What is the treatmnet for pulmonary fibrosis?
Patient: Hi my daughter has pulmonary fibrosis - she gets bad coughing fits - two to three times in 24 hours (other than mitts linctud codeine) nothing seems to work - she has recently developed shunting bet the Pulm artery and paul vein - she is 18yrs old - would it be advisable for her to fly? How do we find out living in India - she is on 2L/min O2 at all times - she used to use portable machines but now that doesn t work as her heart rate rises when oxygen is pulsed rather than continuous flow - she walks in the house but uses a wheelchair if she leaves home and also has raised BP after her coughing fit (144/106) Doctor: Sir, Its really rare to see pulmonary fibrosis with such a young age. She is really a brave girl to go through all this.To fly she will have to carry oxygen along however due to the decrease in the cabin pressures at heights, it is not advisable to fly without any risk.You can give her codeine 2-3 times daily however steroids have been shown to have good relief for the cough, but doubtful to slow down the progression of IPF.I hope she is on the medicines required, like steroids, azathioprine or pirfenidone.NOTE: Thalidomide is known to reduce cough in patients steroids dont help