Hi
Some of you may remember me as the neurotic woman who keeps
posting,
"do I have RA??"
I went to the doc today for lung pain (left side only) and for my stiff joints
in my hands. Turns out I have pleurisy on that left side (VERY painful)
and any xray of my hand is normal for now. I am still going to be sent for
lots of bloodwork, but my doc wanted at least a baseline in terms of an
xray. I have a good doctor - he is awesome!
I just now started researching pleurisy only to find that it can be
associated with many things, but one of those things is RA!! Is that
ominous? EEK! Has anyone else had this association? Thanks a bunch!
No, I have not had that association. However, I have read that RA can cause a lot of lung problems for us. Like bronchitis, pluerisy, pneumonia, and other things.
I hope you feel better soon!! My husband has had pleurisy (he is a welder it is caused by inhaling all the dust and crud they do) and it is soooooooo painful it made him cry at the doc office. I so feel for you!
I had a bout of pleurisy along with other infections and soon after was hit hard with RA. My Dr told me then that RA is associated with pleurisy.I've had pleuresy and pneumonia, but rather than "associated with RA," I would say that RA folks might be more suseptible to the bugs that cause the the pleuresy and pneumonia.OMG Janis, is this really you? I remember you from the old AI board when Kimmy was in control. There are some really nice folks here that you would enjoy chatting with Janis. Nice to see you!Yes, RA can affect the lungs with pluerisy. Also a condition called RA lung, additionally, rheumatoid nodules can form in the lungs from RA and there's a reaction to MTX that can occur in the lungs and is quite dangerous if the MTX isn't stopped. The lungs can be quite affected by RA. The sack around the heart can become inflammed and fuild filled also.
Yes RA likes to play pluerisy and it is a reality for me and quite painful.
jode
I'm a newbie and hope this is the correct procedure as such, if not so be it....My own experience ...I took MXT when I was first diagnosed with RA. After 2 weeks I had very sore throat and my joints were much more painfull. Diagnosis..most likely MXT lung. Please be aware of this when taking MXT for the first time. I just discovered your forum and love the great info...Thanks JK Just want to say welcome to the board nabeel!