• Home
  • About Us

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Jeremy Feldman, MD

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Definition
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy and Prognosis for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Diagnosing & Monitoring PF
    • Monitoring Progress of IPF
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • PF Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
      • Update on Oxygen Use
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation
  • PF Advocacy & News
  • FAQ’s
    • Respiratory failure, NSIP, diet
    • Leg swelling, lung biopsy, side effects & pets
    • FAQ’s Enzyme Therapy, Progression of IPF & Oxygen
    • FAQ: Diarrhea, Fibrosis Reversal, IPF Symptoms
    • FAQ: Oxygen Flow, Anesthesia & Genetics
    • FAQ: Contagious Cough? Stem Cells, Familial IPF, Flying
    • FAQ: GERD, Fatigue & Environmental Exposure
    • FAQ: How to Travel to Your Doctor’s Office with Oxygen
    • FAQ: Lung Biopsy with Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • FAQ’s: Alcohol, Clinical Trials, Pulmonary Function Testing
    • FAQs: Emphysema, Exercise & Lung Biopsy

Emotional Issues Facing Lung Transplant Patients

January 4, 2018 By Dr. Jeremy Feldman

Lung transplant for IPFThe prospect of having a lung transplant may be overwhelming at first. Your main thoughts may be about the physical issues related to the lung transplantation process. But your emotional well-being is also critical.

It’s normal to go through a range of emotions during the pre-evaluation process, the waiting period and once the transplant has been performed. Understanding what you may experience and ways to deal with emotional issues can help you get through the process better.

The Importance of Emotional Well-Being Pre-and Post-transplant

There is a lack of scientific data relating to the impact of emotional status on medical outcome after a lung transplant. But it’s logical to consider that feeling better emotionally may lead to better compliance with your medical regimen.

Emotional state does play an important role in a person’s quality of life at all stages of the transplant process. Finding healthy ways to cope with negative emotions may improve optimism and allow for better adjustment to post-transplant life.

Common Emotions

From the initial transplant evaluation process through waiting for donor lungs and post-transplant, it’s common to experience a range of psychosocial issues. Some emotions may be negative and some positive. The following feelings are common:

  • Fear: Having a lung transplant can be a daunting process. It’s normal to worry about whether you will be accepted onto the transplant list. Other common fears may include the surgery itself and how the recovery process will progress.
  • Guilt: Some lung transplant recipients may feel guilty. Guilt may not only be associated with knowing a donor died for you to receive a transplant. But you may feel guilty about being dependent on family members during the process.
  • Sadness: By the time someone needs a lung transplant, their functional capacity has declined. It’s common to feel sad over the loss of functioning and the uncertainty about the future.
  • Relief: After being accepted onto the lung transplant list, positive emotions, such as relief, can also develop. It might be a weight off your shoulders to have gotten through the pre-transplant evaluation.
  • Gratitude: The time it takes to recover after a lung transplant often varies. But through the process, it’s common to feel a sense of gratitude for the gift you have received.

Ways to Cope with Feelings Related to A Lung Transplant

The healthier you go into a lung transplant both physically and mentally the better. Although everyone is different and deals with emotions in their own way, certain things may help. Consider the following suggestions to help you deal with feelings related to the lung transplantation process.

Learn as much as possible: If you know what to expect at different stages in the process, it may ease fears. You will likely be required to attend a lung transplant education class. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Talk it over: Sometimes talking about how you feel can be therapeutic. Consider talking about your fears or other issues with family members, friends or healthcare providers. It may also be helpful to join pulmonary rehabilitation support group.

Carry on: It can be difficult to go about your daily life when you are waiting for a call regarding a lung transplant or during recovery. But it may be helpful to continue to live your life. For example, see friends, pursue hobbies and do things you enjoy.

 

Content written by Dr. Jeremy Feldman, an expert in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, with contributions by MaryAnn DePietro, B.S. CRT, a licensed respiratory therapist. 

Filed Under: IPF Tips

Featured Blog Posts

Discussion about IPF

Top Questions to Ask Your Pulmonologist

pulmonary fibrosis journey

Pulmonary Fibrosis Support: A Patient’s Story

Holidays

Getting Through The Holidays

Recent Posts

  • Interstitial Lung Disease and Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Pamrevlumab Ineffective in Treating IPF
  • New Drugs Moving Forward for IPF

Search by Keyword (Examples: GERD, Coughing, Traveling, etc.)

Search by Category

Popular Articles

IPF patient with doctor

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options

What is IPF?

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and IPF
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy & Prognosis for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Diagnosing IPF

  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treating IPF

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation

Disclaimer