Chest infection

[Sherlock11]

I have seronegative RA, which I have had for 25 years or so. For quite some time now its been fairly quiet, but since March I have been troubled with chest infections. Indeed since November I haven't been able to get rid of one despite having specimens sent and having the correct antibiotics. The bug I'm dealing with is pseudomonas and it doesn't want to go. I wonder if anyone else out there has the same problem and is it common for us. TIA.

[helenlw7]

I’ve had RA for 20 years but also have asthma and other lung diseases. Chest infection aren’t good for this, so about 8 years ago my consultant put be on and antibiotic, Azithromycin, and I’ve only had one chest infection in that time, until I was taken off the Azithromycin in favour of a different RA drug. In 3 months I got 3 chest infections, the last one ending up as pneumonia and a 7 week hospital stay! Other people in this group are on Azithromycin as a prophylactic.

[wilbertjellyfish]

Pseudomas is a really hard bug to get rid off unfortunately. Personally not had it but in my work as a vet we see it frequently in skin infections and it's awful to kill off. Sorry, usually I'd you have an antibiotics it's sensitive to and keep going. The problem is likely penetration of the antibiotics into your lungs isn't good enough for the antibiotics to be in high enough concentration to work.

[Sherlock11 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Oh dear! Never mind I'll just have to hope I at least can stop coughing.

[Retirednhs]

Yes it is common for RA patients but not all however it is worse for all people with auto immune diseases than others an quick treatment is the answer some doctors let patients have a course of medication at their homes to enable a quick start in coping with it if it becomes a a persistent part of your health problemsGood health to you this year 😀

[medway-lady]

Not that one but something else and I did a course a lung gym! it worked we were taught how to cough (really helped) and that was 4 years ago and I've not had an infection since. But at the time I took 2 lots although I can't remember what they were as previously I'd had 9 lots in 12 months none of which helped. I still do the exercises as they really did help. Look up Huff coughing to clear the airways. Its odd but works.

[Green230461]

hope you start to feel better soon 👍

[Sherlock11 in reply to Green230461]

Thanks, I'm just wondering if I should let my Rheumatologist know of my infections. My Gp hasn't asked me to but I just wonder if I should.

[Justanothermama in reply to Sherlock11]

I’d definitely inform my rheumatologist if it were me. Best wishes for a speedier recovery.

[Green230461]

My rheummy team are always keen to know if there is something untoward going on as it is usually to do with RA. 😒

[Sherlock11 in reply to Green230461]

Yes mine are the same, although I have 2 separate clinics for two rheumatology conditions, so I think I'll go for the local one.

[pippin_fort]

I have exactly the same problem. I also have severe asthma, bronchiectasis and adrenal insufficiency. I can no longer take Ciprofloxacillin which is one of the favourites for this bug. I have also got Klebsiella as well as pseudemonas. The Drs now say that they are colonised in my lungs. I had a useless consultant who did not do enough for me and the infections have now become serious. Today I have started a 14 day course of intravenous antibiotics Piperacillin/Tazobactam which I am having as an outpatient but I have to go to the hospital daily. I have been advised that the antibiotics are unlikely to completely eradicate the bugs but they should dampen them down to make me feel a bit better. I have been ill all year so am really hoping it will make a difference. I would ask about other treatments and if you don’t have a respiratory consultant ask to be referred ASAP. I am on Azithromycin which I take Monday/Weds/Fri all the time in any event. I would have a chat with your GP and your Rheumy. Good luck.

[SuriL]

hi - thank you so very much for this post - I had an ongoing cough for what seems like forever. It was productive and just not going despite the usual amoxicillin etc. I was also told the bacteria present was associated with skin (eill check if the same u had) but nothing cured it I ended up in hospital and had some antibiotics which seemed to have worked. Im surprised that GPs don’t know about the association of RA/coughing. I never contacted my RA team but must be brave abd start doing so now.

[Sherlock11 in reply to SuriL]

I've let one of my RA team know, now I just need to let the other.