She is doing more sleeping and definitely more coughing. Her oxygen levels go from the mid 90’s to the 70’s almost daily. What does this mean? What can I expect for the future?
With ILD, the lung as an organ, is in failure. Oxygen is not adequately getting through the good alveoli to her bloodstream. You might see those low numbers when she is moving around compared to at rest. Numbers in 80s and 90s are not good. The bad news is that increasing to a higher percentage of oxygen requires a high flow device and supply only available in a hospital. Home oxygen has limitations once flows reach 4 liters or more. The worse news is that the higher oxygen concentrations actually destroys more alveoli. With mom sleeping more, it might be time to get a hospice consult. Since she is sleeping, it does not sound that her low oxygen is causing troubleing symptoms and it may not mean that she needs morphine. However the hospice staff can provide meds for anxiety and other support for symptom management.
Given this disease, you will be more aware of what to expect than we are. So much depends in ANY disease upon the patients history, general underlying health and health habits, determination, and etc.
You need, if you a MPOA to be in constant contact with a good care teams. I wish you good luck.
If you look up Interstitial Lung Disease online you'll get lots of information. People can live anywhere from 2 years to 20 years with it. Her pulmonologist would have the best answers for her prognosis.
Since she is sleeping, it does not sound that her low oxygen is causing troubleing symptoms and it may not mean that she needs morphine. However the hospice staff can provide meds for anxiety and other support for symptom management.
You need, if you a MPOA to be in constant contact with a good care teams.
I wish you good luck.
Good luck to you.