatment titration is done on follow up visits according to the response. For oxygen therapy a lower than normal oxygen level should be maintained and In your case 88-92 is ideal one. So 10 litres oxygen is too high for you..2-4 litre is beneficial unless oxygen saturation doesn t drop below 88. You can also discuss for use of BiPap for few hours during the day with you pulmonologist. Regular vaccinations for chest infections should be done as well. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.