Yes, I can see you! :)
Thank you!

By the way, I think my aunt is about to get the same diagnosis as you for her lungs. The doctors aren't in a hurry on her though, which I thought weird. She has had RA 25yrs with very little damage.
A couple months ago, she had a CT scan of her lungs (she has horrid allergies and asthma). They found a couple nodules. She was rechecked after 3 months and now was referred to a lung specialist. That doctor has narrowed it down to either RA Lung, pre-cancerous growth, or a bacterial infection from chickens/birds. She's on an antibiotic like you took and will get retested in late July. If it's mending, then it's the bacterial infection. (she raised chickens and owned a bird which is known to cause an infection in the lung). If no improvement, she'll get a biopsy.
She's not coughing, just incidental finding from when she was coughing. She's never smoked, but grew up with a father that smoked a couple packs a day.
Thought I'd mention it all to you - and when I find out more, I'll post about it.
NCGranny listed a post just so folks could search for her skin reaction to TNF inhibitors - I think that's a great idea and will do the same from my aunt's result if it's RA related.

Im sorry to hear about your aunt...I was reading an article recently that says Ra lung hits 1 in 5 people with Ra .why arent we warned more? more and more Im seeing others having these same problems. after consult with a Rheumy thats a friend of my cousin in Michigan. he says he keeps a close eye on his patients upon starting mtx, because it causes Ra lung in alot of people. I really still dont know what caused mine...I guess it doesnt matter now, but your right about passing on posts and info as we get it for others. they tell me I have bad scar tissue on both lungs,,that was from having pneumonia for so long. If I would have been treated sooner, it would have made a world of difference. I hope they find your aunts culprit and attack it right away. please keep me informed on how shes doing.. Ill be praying for her.

Thank you so much for the reply. I had no idea lung issues with RA were so prevalent either!

One thing I definitely committed to memory about biologics is that they can cause allow a fungal infection in the lungs (especially ohio valley, which we aren't in). Doctors think "bacterial infection" and treat with antbiotics - have patient come back a week later or patient ends up in ER so bad that their life can be in the balance...all because the treating doctor wasn't aware of the possibility of fungal infection. Had treatment started for fungal infection, they'd be getting better.

It sounds weird, but I know when I end up with a bad chest issue, I'm going to be sure to tell the doctor about the possibility so it's considered too.

Hopefully including infomation here will help someone else. :)

bcatz,
I had a classmate that had adopted a bird that ended up testing positive for Psittacosis. She had adopted him from a shelter that she volunteered at.

She did end up developing it. She had had him for 18 months before he was diagnosed. He had been pulling his feathers out, etc

Her doctor said she had probably contracted it well before he was even diagnosed.

I hope that it is an easy diagnosis and treatment plan for your aunt

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/psittacosis_t.htm

I am concerned about Rheumatoid Lung Disease. My lungs have really been bothering me since last fall. I didn't think much of it, since I have asthma, but this is very different. In fact, my asthma is more stable than in years. But every time I try to walk up stairs, or even down, I am gasping for breathe. That is not allergic asthma.

I might ask my rheumy for an xray, I didn't know you could find out that way. But no biopsy, since I have heard the treatment is the same as for asthma. All that bike riding, and I am out of breath walking up stairs. Not fair! And 1 in 5? I wish they would tell us these things!