Interstitial lung disease

[moonlight1705]

My DM has been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (the autoimmune kind obviously) today.

I can count the times I've seen my DM cry on one hand but she was so upset when I phoned and can understand why.

If its the serious version then 2 to 5 years prognosis and if not then she is on oxygen for the rest of life. She has to go have more tests done at a bigger hospital and speak to a specialist.

I don't know what I want from this thread except to rant at the unfairness of it. She's never smoked or done drugs or anything yet here we are!!

ILD is really shitty. I'm sorry your mum is unwell and got this diagnosis. First off, has she been referred for pulmonary rehab? It can be amazing to support her quality of life. She (and you) might also find support from the British Lung Foundation. They have local and peer to peer support groups that can be really helpful.

Take care of yourselves

Thanks Grainne, I'll look at the BLF soon and recommend them to my mum.
She has got to go have plenty of other tests yet so its early days as to exact prognosis. We'll see what Southmead have to say about it next week.