Hello,
As the patient is diagnosed with
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis please continue the medication provided by the physician or pulmonologist.
Also, have a small digital
pulse oximeter at home to keep checking the
oxygen saturation levels. Usually it's between 94-99% which is claimed to be good.
Anything below 85 might be asking for the oxygen supply. Also in history, the missing part was the lobes arrested in the fibrosis of the lung. So which side it is and which lobe it is to understand much better.
To provide advice for it, I will say sleeping on the side of the lung which is not fibrosis.
Also, having an oxygen saturation supply machine at home will be good for the patient is there is no sleep apnea. If there is sleep apnea than a BiPAP machine will be advised for having good respiration.
Having a good
pulmonary rehabilitation team working behind the patient's recovery plan will be helpful for avoiding fatigue and aches and pains.
Since respiratory system consumes maximum amount of human body energy a good oxygen supply will be of help. Also, fibrosis is an irreversible process.
The more the supply of
oxygen therapy along with
pulmonary physiotherapy will be helpful for patient.
Checking of oxygen saturation, pulse and blood pressure is of utmost importance in patients with fibrosis of lungs.
Hope you take the wise decision for the patient. In my clinical practice of 12 years, seen cases with pulmonary fibrosis and the use of oxygen saturation machine with
physical therapy or BiPAP with physical therapy have been helpful to avoid fatigue to set in.
Medications do play a role if any cold or cough symptoms are blocking the air passage. A complete pulmonary rehabilitation approach is found effective in patients.
Research has shown the changes happening with pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with fibrosis of lungs.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist