I have been having trouble with my breathing. I have had this for a long time and was diagnosed with restrictive lung disease from Polio.
But, since being diagnosed with RA (and because my lungs were already weak) it seems this is getting worse. I can only talk for a short time because I start to feel breathless. And my voice gets very soft unlike my usual start to the day when it is stronger. And I also feel like I have something heavy on my chest. So today I finally told my Rheumy who was very concerned and he said you can have lung disease along with RA and he is setting me up with a pulmonary doctor. Have any of you developed lung disease? If so, does it come and go with a flare or once it starts does it stay? Susan
Hi Susan,
I'm sorry you're having trouble with your breathing. I have not been diagnosed with lung disease, but I do have trouble breathing too. I have only recently been diagnosed with RA, but have had symptoms of autoimmune disease for many years in the past. Initially when symptoms would flare I would get Pleuritis and more recently when symptoms flared I did have trouble breathing. It's hard to explain, but it feels like I have a bunch of cotton in my chest that I am trying to breath through. Especially when I'm laying down. The RD told me this was RA related and the anti inflam did help alot. No tests have been scheduled as of yet, I'm still getting situated with meds and all.
I have a friend with LUPUS that has the same symptoms you describe. Short of breath and difficulty projecting her voice. It happens when she is in a flare, but I don't think she has been diagnosed with Lung disease. She usually ends up having to take pred when this happens. It does get better for her and then she tapers down and off of the pred.
I sure hope the Pulmonary specialist can give you some relief, that is a terrible feeling and only adds to the fatigue.
Let us know how you're doing, I'll be thinking of you,
I must say though, that after this last dosage of Mxt on Monday night, the chest pain and breathing problems are a little bit better. Maybe the Mxt is working? Saturday, Sunday and Monday seem to be the worst time for that symptom so I will know more as the week progresses . Maybe that happens because the Monday night Mxt dose is just wearing off? Who knows...you just get to thinking you have some answers and then everything changes again! Right? Anyway, I am going to a pulmonary specialist at the beginning of July. So hopefully he will have some answers concerning RA and lung problems and I will share them with you!
By the way, seems there is another Susan online with us. So I will add my middle name Lee. Look for Susan Lee so you can tell us apart! Welcome Susan! And hope you all had a better day!
"RA can also cause an emphesema like condition called rheumatoid lung that can affect a person's ability to breath comfortably."Karen; I get bad inflamation in my breast bones which feels like my chest that is related to RA also. My RD isn't alarmed by it either....says it's to be expected. An increase in my meds settles it down everytime.
SusanLee...mine was always worse right before my next dose of MTX, and right after as well. My doctor said it's because the MTX was wearing off, then the day after it hadn't had a chance to get in my system good yet. Once they increased the MTX I didn't have any problems for a couple years....at that point we increased the Humira; and it's keeping at bay for now.
Cold compresses also helps me.
Lovie
At one point, I had a spot on my lung that my doc said was a rheumatoid nodule, and he also dx me with emphesema at that time. When the RA went into remission, the nodule went away, and haven't had any breathing problems. I do occasionally get the chest bone pains since the RA is back in full swing again though. I'm hoping the Enbrel will begin to work soon. I'm ready to start feeling better.
Cris
WAYNEY--THANKS FOR THE LINKS. yOU ARE A WEALTH OF INFORMATION! THANKS MUCH!! LOTS OF GREAT INFO!