Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

I had asthma previous to the RA. What I found is that I just went on Sulfasalazine to replace the mthx which was destroying my liver. It treats underlying ulcerative colitis. After the first pill, my asthma improved about 100%. Then the brain fog lifted. i have come to the conclusion that I must have large intestine issues, because my ALT dropped to normal for the first time in years, it is controlling the RA and the asthma has almost disappeared. So they are connected for me, although this is not true for everyone. What meds are you on? You should try Sulfasalazine and see if it helps your asthma and your RA. I had so many autoimmune diseases it was great to find out they were all be caused by an underlying issue. It has something to do with the intestines leaking large food molecules which migrate to various organs and interfere with their functioning.

Hi, I have had asthma for the past three years and have had RA for 7 and 1/2 years. I did live with a smoker so that also could have contributed to it. I am on several inhalers and had to go to the ER and to my primaries office twice and use the nebulizer at work on a few occassions. I had PFT's done and have 70% of my lung capcity.

Sarah Keturah had a post in her blog that the latest studies show that RA is triggered by cigarette smoke, even 2nd hand. I played in bars for 7 years, in the days before they stopped allowing people to smoke indoors. I think that is why the asthma started first. I must have had the RA gene, too, because my cousin has been badly disabled since she was 1 1/2 years old (56 years!) Apparently, RA is decreasing, because smoking is! Too late for us, I guess.