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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results finally

tinaunger50
tinaunger50
okay the day Ive been waiting for(seemed like forever) it is interstitual lung disease....they call this type, active alveolitis.hopefully Ive caught it in time to prevent pulmonary fibrosis or or chronic pneumonitis. he put me on 40 mg of steriods for 6 months and maybe if its helping he can lower me to 30.and so on..the specialist from Baylor asked my Dr if I had an auto immune disorder or took any chemo drugs. it could have been from either of those things. and they also said I have farmers lung which is usually caused from bird dropping or molded hay. ironically I have not been in the country living for many years, so maybe allergys from dust? really dont know at this point. by the way, for anyone who dont know ..mtx is a chemo drug. hoping and praying steriods help, another ct scan in one month.Dr said steriods forever if they help, maybe lower doses. thank you all so much for the prayers and support !! you might be happy to know I made an appointment with another Rheuamy..shes in the same buiding as my pulmonology Dr. so they can work together on my issues. my pulmonologist could not believe that Ive never met the Dr that Ive been writting my checks to, instead of his pa, who is still in school. and they never did a exray or cared about my coughing while continueing the mtx. anyway Ill see new Rheaumy in 2 weeks. hope shes better !! can anybody tell what to expect taking 40 mgs of steriods for sideaffects? thanks all !!! Hugs Tina
GrammyKat
GrammyKat
Tina,
I am so happy that you finally have answers. The waiting game is never fun. Super happy to hear that you are changing Dr. too. The right Dr. makes so much different. Will continue to pray for you. Take care, and God Bless.
Kathy
aggie83
aggie83
Glad you have a dx!

If your PA is still in school, she is not a PA. You should report this to the Med board.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Glad they were able to decide something and come up with a plan...so much better then not knowing.
I think having the rheumy and Pulmonologist in the same building will be great!
Best of Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Triple hugs :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Tina so glad for an answer! Our drugs are so scary that we have to take for this terrible disease. I had to do 100 mgs of steroids for a month when I was in the hospital for pneumonia. I have been off mtx for a year and just went back on it 2 months ago as my RA is spiraling out of control. I am soooo glad u have an answer.
Xoxo MLC. Praying for u still!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Tina,
So glad you know what it is and can now treat it. Steroids should make you feel better soon. Lots of hugs and prayers out to you as you go to the new Doc.
Blessings,
Tracy
bcatz
bcatz
Good doctors! I'm sorry about the diagnosis, but glad you have it confirmed and can begin treatment. I hope you start feeling better in your lungs ASAP. I know a high dose of prednisone will help the ra too, but it will increase your appetite. One day of healing at a time. That's all you can do. I hope your family is on their learning curve and understand how serious all this is you have going on now.
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Tina, the steroids should help your illness and make you feel better. Beware, though, I have gained 20 pounds in the 5 months I have been on prednisone for my tnf allergic reaction. I'm so disgusted by the way I look, but as Bcatz says, one day of healing at a time. I know that once I am able to get off the pred, my weight will come back down some. My sister had COPD, had to take prednisone, gained weight and actually lost all the weight gain while still on prednisone. It appears that I am not going to be that lucky.

So happy you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Frances