Question 1

how bad is having plasmacytoma in the lungs and can it be linked to agent orange exposure?

Accepted Answer

Compared to what?: It's a blood cancer and that's serious - but a plasmacytoma is perhaps as good as it can be. It is a single, localized tumor of malignant plasma cells.  If no more are found or suspected, tx with radiation is often sufficient. Unlike multiple myeloma (automatically attributed to agent orange exposure) this may require a va decision, but many cases are recognized for benefits. Thx 4 your service!

Question 2

what is "end stage" of pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Advance lung damage: End stage pulmonary fibrosis is a common term that we use when we do not feel that our medications can reverse or improve the lung damage caused by the lung fibrosis.  At that point, we consider the patient for lung transplantation.

Question 3

does coughing always present in pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily : Most commonly presented with shortness of breath.

Question 4

what are some ways to relieve pain from pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

NSAIDs or narcotics: Pulmonary fibrosis by itself usually does not hurt. There are no pain receptors in the lungs. What may hurt is your pleura or ribcage, which are well supplied with pain receptors. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) such as Ibuprofen may help as well as narcotics which usually also dull the sensation of shortness of breath which may accompany pulmonary fibrosis. Hope this helps!

Question 5

are there any foods i can eat to heal my pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

No: Unfortunately no, unlike diabetes, no foods have been shown to cause or help pulmonary fibrosis. It is a disease that causes inflammation and damage to the lungs.

Question 6

is there ever a possibility of false diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Pulmonary fibrosis is often a diagnosis made on clinical history, exam and chest scan findings with pulm function tests.  If a biopsy is done of the lungs then this greatly increases the chance that the diagnosis is accurate.  Without a lung biopsy the diagnosis may be less accurate.

Question 7

can idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis be treated?

Accepted Answer

No: At this time there is no effective treatment. N-acetyl-cysteine is being studied as is perfenidone, but the results to date have been disappointing and largely ineffective.

Question 8

do my lungs feel heavy because of pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily : Feeling heavy can be a result of any of multiple conditions.  It warrants further attention to the cardiopulmonary system, but pulmonary fibrosis is not necessarily the answer.

Question 9

can hamsters as pets contribute to pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Generally no.: The cause of pulmonary fibrosis is not known, but hamsters haven't been associated with it. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be caused by pet birds and lead to pulmonary fibrosis in rare cases.

Question 10

what are the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath: Slowly progressive shortness of breath, chest discomfort, cough with exercise, declining exercise capacity. At advanced stages weight loss leg swelling  frank chest pain  simulating angina.

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Doctor answers about:

Agent orange pulmonary fibrosis

A member asked:

How bad is having plasmacytoma in the lungs and can it be linked to agent orange exposure?

A member asked:

What is "end stage" of pulmonary fibrosis?

A member asked:

Does coughing always present in pulmonary fibrosis?

A member asked:

What are some ways to relieve pain from pulmonary fibrosis?

A member asked:

Are there any foods i can eat to heal my pulmonary fibrosis?

A member asked:

Is there ever a possibility of false diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis?

A member asked:

Can idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis be treated?

A member asked:

Do my lungs feel heavy because of pulmonary fibrosis?

A member asked:

Can hamsters as pets contribute to pulmonary fibrosis?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

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