Questions for your doctor
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has developed questions that may be helpful to you in managing your pulmonary fibrosis (PF). It is important to note that some of the questions may not be applicable depending on your situation. We encourage you to address relevant questions as you develop a relationship with your physician over multiple visits.
DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS
F What is my specific diagnosis and what does it mean? Is a lung biopsy necessary to confirm my diagnosis?
F What other options are there for confirming the diagnosis?
F What could have caused my pulmonary fibrosis?
F How severe is my condition and what is my prognosis?
F How will pulmonary fibrosis impact what I can and cannot do?
F Will my disease progress and what are the signs that I would see to know? If it does progress what things would I notice and will I need oxygen? What kind of tests will I need and how frequently to monitor for progression?
DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS
F What treatments are available for my condition? How will these treatments help me?
F What are the side effects?
F Is pulmonary rehabilitation an option for me?
F Is palliative care appropriate at this time or in the future?
F Is lung transplantation an option for me? If so, when should I be referred or what is keeping me from being referred?
F Is a clinical trial of experimental therapy right for me?
Where do I get information?
F What can I do about the cough?
F Do you have a support group or know of one?
SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN (if
prescribed)
F Should I use oxygen all the time? Or just some of the time? What oxygen settings should I use?
F Am I able to travel with my current supplemental oxygen prescription?
F Should I be monitoring my oxygen saturation levels at home?
F What should I do and whom should I contact if I have any problems with my PF?
F What should I do if I get a cold, flu, pneumonia?
F How often should I schedule follow-up appointments to monitor my condition?
F What tests or treatments can I expect during follow-up appointments? What do these tests show you and why are they important?
F What complications might I experience?
F What should I do if my symptoms suddenly worsen? Who should I call?