Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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not emphysema after all, biopsy needed

tinaunger50
tinaunger50
well seems like square 1 again..had more ct scans last week and the pneumonia wont go away. he sent me to a surgeon, same day. and she made an appoinment to put me in the hospital and do biopsy tests on my lungs. she says her biggest guess is interstictual lung disease from R.A. but I will let everybody know.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had this problem for years with the lung infections, before RA. Doxcycline is the only antibiotic that worked. I also started taking lots of supplements like vitamins and minerals, which seem to help reduce infections.

I often wonder about Rheumatoid Lung disease myself. I hope it is not for your sake. Have you been allergy tested? Mine came up minor, but I had periphery lung disease, not wide airway passage asthma and that is typical. If you live anywhere there is mold or fungus, you might want to try that route too, which would not show up on a biopsy.
deleted_user
deleted_user
So sorry you are battling this. I had pneumonia over and over until my RA was brought under better control. My GP would inject me with something that started with an R, was in a large amount, felt like being injected with something the thickness of maple syrup and put me on antibiotic pills. That would keep me out of the hospital and let me recover until the next cold or flu came by.

Hope the absolute best for you, good luck! Get better soon!
bcatz
bcatz
Wow, Tina!
I'm definitely impressed with the doctor's pace. I hope you get the biopsy quickly.

RAGuy - perhaps rocephin? Painful antibiotic but totally awesome in getting rid of infection.
deleted_user
deleted_user
bcatz: You nailed it, my butt and down the back of leg would hurt for at least 3 days. It was worth it though! He also perscribed another shot but I am not sure if it was a steriod or not, both dang checks would hurt like the dickins, maybe he did it so I would go to bed and rest cause there was no way to sit comfortably for a couple of days. I would also use a machine with albuteral (I believe was the medication) that was vaporized. I would be better in a couple to three days. Would take a couple of weeks for my lungs to clear completely. Knock on wood I have been pneumonia free for over a year, I was getting it at least twice a year before.
Lifeis2short
Lifeis2short
tina,
I am sending hugs your way! Feel better soon and I hope to hear how your doing soon!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I will pray your biopsy comes back best case scenario. Happy your physician is quick and aggressive! Feel better & good luck Tina!
ReeDee43
ReeDee43
Get well soon, Tina. Hang in there...