Effect of RA on heart and lungs

[lulul]

Hi been on mtx for 9 months and Humira for 6 weeks. Have gone downhill this week and had chest xrays. Now been told I need heart scan and Ct lungs. They are not sure if RA is attacking organs or the meds. Anyone had this ????

[Hidden]

I am so sorry to hear this lulu and hoping the tests are ok.. the disease can affect both.. but hard to say about the meds!? mtx however can affect the lungs

[Hidden]

It is a common procedure in RA to have both chest and lung x-rays, generally because of the RA itself which if aggressive enough can eventually attack the organs, although quite rare I believe.

It can of course be like you said because of the Humira, one of the side effects is TB, a chest x-ray and TB test is usually done before starting the treatment.

Have you had any problems concerning your heart?lungs?

Sometimes they are just being cautious, or they could be doing the tests ready for you to start another new treatment, seeing as your going downhill and staring to feel poorly this may be the case.

Try not to worry, better for them to check and be safe. I recently had to have a kidney scan due to pain in that area, my GP also explained about the RA attacking the organs,even though I knew all about it, and I think he was just being cautious too.

Take care

mand xx

[LavendarLady]

Hi Lulu. I agree with the others about the docs being cautious. MTX is a highly toxic drug and does cause a lot of side effects. These can be serious or relatively minor which is why we have the monthly blood tests so that these effects can be monitored.

I assume you had chest x rays etc before they put you onto MTX? Have you had a lot of colds with chest infections recently? That may be why the docs want to check with some tests.

I've had to have hip scans and shoulder scans recently and I anticipate a chest x-ray before long as I keep going down with chest infections.

Try not to worry too much. Have a chat with your GP or consultant about the tests and what they hope to achieve/find out etc. Also discuss alternative meds with them as well and how they propose to treat you for the future if you have to come off the MTX and humira. There are other perfectly good alternatives. Write questions down to take with you so you don't forget.

Let us know how you get on. Best wishes. LavendarLady x

[emandedmum]

Sorry to hear you're unwell, it's the last thing you need! Best of luck with the scans, it's definitely best to find out what is actually going on in there. Could I ask what symptoms you have had re chest? Take care of yourself and let us know how you get on xx

[Gina_K]

HI LuLu,

Sorry to hear you not well, have you had a chest infextion or a cough? Did you have chest xray and skin biopsy before starting Humira? As previosly said I think quite rare to affect

[Gina_K]

Heart/ Lungs, but still systemic disease means can affect all organs.

Try not to worry would say just being cautious and sounds like good care. keep in touch.

Gina.

[lulul]

Thanks all..I have had no temperature or cough just extreme breathlessness. As if I have run a marathon(LOL) they think something is aggravating the lung lining or my heart is not working properly so getting short of breath.

[Julie1]

Sure they are just being cautious.I to have had several chest infections.

[Gina_K]

Anaemia can also make you breathless. I was once so anaemic had to have blood tranfusions! Was very breathless, and pounding in ears and fast heart beat, so weak could'nt even straighten bed covers! Not to do with RA pre RA days. My blood count was 6 its a hearty 13 now.