When you were diagnosed with arthritis, did your doctor mention the possibility of lung complications? Do you have a pulmonary specialist on your medical team? Have you had a chest scan since your arthritis diagnosis (as a baseline for comparative purposes in the future)?
Typically the conversation of arthritis and lung disease is uncommon during routine office visits or after being diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder or arthritis, but something we should all be aware of. Unless symptoms are present, doctors rarely discuss the combination of arthritis and lung complications, which is understandable given the numerous secondary illnesses and side effects linked to arthritis and related diseases.
Three weeks after the birth of my son, I started injections to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After more than a year of considering this drug and multiple discussions with the rheumatologist about the need for aggressive therapies, I agreed this was my only option and trusted his care. Unfortunately, he neglected to inform me of the risks related to my lungs, causing me to learn about this combination the hard way.
On my tenth week of injections, I developed a dry cough and breathing was difficult. The rheumatologist took a chest X-ray and said I had pneumonia in my right lung. He gave me a prescription to treat it then proceeded with my weekly injection. The following week, my symptoms worsened. After a second X-ray, he said the pneumonia spread to the left lung. Without considering the red flags that clearly went up, he refilled my prescription, did the injection and hoped for an improvement. When I arrived at his office for my twelfth injection, my symptoms were severe! After questioning him intensely, he hesitated then consulted a pulmonary specialist.
The pulmonologist diagnosed my condition as a side effect and direct result of the injections. In addition, the prescription to treat the pneumonia fed the condition, limiting the expansion of my lungs to 30 percent. I was in critical condition for two months and spent two years recovering.
During this time, treatments for my RA were ceased due to drug toxicity levels, creating a new set of problems. In addition to the medical trauma, I was unable to care for or hold my infant son, adding to the emotional effects.
In 2006, a CAT scan revealed two nodules on my lungs that are not related to the condition mentioned above. I was told this is common in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis. My current medical team is aware of them and I undergo regular tests to watch for changes. As of yet, there are no complications, but I am aware of the possibilities and after the previous experience, will remain pro-active in my care.
In recent years, I’ve met a number of people who have experienced lung complications as a result of arthritis and/or treatments. And there have been numerous posts throughout my blog referencing lung issues. For example, in my blog, “Arthritis is a Villain” (2/10/10), Susan wrote a heartfelt comment about having rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma between her lungs and around her heart.
Have you had pulmonary issues or a lung disease in combinations with a chronic illness? If so, please share in the comment section below.
(It's never too late to respond!:o)
Are you taking anything for your RA lung? Do you have daily symptoms or do they come and go?
Hi! I know this response is late. I do wish to say I was diagnosed with an interstitial pneumonitis called BOOP (bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonitis) in April, 2009. My RA was diagnosed in August, 2010 and is now believed to have caused my lung inflammation. Both my rheumatologist and pulmanologist refer to this as " RA lung."
How long ago was your diagnosis? Are the docs treating your lungs or is this one of those 'watch and see' things?
Take care!
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