PH and "The New Normal": For Newly Diagnosed

Help For Newly Diagnosed Patients

You've just been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.

Now what? No doubt you're going through a whole lot right now. Emotions everywhere. Fear. Sadness. Maybe desperation. I promise you, there is hope.

For a lot of great resource, visit the NEWLY DIAGNOSED page at PHA. They can send you the "Patient Survivor Guide" and the "Envelope of Hope". Be sure to request both.

My top tips:

1) Make sure your health is the hands of a PH specialist. Not just a cardiologist. Not just a pulmonologist. But a true specialist in the disease - a doctor who treats a lot of PH patients, handles the most complicated of medical therapies, and stays on top of the rapidly emerging research.

2) Connect with other patients. Get help from those who have been through it, and can give you a listening ear. You can find them through PHA and on Facebook. You can always contact me: phandthenewnormal@gmail.com

3) Take care of yourself. Feel what you need to feel. But remember to sleep enough, eat right, and breathe. Eventually, after you've started your treatments, and under the advice of your specialist, you should try to exercise as best you can.

And check out these great videos to help you begin to understand.