Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group (IPF)
The support group meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the hall at St Matthias Church in Malvern Link.
Starting at 1.30pm
The group is led by a senior specialist nurse who gives an opportunity to ask questions to both her and her colleagues.
Very often we have a speaker, which is always very valuable. They might give us useful breathing exercises, or advice on diet, or advice on when additional oxygen might prove useful or necessary. Occasionally a medical expert will give us more information about how the breathing tests work, or developments in treatments to alleviate symptoms. We’ve even had a couple of visits from a choir which helps people with breathing difficulties!
What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, known as IPF, is a condition of the lungs that causes extreme shortness of breath as the disease progresses. It is incurable except by lung transplant and life expectancy varies for each individual, because we are all different. Working on averages, life expectancy is under five years, but a lot depends on your age when diagnosed. As the disease progresses, the patient becomes more and more breathless, eventually needing oxygen when out and about and at home to keep the oxygen levels in the blood at an adequate level, helping survival. Pulmonary Fibrosis is still not well understood and many patients are not diagnosed until the disease is well developed. More research is being carried out by specialists and more is being learned about the disease all the time.
Promoted by Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis. If you are affected by this disease then do come and join us. You will be warmly welcomed and you will find many kindred spirits. Wherever you live in Worcestershire, you are welcome to turn up at our next meetings.
You can find out more by calling Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis helpline, .
