Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

[Carolnfl]

My mother was diagnosed with IPF about a month ago.  She has all the advanced symptoms, such as clubbing, extreme shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, paleness.    She is 70 years old and was in very good health prior to the last 5 months or so.    
My question, if anyone can help me out, is this:      How long do we expect her to live?    and will she need assistance at some point in time?
I live thousands of miles away, and want to spend as much time as I can with her while she is still healthy enough to enjoy things.    She has to pace herself to do anything during the day.
Her doctor has not giving us any idea as to how long she will live with IPF.....
any answers would be very appreciated!!

[lynnkay]

My heart goes out to you and your mother. It truly does. I don't really want to tell you, what I have to say. But, I feel you deserve and need honest answers. As me and my family have been there. My mother was diagnosed with IPF in August 2004. She passed away in August 2007, after a lung transplant rejection. Her pulmonary specialist traced back the start of the IPF to approximately 2001. He was able to do this through a number of old xrays, that we took to her first appointment with him. When mother passed away she was 69. In all my research of IPF while my mother was ill, life expectancy is somewhere between 5 to 6 yrs. It is a terminal lung disease and little is really known about it. As you may know, idiopathic means cause unknown. They did a lung biopsy on my mother. Even with the biopsy, the doctors could not determine what caused my mother's IPF. She was never a smoker. But, the clubbing, extreme shortness of breath, fatigue, etc. are all certainly symptoms of IPF. And I am very sorry and sad to say, it will only become much worse. My mother lived about 2 hrs. from me. I did go to stay with her for 3 months, to help care for her. Eventually Hospice was called in. My mother use to be a little go getter. But, the IPF tore her totally down. She spent about the last 2 yrs. of her life in bed. Just to go to the bathroom, was nothing but a battle. But, there could be some new drugs now. Also, there is pulmonary rehab. You may want to check into those things. Maybe even a possible lung transplant. Many do succeed. Mother's just did not. She passed away 4 mths. after the lung transplant. She was able to go home only 2 days, out of those 4 mths. My suggestion is spend as much time as you possibly can with her. Mother's pulmonary specialist would not give us any time limit on her life either. When we got the call for the lung transplant, we thought it was our miracle. But, it just was not meant to be. I miss my momma with all my being. It still hurts me deeply. I am somewhat involved in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Coalition. Little is known about IPF and there needs to be more research money made available for IPF. The past 2 yrs. legislation has tried to be passed, to provide more research money for IPF. As of yet, legislation has not been passed. Your mother and you are definitely in my prayers. May God help you all get through this very difficult time.

[Carolnfl]

Thank you so very much for all the information you gave me.    And also for your prayers.    I was really worried we might only have months left with my Mom.   But I am thankful that it might be years.    I worry about who will care for her, since I am far away.  I have other siblings, but I am the closest to my Mom.    
Was it a peaceful passing for your momma?    I worry about that too.  
I appreciate so much your kindness and the time you have taken to answer my questions.  God Bless you.