COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
I am a 65 year old woman that has had severe emphysema for quite a few years now. I am thinking abut a lung transplant. Has anyone had one and is willing to share this experience? Any input would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Roe
Thanks Roe
There are a few in this group, don't know if they are still here or not!
Don't research on Hospital sites that do the transplants!
Look for independent sites!
*Best Wishes!
*Transplant Activity
In 2009, surgeons performed a total of 1,661 lung transplants in the United States. Almost all of the transplanted lungs came from deceased donors, with only one lung coming from a living donor. In the beginning of 2009, there were 2,019 people on the waitlist for a donor lung. This number declined to 1,862 people on the waitlist at the end of 2009. Over 2,200 people registered for lung transplants in 2009.
*Recipient Characteristics
Compiling lung transplant statistics gives researchers and transplant teams the information they need to improve the registration and transplant coordination process. Most of the people who received lung transplants in 2009 were Caucasian, accounting for 84.7 percent of the lung transplants performed in the United States. African-Americans accounted for 8 percent of the lung transplants performed in the United States, while Hispanics and Latinos accounted for 6 percent and Asians for just 1.3 percent of all lung transplants.
Patients under the age of 18 made up a small percentage of the people who received lung transplants in 2008. Only 0.2 percent of the transplanted lungs went to patients under 2 years of age, while 0.8 percent went to patients ranging in age from 2 to 11 years. Children ages 12 to 17 made up 2.7 of the lung transplants performed in 2009. The majority of transplanted lungs went to recipients aged 50 to 64 years, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. This group made up 48.9 percent of all lung transplants.
*Transplant Reason
The reasons needed for lung transplant vary, but they usually involve some form of chronic disease that affects the lungs. The most common reason for lung transplant in 2009 was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which accounted for 42.5 percent of the lung transplants performed. The second most common reason for a lung transplant was emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, accounting for 32.0 percent of all lung transplants. Other reasons for lung transplant included pulmonary hypertension and cystic fibrosis.
*Survival
Patient survival after transplant depends on several factors. Lung transplant statistics for 2009 indicate that 95.6 percent of adult transplant patients survived one month after transplant. The survival rate decreased to 82.86 percent after one year and 66.96 percent after three years. Pediatric survival rates follow a similar pattern. Pediatric patients had a one-month survival rate of 97.30 percent. This rate decreased to 87.98 after one year and 64.57 percent after three years. Some of the factors that affect survival after a lung transplant include post-operative care, adherence to medication regimens, compliance with physician instructions, the presence of infections or other medical conditions and the amount of support a transplant patient has during the recovery period.
*Reference
Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: Patient Survival After Transplant
MedlinePlus: Lung Transplant
*I did see where they are having more success with double lung versus single lung transplants!
she just had lvs on the old lung.
might check out her journals.
she's been documenting it.
good luck on your decision.
Think more there have had transplants or know someone that has!
We have gotten aquainted with other recepients and spouses. Some of them have issues post transplant, but no one regrets having the procedure.
We have heard stories about different transplant centers having different age resrictions. My husband is very lucky to have this opportunity for a better quality of life.
Best of luck to you!
Her problem now is the remaining lung keeps getting bigger and is crowding the new lung making her sob again. The last I talked to her about a month ago, she told me they decided to go in and remove the upper lobe of the remaining lung. She has been posting a journal here on DS that details her journey. It is very enlightening.
Everything is on a case-by-case basis.