Thanks to Susan Simmons Holcomb for her article on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the September issue of Nursing2004. I'm a survivor of PAH, a silent, misunderstood disorder that most people, including nurses, just don't understand. I call it the "but you look so good" illness.
One point Ms. Holcomb should have addressed is financial assistance for patients who rely on epoprostenol (Flolan) or bosentan (Tracleer), expensive drugs that are way above most people's means. Also, patients need emotional support when they're trying to get on transplant lists and waiting for the call.