PHighting Words - a Column by Mike Naple

PHighting Words Mike Naple

Mike lives in Washington, DC, but calls San Diego home. Mike was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension five years ago. He also manages living with interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea, scoliosis, and a stutter. These chronic conditions are mostly invisible except for when Mike uses oxygen therapy while engaged in rigor exercise or activity. Mike is a communications professional who still works full time. He is excited for readers to join him as he navigates the intersections of living and working with chronic illness.

It’s only March and I’m already running out of spoons

In her classic 1990s song “Ironic,” Alanis Morissette sings about spoons. Describing life’s little ironies, the Canadian singer proclaims, “It’s like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife.” Hey, if Morissette doesn’t need any of those spoons, I’d be more than happy to take a few…

PH is rare; access to pulmonary rehab shouldn’t be

Do you know about pulmonary rehabilitation? Maybe you’ve participated in a few sessions or you have a loved one who did. I didn’t know about these programs until after I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH). I also didn’t fully appreciate the hurdles that prevent some people…

I love to cook, so how do I keep my sodium intake low?

While I take a fair amount of medication to manage my pulmonary hypertension (PH), sometimes the hardest pill to swallow is admitting when I fall short with my treatment plan. Earlier this month, I was at a restaurant sharing a meal with an old friend I hadn’t seen…

Join me this August in advocating for those who have PH

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (and again): Elected leaders in the United States need to hear from their constituents, which include many of us in the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community. The doldrums of August is the perfect time to connect with your members…

Let’s talk about and normalize sleep apnea

I can see the marks on my face most mornings when I look in the mirror. In my mind, the reddish lines and indentations look like well-worn train tracks. Lately, two small circular markings have made themselves known on each side of my nostrils. Those marks are from the straps…

Packing PH lessons for my next trip around the sun

Last month, Father Time strapped me to a rocket ship and shot me clear into the wild blue yonder of my fifth decade. That’s right: This geriatric millennial recently turned 40. I’m launching into a new decade and taking my pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis with me. If we’re…

Building momentum for supplemental oxygen reform

Do you use supplemental oxygen or know someone who does? We all need oxygen to breathe and to function. But most people breathe without giving it much thought. Yet some in the chronic illness and disability communities need a little extra help to ensure that oxygen flows throughout their…


A Conversation With Rare Disease Advocates