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?

[Chocnbags]

Yes I have ILD cause by RA , I have had it for 4 years now . It hasent progressed much . I do worry about it a lot

[helenlw7 in reply to Chocnbags]

Are you on medication for it?

[medway-lady]

I’ve got Cylindrical Bronchectasis only found when I had a series of infections, I did a Lung Rehabilitation Course organised by Pulmanory Consultant and never opened the out of date rescue antibiotics in the cupboard in five years. It did really help me especially huff coughing which works. I know mine is genetic but not if it’s related to RA and no other lung issues.

[Deeb1764]

I have COPD my Ra consultants says not related to RA if ILD would be but he felt the gene/lifestyle was there and with having RA it’s been exacerbated.

Brain fog today so not sure of words right. I am a non smoker but my work life has meant could have been in situations that create COPD etc. and RA was a possible trigger to set things off.

However my thoracic and heart consultants both said RA can cause COPD due to inflammation .

So who knows 😂

Hope that makes sense.

[helenlw7 in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you for replying. I do see what you mean. I’ve never smoked, but my dad smoked for all our growing up years so my sister and brother and were passive smokers. Incidentally, my brother was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis two years ago.

[Llanberisman]

I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, about 8 years after RA. Was told this was a result of RA. Am taking nintedanib (ufev), which appears to stop progression.

[helenlw7 in reply to Llanberisman]

Thanks for responding. My brother has PF and he is on Nintedanib. He’s lost loads of weight!

[Llanberisman in reply to helenlw7]

I lost huge amounts of weight…8 inches off my waist, even. Appetite is slowly retuning, thankfully.

[helenlw7]

I hope the tablets continue to work for you.

[Runrig01]

I have ankylosing spondylitis, and was diagnosed in 2021 with pulmonary fibrosis in my lower lobe of my right lung. I’m fortunate that it has remained stable. My rheumatologist blamed the MTX and told me to stop, but when I seen the respiratory specialist, she said that thought is outdated, and that MTX actually delays the onset, so she restarted my MTX. I have yearly lung function tests, which are stable. Although I do get breathless on stairs and inclines. I gave the added complication of having no chest expansion as my ribs are fused. I use a small device that helps exercise the muscles in the lung, which helps

[helenlw7]

Thanks for the response. I too take mtx so I’m glad you were told you it wasn’t the cause of the of. Mtx was a life saver for me. On the occasions I’ve had to stop it for major infections, my mobility has gone backwards.