The Top10 Things You Should Do If You Test Positive For Alpha1

  • Have A List Of Questions When You See a Doctor About Your Alpha1(If you try to remember the questions you want to ask you may forget half of them)
  • Learn To Breathe Effectively
  • Limit Or Eliminate Your Alcohol Consumption
  • Don't Be Afraid To Be Proactive About Your Alpha1
  • Get Plenty Of Rest(You will likely have a higher oxygenation level)
  • Avoid Sick People(You have a lower immune system than most people)
  • Drink Plenty Of Water
  • Eat Healthy/Avoid Processed Food(Carbonated beverages)
  • Start A Careful Exercise Program/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program(Your muscles will become more efficient so they won't use as much oxygen and if you have surgery you will likely recover quicker as well)
  • Stop Smoking

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

F.A.Q. Influenza & Pneumonia shots, LVRS and Lung transplant surgery

I am posting this because the first Pulmonologist I saw after I was diagnosed with Alpha1 (by a family practice doctor) didn't bother to tell me if I didn't get a flu shot every year and I believe it is every 7 years for a pneumonia shot....I could be declined a lung transplant. Also, the lung transplant age cut -off is 65 years old.

It is not the end though!

There is also a procedure called lung volume reduction surgery(LVRS). From what I know you don't want it to involve laser surgery. There is a Dr. Hassler associated with Froedert Hospital that uses Dr. Cooper's staple and glue method which has been succesful. I have seen it first hand via my sister Johanna & Noreen James. Not everybody is a candidate. Most Alphas lungs die from the bottom up but, some die all over. There was a pretty rigourous series of tests that had to be completed by my sister before the doctor approved...in fact, he had told her no at one point. Then he asked why he should do it. LVRS is not something to be taken lightly!!!
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