lung disease related to RA.

[helenlw7]

I have asthma, bronchiecstasis and ILD, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. The RA was diagnosed 20 years ago, the asthma and bronchiecstasis 12 years ago, and the ILD earlier this year, and at a rheumatology appointment this week, I was told that my ILD was caused by the RA. Is anyone else in the same situation?

[Caspiana]

Hi Helen. Me 🙋. My lung disease was caused by RA too. 🙁 Interstitial lung disease is an umbrella term for so many conditions, has your been identified?

Love,

Cas xx ❤

[helenlw7 in reply to Caspiana]

It hasn’t yet, or I haven’t been told. I was supposed to be being discussed at the October multidisciplinary meeting. My brother has IPF but doesn’t have RA.

[Caspiana in reply to helenlw7]

I would ask what kind it is. I think it's important. xx

[helenlw7 in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks, I will.

[Maz1954]

I have ra related ild , pulmonary fibrosis , there are drugs which help slow down the progression ,I'm under brompton who are the best .. all the best

[sassy59]

You’ve had two good replies so far Helen with more to come perhaps. Thinking of you and sending good wishes.

Carole xxx❤️🤗

[Alberta56]

I have RA and bronchiectasis, but no-one has ever said they're related.

[helenlw7 in reply to Alberta56]

I think it’s the ILD that is RA related.

[Alberta56 in reply to helenlw7]

Thanks.

[Izb1]

My gp told me when first diagnosed that heart and lung problems come with r.a. sadly she has now left the practice, I feel she would have looked after me better x

[helenlw7 in reply to Izb1]

I’ve known from the beginning that I may get related heart and lung issues, also that RA is life shortening, which I didn’t really want to know!

[Izb1 in reply to helenlw7]

Not so sure it is life shortening, my mum had ra lived through heart failure but lived until she was almost 88

[Sunshinealways1]

Hi Helen. I was diagnosed with RA 25 years ago. Following Covid my immune system was so compromised that I now have two severe lung infections- Nocardia and TB! I was put on very strong antibiotics, which have subsequently seriously affected my liver and kidneys (not certain what's worse!)Unfortunately RA is one of those conditions that does compromise your entire immune system, particularly as we get older (I'm now in my mid 70's).

I wish your husband well and hope he receives the treatment he needs. Best wishes

[Dottie11]

I have read articles with it linked to Vasculitis. I think so many of our conditions link into these lung and heart issues. I often wonder if in many decades to come there might be one particular link to it all. Good luck and take care. xx

[Patk1 in reply to Dottie11]

I think so too Dottie11.howre u feeling now x

[Dottie11 in reply to Patk1]

I am now weight stable which is good. I have a visit to Endocrinologist coming up and will know more then. My dentist has written another letter to the hospital. He has never seen anyone take as long to heal before. Three months and still little progress. He is very experienced and has decades of work under his belt. I am concentrating on nutrition, rest, meditation, graded exercise as so weak. But most importantly trying to keep a sinus issue from going to my lungs. So far so good. Thank you for asking. How are you ? xx

[Patk1 in reply to Dottie11]

Gd to hear you've made some progress.i hope yr mouth heals soon,it's dragged on 4u.i hope yr endo are gd & can help. Ive had the hardest yr of my life, with severity of AI+ no professional input whatsoever : (Family put foot down+been given 1st endocrinology appointment nxt week 🤞🙏 ,11mths aft sst showed I've no cortisol! I'm cautiously optimistic+ hopeful

I hope ucan get sinuses clear.i use steroid nose spray,antihistamines+ sterimar,+ decongestants at times.my sister was given a mometasone spray recently + it cleared her sinusitis.ive not tried that 1 x

[Dottie11 in reply to Patk1]

mometasone spray -I have used in the past but sometimes makes my nose very dry and bleeds. Wishing you the very best for your Endo appointment. I really understand your comments re professional input , agree 100%. Deserve better and it seem to always come down to having to keep pushing for help. xx

[Patk1 in reply to Dottie11]

Thanx Dottie. Yes and even then, they don't seem to " hear" or comprehend the struggles we have.i hope yr endos a gd one x