So sorry to hear this Anne.
The poor girl, as if it's not bad enough having RA at her age.
My lungs are not affected by RA but I know they can be.
Hopefully someone will be able to give you some advice.

Love Doreen xx

Hello Anne

I'm Ellie and I'm 62. I was diagnosed with RA in 1988. At present I'm injecting mtx 20/25mg (alternating weekly), also taking folic acid, and painkillers as necessary. I am also taking Alendronic 70mg per week for Osteoarthritis (but that's another story.)

I suffered throughout 2010 with lung infections - three major ones. I had chest x-rays in the early months and was taking various courses of antibiotics, together with inhalers and during this time was advised to stop the mtx. I tried other DMARDS to no effect and gradually got weaker and the RA more active and I was pretty low (it was during this time that I first posted here and got oodles of help and advice) you really do feel like crying a lot at times and the people who post here are very sympathetic.

Towards the end of the year, during my third chest infection, I was put back on mtx and Prednisoline, given a bumper steriod injection, more antibiotics and inhalers and sent for a CT Scan. By the time the scan results came back (after Christmas) I was responding to the medication but I was now left with mild COPD. I was then sent to an Airways Clinic for more tests and by this time I was feeling much better and could breathe normally. Happily, my airways tests were excellent and after three attendances I was discharged in March 2011.

Since then (fingers crossed) I have not contracted any further chest infections. I always have the annual flu jab now and I try to avoid very crowded venues, not always possible I know. I also try to get out into the fresh air (garden) at least once a day as I feel being couped up with windows and doors shut during the winter doesn't help respiration.

I believe the drugs I have taken over the years have weakened my immune system but I have never been told at any time that the RA could be attacking my lungs and making me susceptible to infections.

Hope some of my story helps.

Best wishes...

Ellie

No I don't
But I know someone who does
I had heard it was associated with severe disease
But the lady I know has ra lung
And is on mtx and leads a normal life- playing tennis etc!
She's 49
She went through a down patch with it last yr and they added in Slz but that's gone again now and she's fine on mtx again

Hi Anne

I'm going through a particuarly bad chest infection at the moment and the first lot of antibiltics hasn't worked so I'm going back to my gp. I can't remember the last time I had one and certianly not in the 5 yrs I've had RA although I'm well aware things can change.I had a couple of bad bouts of breathlessness last summer and my inhaler dosage was increased (I also have asthma) For about a year I've felt congested in my upper chest . I mentioned it to the rheummy in September .He didn't think it was RA related. It seems that a lot of people are getting chest infections at the moment- one theory I've heard is that we haven't had the cold weather to kill off the bugs (hard that on before!)

I 'm due to get my chest x ray results when I see the gp so we'll see what she has to say.

I hope you get some answers soon.

Maria

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all your helpful comments. She has now just been diagnosed with bronchiectasis, which is where the tubes in the lower lungs have become permanently enlarged, which means there is a lot of mucus build up and this easily gets infected. She also has infection throughout the lung. It does fit with all her symptoms, ie productive cough all the time. She's now on some different antibiotics as they now know which bug they need to fight and we go back next week. The service in Portsmouth has been excellent with the Consultant phoning me as they try different drugs - the second one since the CT scan, but the 4th so far - 2 week course of antibiotics, so she's now in her 8th week. She has to keep going with MTX as if its aggravated by the RA,, then that is important.

However, the condition is a chronic lung condition which may be caused by the RA. So she's moving consultant to Portsmouth for RA as her Chest consultant and my RA consultant meet once a month! So that sounds pretty good.

The downside, is that there is no cure, and you are generally on antibiotics pretty much the whole of you life (and she's only 22). Our GP just said, Oh dear you now have 2 chronic conditions!! We did have to call out the ambulance on Saturday as she could hardly breath, but steriods and oxygen helped, plus another 7 days of high dose steriods! They don't want her in hospital in case she catches something else... so I'm fine with that!

I am now having to play nurse (which I'm not very good at!) and providing regular meals and drinks! She's itching to get back to University in London, but knows she's not well enough...

So appointment next Tuesday with Respiratory Consultant to see how she's doing in the present and work out a long term strategy for the future.

I am thinking RA does have a lot to answer for....

I will let you know how we get on. I am so grateful for all the support here.

Anne

Hi Anne,

So sorry to hear what your daughter is going through, you must be very worried about her.
I do hope she starts to pick up soon and get get back to her uni.
You take care and make sure you get some rest inbetween your nursing duties and don't overdo it.
Thinking of you both.

Love Doreen xx