mild ILD

I have a connective tissue disease and I have mild pulmonary fibrosis which has progressed. At what point is treatment started and at what point does ILD interfere with normal activities? Can ILD remain mild or does it always have a bleak outcome.
Thank you.

[National Jewish]

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) causes the area between the air sacs of the lungs and the blood vessels to become inflamed and scarred.  This makes it hard for oxygen to get into the body and for carbon dioxide to get out of the body.  The course of ILD is unpredictable, so it can remain mild.  It may start to interfere with normal activities when it becomes severe.
The ideal time to start treatment is debatable.  The best answer I can give is that a doctor experienced in the treatment of ILD evaluate you.  For further information, please read our Interstitial Lung Disease MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/interstitial.html.  You are welcome to share this information with your doctor.

[labrat]

I should add that I am 42 years old.
Thank you.