I've never been told that I have ILD, but did find this article that speaks of the MDA5 antibody. Hope it gives you needed info.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3167687/

Hi there. I too carry the auto antibody for ILD. It's called Anti Jo -1. My lung function was down 30% at diagnosis. My Rheumatologist sent me to the lung Specialist on his team as soon as he found the auto antibody. I have since recovered most of my lung function and no longer need to see the Lung Dpecialist but I still have yearly Lung Function Tests to keep a check on me. They are discovering more and more of these auto antibodies. This is a good thing as your a Rheumatologist will know how to manage your disease and what Meds are best for you. For instance, my Rheumatologist told me that he does not use MTX to treat his patients with Anti Jo. He used Imuran and prednisone. I finished the prednisone without flaring in December 2013, I remain on the Imuran as Anti Jo requires long term suppression but I am well and stable with no lung issues. I do everything now I did before diagnosis. The most important thing about knowing your auto antibodies is your disease management and treatment, it does help to know and I think removes some of the guesswork. Your doctors will be watching out for anything which may come with this auto antibody and will be treating you accordingly. I had a CT scan with contrast of my lungs before diagnosis as my Rheumatologist believes that lung issues like ILD cannot be seen on a straight chest x-Ray. I hope you have started treatment and are doing well. Interestingly, the treatment for my Anti Jo is exactly the same as the treatment for PM. Best wishes to you. Autumm

Hi im45notcrazy, I think Autumn mentioned it well that your doctor will watch out and treat you accordingly. I have learned it is really pointless to worry or get excited with DM/PM. I had an enlarged heart at the beginning of my DM. The enlarged heart has returned to normal size! I have watched blood test scores go from wacko to normal with this disease. (Thank you Lord!) It is important to be on appropriate medication(s) with the correct dosages. It is important to have an excellent diet (mine is anti-inflammatory & low salt with lots of fluids). It is important to have a good, regular exercise program. I try to not get discouraged. I just work hard to stay as health as possible.

It is true that ALL of us with DM/PM should watch our lungs, liver and kidneys very carefully. Ask the doctor about the meanings of your blood work scores too. Ask how to improve your scores.

Best Wishes. Keep us posted.

I've only heard about the Jo1 antibody for an indicator of ILD. I've not heard of an MDA antibody. Methotrexate can sometimes have impact on your lungs so they often don't give it to you unless absolutely necessary. I've been on Methotrexate for years and years and never have had problems with my lungs.

There are many auto antibodies which attack the lungs. Everyone knows about Anti Jo because it was the first one to be found but there are others which come with DM/PM and attack lung tissue. We have mentioned only two here, good doctors are now aware of them nd testing for them. It's very important to realise that Anti Jo is not the only one which can attack lung tissue and cause ILD. Fast diagnosis and treatment is the best answer. Autumm

Hello!
I have dermatomyositis with MDA-5 antibody and ILD. It all started in August 2014. I am today on predisolone 10 and cellcept 2500. I exercise a lot (10000 steps, 30 minutes bicycle, and 1h30 of spirometer every day) and am doing fine considering the disease and how I was 18 months ago (in a hospital bed, legs and arms paralyzed). I am 50 years old, have a 2 daughters (22 and 17), a wonderful husband (highschool sweetheart). I would be delighted to exchange information on flare symptoms and what I do to try and get better.
Hope to hear from you, and hope you are doing well

Hi Thinkpositive. You are doing everything I am doing. I have Ben very fortunate not to have had a flare since diagnosis 4 years ago. I too try to do 10.000 steps very day. My Rheumatologist suggested I buy a pedometer to help with the walking, it's very motivating as I kept checking it to make sure I am doing enough steps. Best wishes. Autumm

Hello autumn,
Thank you for your reply. My last CT scan (early june) is stable. My FVC is around 95% (up from 76%) thanks to the incentive spirometer I do everyday. My lung specialist told me I was lucky to find the disease early as it is vital to start medication as early as possible for my lung disease ( fibrotic NSIP). I bought a podometer too but later found an app that does the same thing and so everything is registeed directly on my phone. I am decreasing my prednisone every two weeks (I've been up and down twice already since 2014). I am seeing my doctor at the hospital wednesday and hopefully he won't increase my medication. Do you protect yourself from the sun?
Best wishes. Thinkpositive

Hi Thinkpositive. I take Imuran so really bed to stay out of the sun. I finished the steriods in December 2013. I have PM not DM. I now have a lung function test every year and last one was stable. I had a CT chest scan at diagnosis and a lung function test. Like you I was lucky to have good doctors who understood the disease and the need to hit it hard and fast. I believe my Rheumatologist will request another CT can next year which five years from diagnosis. I live in London and that's the protocol here. He also told me not to read the Internet as its full of worse case stops and we are all different. Finding auto antibodies has been a huge step forward with the treatment of PM/DM. Doctors can now look for lung disease and treat it before it's a problem and they can also look for cancer and find it early. I am so pleased you are doing well, it does the time, I found it was about eight months for my Meds to work and about three years before I felt I was returning to normal. Eating properly, losing weight and keeping fit is a huge part of the process, doctors can only do so much then we all have to help ourselves. Best wishes. Autumm

Yes I have DM and ILD from exactly what you posted on I am at the end of life Stade my ILD has left me with 20% lung left plus I have a lot of other diseases but I am now a motivational speaker that tryst to help others as much as I can

Hi, Lyle.Romans23, and welcome to this group. This forum used to be very active, but since Daily Strength transitioned over to this new site, we lost most of the people who used to participate. I'm sorry to read of your ILD, but am glad to hear that you are a motivation speaker. I'm sure that many people have been encouraged by your words to them. Keep up the good work, and best wishes to you.

Hi Lyle. I am sorry to read your post. This can be a difficult disease. It is amazing that you are giving your time to help others. I am sorry there is not much going on with this site but it changed and most of us did not like it so we are now over on the TMA Myositis site. I wish you well. Best wishes. Autumm

Please read my comments under Serrapatese and Autoimmune. I know this can help you.
Rhonda