Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery or lung vasculature, leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms, all of which are exacerbated by exertion. Depending on the cause, pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with a markedly decreased exercise tolerance and right-sided heart failure.
My wife has PAH and has been earmarked for a lung transplant. She had the tests to see if she able to have one and she it but we have a problem. She has to time when she feels best when to have the transplant, as well as deciding whether have the TP at all is a good idea.
Has anyone faced this? Any advice?
Has anyone faced this? Any advice?
I personally have decided that a lung transplant would be worthless for me because my PH is caused by dermatomyositis. My DM is caused by viruses and I think the viruses would simply attack the new lung. I think in my case, the offer of a lung transplant is just an opportunity for doctors to practice surgery techniques. It is expensive, and for me it would not guarantee a recovery for long because the viruses would reattack the lungs and I would be back at square one.
I would write down lots of questions to ask the doctor. Questions like: 1. Would the transplant actually offer quality of life and a real cure? 2. Who would be doing the surgery and how many successful lung transplants have they done?
3. What is the cost?
4. Who can I talk to that has had this surgery? What meds must they take daily? etc..
This is such a difficult decision to make and I wish you well.