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Qualifying for Zephyr valves for emphysema after lung cancer
Lung Health | Last Active: Jul 11, 2022 | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
I was very interested in the zephyr valve. I was given a triage appointment. I was very excited as you would expect with level 4 COPD end of life. My wife and I entertained the triage appointment. And this gave me a little bit of Hope that things could maybe be better. As I had done some research on this zephyr valve. I was later giving a response of not being a likely candidate for a zephyr valve. To be honest I was somewhat crushed. So I inquired as far as the reasoning why I was not eligible. To this date I have never received a reason why I was not eligible.
So I guess all the more reason to put my trust fa ith and Hope into a mighty God that we serve. Wishing you all the best
Replies to "I was very interested in the zephyr valve. I was given a triage appointment. I was..."
Have you looked into COPD trials to see if there are any new medications that would suit you better? There are several COPD organizations that might lead you to more answers.
https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Get-Involved.aspx
Let's keep trying to find answers for you and not settle on one answer. If you google Zephyr procedures in the US there are many sites that might help you find what you are looking for. What do you think?
I went to my pulmonologist, but he wasn't very knowledgeable about the Zephyr valve procedure. He sent me to one that does perform the procedure. I went through the steps and was told I was a candidate. Then Covid hit, and I had to wait because hospitals were full. After the worst of it was over, I went back to the pulmonologist and had to go through all the steps and tests again. I did that, and when I went to schedule a date for the procedure I was told I was no longer a candidate. The reason I was given, was my CO2 level was too high. He did not tell me what it needed to be at but my pulmonologist put me on a home ventilator that I used when I slept. That was supposed to bring my CO2 levels down. I still haven't gotten the procedure but I'm not giving up. Maybe you can ask if that was why you were not a candidate.
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I'd actually gotten a list of requirements for the Zephyr from my Pulmonologist, but I never proceeded with the application. I'd need another PFT, and I remember the walk test needed to be at a specific number. I wish I'd saved the information. There were some co-conditions, maybe some heart problems, that could rule you out. I'd suggest you ask your doctor for a copy of the guidelines. You can go down the list and figure out what the denial revolved around.