Move from Colorado to Arizona

April 1, 2009

I am an IPF diagnosed August 2006. Am contemplating a move from

high altitude Colorado Springs (6200 ft) to possibly Mesa or Chandler

Az (1200 ft) Has anyone in this group done that, or something similar, and did

you see a benefit from 5000 ft lower altitude? I just got back from Tucson (2200

ft) and could see some difference in O2 needs. Unfortunatily decline in home

prices here makes some difference financially, but on the other end, they have

declined even more.

Thanks for any input.

Bud Mc.

April 1, 2009

Bud

There is definitely benefit in a lower altitude. The amount of oxygen

needed should decrease. However, you need to make sure you consider all

factors. In Denver you're close to one of the finest PF Centers in the

country. I don't know the quality of care available in Mesa. Then there

are all the factors not related to PF to think about. When you do have a

choice on where to live, there are so many factors to consider.

>

> I am an IPF diagnosed August 2006. Am contemplating a move from

> high altitude Colorado Springs (6200 ft) to possibly Mesa or Chandler

> Az (1200 ft) Has anyone in this group done that, or something similar,

and did you see a benefit from 5000 ft lower altitude? I just got back

from Tucson (2200 ft) and could see some difference in O2 needs.

Unfortunatily decline in home prices here makes some difference

financially, but on the other end, they have declined even more.

> Thanks for any input.

> Bud Mc.

>

April 2, 2009

Hi Bud,

I am a newbie but have lived in Phoenix since before my dx. There are

several things to think about. One - you will be going from " clean "

Colorado air to " dirty " valley air. Now that air is much drier except

during the monsoon and that does make a big difference. Always harder

to breath in July-September. Also once you leave the heights you won't

be going back. I can no longer go above 5000 feet unless I'm simply

sitting still. So see the Grand Canyon on your way, stop in Flagstaff

cuz you won't being going back. I miss not being able to do the Canyon

again. Now this is personal experiance of course but altitude is

altitude. Of course we have the UMC in Tucson for transplant issues. I

found out I can go there but must lose much weight before even being

evaluated. Will try but we all know what prednisone does for the

appetite:)

Dyane Phoenix, AZ Psoriasis, GERD, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia,

Lipodermatesclerosis, and of course IPF 02

>

> I am an IPF diagnosed August 2006. Am contemplating a move from

> high altitude Colorado Springs (6200 ft) to possibly Mesa or Chandler

> Az (1200 ft) Has anyone in this group done that, or something similar,

and did you see a benefit from 5000 ft lower altitude? I just got back

from Tucson (2200 ft) and could see some difference in O2 needs.

Unfortunatily decline in home prices here makes some difference

financially, but on the other end, they have declined even more.

> Thanks for any input.

> Bud Mc.

>

April 2, 2009

Dyane

So many individual things that play a role. For instance, allergies

which for most of us vary from place to place and may not really surface

for some time. Another you mention is that you do better in the dry air.

Cold dry air is horrible for me and even warm I do well with humidity.

Now I don't do well with the 105-110 degree days here. But, my allergies

and sinuses are so much better in humid air. For a million other

reasons, one person's paradise may not be another's.

> >

> > I am an IPF diagnosed August 2006. Am contemplating a move from

> > high altitude Colorado Springs (6200 ft) to possibly Mesa or

Chandler

> > Az (1200 ft) Has anyone in this group done that, or something

similar,

> and did you see a benefit from 5000 ft lower altitude? I just got back

> from Tucson (2200 ft) and could see some difference in O2 needs.

> Unfortunatily decline in home prices here makes some difference

> financially, but on the other end, they have declined even more.

> > Thanks for any input.

> > Bud Mc.

> >

>

April 4, 2009

hi, scott

interesting on how the weather affects different people. for me it's the opposite, cold is good, hot is bad. love to go to the beach on a cool windy day. aaaaaaaaaaaaah!

ken o.

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2009 10:56:32 PMSubject: Move from Colorado to Arizona

Hi Bud,

My name is and I live in Anthem Arizona, about 30 miles north of the Phoenix metropolitan area. I was dx with IPF in 5/07, I am not on oxygen and have found that

living where I live has been good for me, our community has a great health club that I work

out at 4-5 days a week and the air is better than what you will find in the Mesa, Chandler area. Mesa, Chandler, does get some viscious dust storms in the monsoon season which

would not be good for you. I like it where I live now, but I have been traveling up to Lake Havasu City where my son has a home and have found that the air quality is even better yet and my sats with exertion have stayed higher by 3-4 % that they do when I am in Anthem.

The elevation in Havasu varies from 500-1600 feet and there are homes at every elevation.

Like Bruce said, there are many factors to consider, how far along has the IPF progressed, are you on O2 yet, do you need to be near a hospital, medical needs, etc, etc.

I don't require much medical attention at this point and am not willing to stand around and wait to die, I try to live a normal life while "listening" to my body, so I am currently exploring the possibility of moving to Lake Havasu City and having a more adventurous life instead of being in the city. I'm sure down the road I may have to readjust my priorities, but thats just part of life right?

The Drs that I have used in the Phoenix area have been very good for me. I have a great pulmonoligist, Vats surgeon was terrific (no side effects and felt terrific after surgery), I am now in a drug study (Bosentan) that my Pulmonoligist got me into right away, all in all I have had zero complaints with my current medical team. I have met two people that have had lung transplants at the St. phs' hospital in Phoenix and a third person on the waiting list.

I was born and raised in Washington State, but have found that the warmer and dryer weather of Az. has been better for me. Last year, the hotter it got ( 100-110)---the better I could breathe, I hope thiis year it is the same.

Everyone is different, so I would reccommend that you try it out down here before you sell and move---it could be the worst mistake or the best move you ever made.

If you would like more information, I would be happy to help, you can use this forum or contact me personally by my Email.

G. UIP/IPF 5/07 AZ.

April 4, 2009