Hi Louise
Oh my goodness tell me about it!!
I have been having breathlessness problems, mainly on exertion, for 5/6 months. As my drugs have changed continuously over the last two years it has been difficult to pinpoint a possible cause. I have put on about 2.5st due to high dose prednisolone so tended to put the tight chest, wheezing, shortness of breath down to being generally unfit and overweight. However, 2 weeks ago I decided enough was enough and a small increase in my white cell count made me think I might have a low grade persistent infection. So off I toddle to the GP!
I fully expected to come out with my mitts tightly grasping a prescription for antibiotics ... no such luck! Doc is very concerned that I might have lung disease (due to methotrexate, leflunomide is similar) so I leave with a ticket for an urgent x-ray, do not pass go do not collect the measly £200 ... go straight to hospital!! I did.
That was on the Friday. The following Tuesday I had an urgent rheumatology appointment. Rheumatologist tells me "x-rays fine, no change from previous ones". Goodo, at least I can cross lung disease off the list, phew!
Wednesday I go for spirometry. Used the inhaler as instructed before appointment, not that it made a scrap of difference, and proceeded with the deep breathing and exhaling! Not only did I pass the ruddy tests I excelled apparently
Duh ...
However on the Thursday my chest was so tight and it took me three hours to get my breath back after getting up, getting washed, making the expedition downstairs and drinking a mug of tea!
Went back to see my GP today who is at a loss as to what the problem is. The inhaler has no effect which appears to rule out asthma. I am always anaemic, Hb never reaches the minimum of 11.0 and hovers at about 9.0. He thinks perhaps the combination of anaemia and weight gain might be the problem, but admitted it was a shot in the dark. As of today I'm on yet another course of iron! If no luck it will be referral to a respiratory specialist.
After all this palaver I now have a tight chest almost all the time and I get out of breath even more easily!
Louise, Humira may be a possible cause, but I think for now all you can do is complete the course of antibiotics and give it a further 5 days or so. If no joy, perhaps a word with your rheumatology nurse, if you have one, failing that a further visit to your GP. I tried anti-histamine for a few days in case I'd developed something but they didn't work either! The upside for me is that whilst my breathing has been bad, my brain hasn't been able to deal with joint problems as well! Now then which do I want, breathing issues or joint problems?
Keep us posted Louise,
Lyn x
