RA

[Maidstone13]

Hi

I leave with RA for 8 years now, I was first diagnosed with RA when I was 33. For 5 months I have a cough which wouldn’t go. Just wondering if anyone with RA has or had before something like this?

Thank you

[PinkLamb]

Hi Maidstone13

Have you spoken with your Rheumatology Nurses, or your GP about this, I think that's what I would do, they will be able to advise you,

All the best, hope that you feel better soon love

Pinklamb

[Maidstone13]

Hi Pinklamb

I did , I had xray, chest ct scan done but they don’t know why I have the cough. Love Maidstone 13

[wishbone]

You need to see someone about it. Are you taking methotrexate by any chance as that can cause chest problems?

[Maidstone13]

Hi,

No Im not on Methotrexate anymore, wasn’t helping me at all, Im on Leflunomide.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Maidstone13, welcome. I wonder, has you Rheumy never questioned your cough? You don't mention which meds you're being treated with but one DMARD which has the ability to affect the lungs is methotrexate, why we have a chest X-ray before starting it to check you're ok to proceed.

Acid reflux can cause a persistent cough but if you don't have that (GERD) that could be ruled out.

I take it you're not a smoker, or ex smoker come to that. For obvious reasons it can cause coughing.

A cough doesn't necessarily have to originate in the lungs though so if your GP hasn't found the cause or any treatment hasn't helped any it might be an idea to ask to be referred to ENT at hospital.

I hope you get to the bottom of what's causing it.

[PinkLamb]

Hi,

Yes, you definitely need to speak, see someone about it, I am surprised that your health professionals aren't looking into this for you, even if they do not know, they need to refer you to someone who can look into it for you,

Don't take no for an answer love.

Pinklamb

[Maidstone13 in reply to PinkLamb]

Hi Pinklamb

They sent me for a respiratory test, I told them I’m not sure how I can do a respiratory test because my GP gave me a peak flow meter I have to record the readings on a chart, even using that makes me short of breath so I really dont know how I will do a proper respiratory test . I suggested a lung function test probably would be better but obviously they know better then I do. XX

[Maidstone13]

Hi Nomoreheels,

My RA consultant sent me to have CT, xray. But the results came back ok. I’m not on Methotrexate anymore, it wasn’t helping me at all. I started with Humira then went on to Rituximab, Tocilizumab, and Im on Abatacept now. So I went through the whole steps of the RA treatment but till now nothing really worked for me. X

[nomoreheels in reply to Maidstone13]

Has ILD never been been considered (Interstitial Lung Disease) or investigated? It is a comorbidity of RD, specifically RA/ILD. nras.org.uk/the-effects-of-...

[Maidstone13]

Hi,

They said there is nothing wrong my lungs. But thank you for your advice I will ask my RA consultant. X

[Fruitandnutcase]

As a very outside guess - and as you have been checked for everything else - you’re not by any chance taking lisinopril for blood pressure? That can cause a cough. Also have they investigated sarcoidosis? I have a friend who has that and she has a dreadful cough.

[Maidstone13]

Hi Fruitandnutcase

No, I’m not on Lisinopril. I only had xRay, CT scan nothing else. They haven’t investigated anything else. X

[5halifax]

Could it perhaps be a dry cough from secondary Sjogren’s? I hope you are able to figure it out and get some relief xx

[Maidstone13 in reply to 5halifax]

Hi 5halifax

I really have no idea what is it. Thank you for your kind wishes x

[Joy_1]

Hi Maidstone

I have RA with lung involvement. In fact my RA started with a persistent dry cough rather than with a joint issue.

Sounds like you have had all the 'lung checks' I had. In my case I had a chest x-ray in the first instance followed by a CT scan and a whole battery of lung function tests. My lung issue thankfully is classified as mild and thanks to the Prof was stopped in its tracks some 6 years ago with no progression to date.

If it were me I would now check all your Patient Information Leaflets for side effects thoroughly. I recall when I started on my immunosuppressant that I put on half a stone within a couple of weeks. My consultant (not the Prof) told me that the drug would not be the cause of my weight gain, but buried near the bottom of a long list of side effects was 'may cause weight gain'.

So that day it was I that taught him something new!

[Gigi71]

Did they find you have a hiatus hernia, I do and it the cause of my chronic cough, I have to now take Gaviscon Advance as well as Lansoprazol. I am waiting for the results of my CT scan in October as they are investigating ILD I do know I have some fibrosis. Should get the full picture on the 25th of this month when I see the respiratory consultant again. It took 2 years to be referred as my first CT scan only showed a white opacity and not considered a problem. See if you can be referred to a respiratory consultant. All the best. X

[Maidstone13 in reply to Gigi71]

Hi Gigi

My CT was normal. I will have a respiratory test on the 27th of this month, I don’t know what this involves but it should be with a respiratory consultant so I hope he/she will tell me something. X

[Gigi71]

I had a respiratory test was just two test involving blowing into a machine. I have never smoked, so I think my tests were fairly good. My breathing is good at rest, only a problem when I am walking, that is also partly due to pain with my back problems. I know some people get a cough with certain blood pressure tablets. I do hope you get an answer soon. X