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I JUST FOUNDI HAVE EARLY CHRONIC INTERTITIAL LUNG DISEASE THANKS TO THE RA OR THE MEDS. HAVE ANY OF YOU HAD THIS AND WHAT TYPE OF TREATMENT ARE YOU TAKING FOR IT? FROM WHAT I'VE READ, LIFE EXPECTANCY IS QUIT SHORT AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH IT.

 
                                       DON
Donn, I don't have experience with this, but I did want to let you know how sorry I am to hear this.  I hope someone here can give you some concrete info.  I hope it isn't as serious as you have read and can be treated successfully.
 
Best wishes to you Donn.
 
Karen
Donn......I don't know anything about it either.  Like Hill, I am so sorry to hear it.  Don't give up hope.  Things may not be as bad as they seem right now.  Please keep us posted on what you find out.  I'll add you to my prayer list, and that's a promise.Donn, I am so sorry about your diagnosis.  I don't know where you live but there are places that specialize in this disease.  I found this one on line, maybe you can get some info there?
http://simmonscenterild.upmc.com/  It is located in Pittsburgh, I don't know anything about it but maybe you can find some answers there.

My heart goes out to you, Donn.  I hope you find the answers you seek and your way is filled with healing light.

Interstitial lung disease -- a large group of disorders that involve inflammation of the lower respiratory tract and breakdown of the structures that transfer oxygen to the bloodstream -- is prevalent and progressive in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study utilizing high-resolution computed tomography lung scans.

The prevalence of symptomless interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, Dr. Bernadette R. Gochuico and colleagues note in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Nonetheless, given the availability of new therapeutic options, early identification and treatment may improve outcomes.

The investigators studied 64 patients with RA without lung symptoms like shortness of breath or cough and 10 patients with RA and scarring of the lungs (also called pulmonary fibrosis).

High-resolution computed tomography identified "preclinical" interstitial lung disease in 21 of the 64 RA patients without lung symptoms (33 percent), Gochuico and colleagues report.

Air flow and lung volumes were normal in the interstitial lung disease patients at baseline, but gas exchange was impaired compared with subjects with no interstitial lung disease.

During an average follow-up of 2 years, repeat scanning showed disease progression in 12 individuals with preclinical interstitial lung disease and in 6 with pulmonary fibrosis.

"In this cohort of patients with RA, preclinical interstitial lung disease is prevalent and progressive," Gochuico's team writes. "The natural history of disease resembles that of pulmonary fibrosis."

History of smoking may be a risk factor for development of interstitial lung disease in patients with RA, the investigators note. Two thirds of patients with lung disease and less than one quarter without lung disease had a history of smoking, and the average number of "pack-years" smoked was significantly higher in the lung disease group.

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, January 28, 2008.
 
Donn, progression can be very slow or just about non existent.  I was diagnosed with ILD about 10 years ago and I have fibrosis of lower lobes.  They haven't changed over the last 10 years.  Knowing this my doctors put their heads together and decided that I could go on MXT.  It's been 4 years and to date no problems.  In fact I was sicker before dmards and biologics than what I've been since I started them.  I had pneumonia 4 times in as many years and once I started the meds I've been symptom and pulmonary disease free.  My doctors keep a very close eye and ear on my pulmonary status.   Listen to your doctors.  Find the best pulmonologist that you can find and make sure all your doctors work together.  It can be scary when you're first diagnosed but I'm still alive, kicking, golfing, walking, very little shortness of breath, and so far ok with it.  Lindy


http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/168/2/159
Lindy, you are the best!  We are so lucky to have you here!  Thank-you so much! sorry about that, Donn...... you're in my thoughts and prayers...... I hope you find something that works..
 
Mayo Clinic is big on this disease too.....http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/interstitial-lung-disease/DS00592/DSECTION=causes
 
we're all at risk for this..... 
  • Other medical conditions. Interstitial lung disease can occur with other disorders. Often, those conditions don't directly attack the lungs, but instead involve systemic processes that affect tissue throughout the body. Among these are connective tissue disorders and hematological diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, Sjogren's syndrome and sarcoidosis.
    • My sister-in-law has pulmonary fibrosis of unknown origins. Like Lindy she was diagnosed about ten years. Her diagnosis came after successive episodes of pneumonia that did not respond to antibiotic therapy.

    She has moderate shortness of breath upon exertion but that seldom limits her daily or recreational activities.

    Lindy's suggestion of finding a pulmonary specialist and getting all of your physicians involved in your care is the best advice anyone can offer.

    Best wishes.

    THANKS TO ALL,

     
                                           DON
    Donn,

    Sorry to hear of your DX. I wish you all the best for an outcome more like LinB was able to achieve. We're here for you if you need support.
    Donn,
    I'm sorry to hear about this news.  How were you diagnosed?
     
    [QUOTE=DONN]I JUST FOUNDI HAVE EARLY CHRONIC INTERTITIAL LUNG DISEASE THANKS TO THE RA OR THE MEDS. HAVE ANY OF YOU HAD THIS AND WHAT TYPE OF TREATMENT ARE YOU TAKING FOR IT? FROM WHAT I'VE READ, LIFE EXPECTANCY IS QUIT SHORT AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH IT.
     
                                           DON
    [/QUOTE] I'm so sorry!  Please make sure your doctors give you as much info as you need.

    PHAT,

    I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN X-RAY AND A CT SCAN OF THE LUNGS. I JUST HAD A PULMONARY TEST WHICH WILL BE FAXED TO THE DOC THIS WEEK AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE
                                                         DON
    Donn, I sure hope all of this goes well for you and it's mild and asymptomatic.  Take care.  Lindy
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