Lunge Issues....help !

[Northernelf]

Looking for some input on lung issues - I have had pneumonia and several pneumonia like episodes (no xrays to confirm, except the first time) and have been treated with antibiotics to get rid of it each time. I always felt ill. Now I don't feel ill exactly...just tired and the usual achiness...but I have been having difficulty breathing. It seems to come & go but now seems to stay...esp today. This morning I did some cardio (ran) and had to ease up & eventually walk as it got hard to take in breath. Well, for the rest of the day my chest really hurts and breathing sucks...focusing on deep breaths once in awhile because it seems easier to just breath shallowly...chest is very tight. I took advil midway through the day (rarely do because my stomach doesn't like it)....still very sore.

This is new for me.

Sitting here on the couch is fine but getting up & moving about (breathing faster) - ouch...coming upstairs...ouch. Drinking lots of water and resting but what the heck ??!!? My lungs feel burnt !

FWIW, started Plaquenil 3 weeks ago...I know, too early to work yet. Using an inhaler I had from pneumonia to help but it's not doing much.

[SjoDry]

Hi Northernelf,

I am experiencing the same type of chest issues. I have not been to a pulmonologist yet, but suspect
that it is inflammation from Sjogren's. I am currently on a steroid pack. I am being forced to limit my exercise.
I wouldn't panick, but I encourage you to get it checked out..perhaps a high resolution CT Scan.

SjoDry

[mshistory]

I have chronic inflammation in my lungs from lupus/SjS - Medrol Packs or steroid shots help the most for acute attacks but if you are experiencing this long term, it may mean you need to be on a stronger medication like Imuran for the long term to prevent any damage. Whatever the cause, I would definitely see a pulmonologist.

[LadyDi]

 I also have shortness of breath as well as tightness in my neck and chest. I just saw a new endocrinologist last Friday, who told me that my thyroid nodules wouldn't be causing these symptoms.

Being from a teaching hospital, she was familiar with Sjogren's and agreed that it could be either dryness, nodules and inflammation in my trachea and lungs causing the SOB symptoms.

When I explained how debilitating Sjogren's has been for me, she totally agreed and understood. Now its back to my primary care in the suburbs, who thinks that this disease is simply dry mouth and dry eyes.

I am asking to be referred to a pulmonologist in the city, so that I can get to the bottom of my lung issues.
Thanks everybody for their imput, I really appreciate learning so much on this forum!

[finallyadx]

Hi, so sorry to hear you are experiencing this issue.  I, too, suffer from lung issues - heaviness of breath/breathing/chest pain/rib pain.  I am going to a pulmonologist at the end of the month to have my issues looked into.  I have had a ct scan of my lungs and there are some abnormalities but nothing that a PCP could really understand or dared to"guess" about.

Sjogrens can affect the lungs so it is not far fetched to think this, however, I would agree with northernelf that you need to see a dr - have a ct scan or be referred to a pulmonologist just to be certain it is not something much more serious. 

Take care and good luck.

[Northernelf]

Saw my GP today and lungs sound clear but still painful and sore. He says bronchitis and use Symbicort inhaler. Rest...vitamin C, Zinc....huh.

It only hurts when I move...ha ha. Seriously, if I move too much or do too much - hard to get a deep breath in at times. Waiting for my specialist appointment...in August...

I have low IgG - doc says compromised immune system, just catching every virus around. He did give me an antibiotic prescription to get if needed (get fever, chills) - likely just viral.

The glands under my chin and throat hurt as well. Ugh.

[IllnDontWantAPill]

I have breathing issues as well. I've been told Costochondritis, and a bunch of other stuff. It's probably inflammation in my chest wall/chest muscles but scary nonetheless. Talking really aggravates my breathing to where it's like I just ran a marathon, just from talking. A few sentences does me in! It also kills my sinus and I feel like I have 6 bricks sitting on the bridge of my nose. The chest, feels like someone took a hammer and crushed in my chest wall bone. Not fun!!

[Joe S.]

Water - Sip, Swish, Swallow
Wear you polar fleece scarf to bed each night. Vitamins and supplements could help; www.chakraforce.com

There are also tones that  could help you that you will find at the website.

This is the season of allergies as everything is in bloom.

[irish]

I am wondering if people are using humidifiers in their homes. A few years ago we always talked about the importance of humidifiers all year round for a sjogrens patient.We get so dry that our sinuses, lungs, etc can feel like an elephant is sitting on them. I always said I felt like my chest was bruised. WE need the humidifier in the winter and summer cause the air conditioning and the furnace can dry out the air.

Also, I have been through the pain in the nose, face, neck, chest, etc. Sort of like hit by a truck. Heat was my treatment of choice plus rest and drinking hot tea, etc.  Yes many people have the low IgG levels with autoimmune disease and I am of the opinion that all people with autoimmune disease should have their immune system checked out.

We are seeing more and more people on this site who are being diagnosed with the low immune systems. I have severely low t-cells and my hubby(celiac anad microscopic colitis) also just diagnosed with low IgG levels. The low immune system sort of comes with the territory and causes us to have trouble with frequent infections. Good luck. irish

[Dee]

A good reminder Irish for humidifier use.  I put my humidifier away because it was a pain to clean; sometimes I see it at the top of my closet, get all nostalgic and think about breaking it out again.  I should (I will!), especially as we are so much more susceptible to infection when we are dried out and I did feel much better with it running and in use.  If anyone knows of a humidifier that isn't a pain to maintain please enlighten me.