Good Morning, I am not sure about the cellcept, but I know that last month I was diagnosed with severe asthma. Which came out of the blue. I had the SOB, especially going up the stairs and a dry cough. I would get it checked. Good Luck

thanks! That's the first thing I thought, but my dr. said my lungs were clear, but I am going to get a chest x-ray just to be sure.

Just as an FYI--I had a clear chest and a fairly clear chest exray. So maybe just mention it to the doctor anyway. That is when y primar sent me to the pulmonar doc.

Last week I checked myself into the hospital because I couldn't breath. I was so scared. The gave me 40mg shot of prednisone and I was fine. Chest x-rays and CT scan was clear. I felt better in almost hours then they wanted to keep me. I stayed one more day. I was fine. The Dr wanted to keep me another day. FOR WHAT? I checked myself out. I went to the Dr and he mentioned Lupus pularsy(sp)( ask the dr. I'm saying it wrong I think) and that the Lupus attacked the lining of the lungs. The extra prednisone helped. Did you Dr. prescribe an antibiotic along with the cellcept?

I started having this problem about 6 months ago. Going up stairs would make me feel like I sprinted up them.. Turns out I have Interstitial Lung disease which isn't uncommon with lupus patients. Guess what the treatment is... PREDNISONE.. ughh So they upped my dose to 120mg per day and I could breath fine but I felt like I was going crazy cause of the high dose. Don't know which is better not being able to breath easily or the side effect of the prednisone..

It's not uncommon for lung problems to arise from SLE. Pleuritis and pericarditis are often overlooked by main stream physicians, which is why it's important to always check with your rheumatologist or other specialist treating you for your lupus.
If you are having difficulty breathing, this may be a symptom of an allergic reaction to your meds or maybe something else. Cellcept contains phenylalanine, which is the main ingredient in aspartame. I had no idea that aspartame was in any medications, but found out the hard way when I started taking a certain meds for migraines!
It's an unfortunate side effect of having lupus, but one of the best ways to help control your symptoms is to be aware of everything you consume, even vitamins and other supplements. It's one of the prices we have to pay. Why we are chosen for this ordeal, who knows.
Anyway, I really didn't intend to preach, but rather to commiserate with you...I've been dealing with the pleurisy issue for a while; being out of breath from just walking to and from my car is not fun.
All you can do, and should do, is take care of yourself first. I hope you feel better, and know you are not alone! :)

Allyourcomments arevery helpful. I recently started getting chestpain and my heart races when I climb stairs. I am so out of breath. Does cortisone help with that symptom. My docs are still not conmvinced I have SLE even though I have a highly positive dsDNA.