do sjongrens people get a lot of lung problems?

[skygirl]

Hi,
I was wondering if there are a lot of you with
bronchitis, asthma, chronic cough, lung inflammation, or what have you...?

[BonusMom]

I was diagnosed with SLE and SjS in December.  In March, I was diagnosed with asthma.  Prior to that time, I had NO history of wheezing SOB, etc.  I can't help but attribute it to autoimmune stuff.

[Katybarstool]

Me too!

I was diagnosed with asthma and bronchiectasis aged 47. I belieive I had SJS for many years before that, but was only diagnosed when I was 50 - 2 years ago.

Kathyx

[Scottietottie]

Hi  

I reckon some do and some don't. There was a bit in another post about people with autoimmune issues either seeming to catch everything - or catch nothing.

I'm in the catch nothing camp. My immune system is amazing. I haven't had a cold, stomach bug or 'flu of any kind for well over 10 years now. It's very effective and also immensely stupid. having nothing else to attack its turned on me!  Colleagues fall around me with colds and bugs and I sail through feeling horrible but with never a sniffle.

I had a fair amount of bother when I was younger - but not now.

Take care - Scottie  

[jonnell]

Hi my name is Jonnell and My little girl Jenna is 4 she has sjs,  one of her major problems is the lung involvement.   She is constantly getting coughs and she was just diagnosed with reactive airway disease and possible asthma she has been referred to a pulmonoligst.  The cold air and hard play like running and getting excited affect her the most.  We have a humidifier in her room that we put vicks vapo steam in.  It seems to be helping her sleep.    Hugs and kisses   Jonnell and Jenna

[skygirl]

Well, I guess some of us get the cough..
maybe the most common here is asthma and bronch

hugs

Monica

[irish]

Monica, The people who have autoimmune problems also are high risk for the asthma which is also an autoimmune issue. People with the sjogrens have the abnormal thick mucus that can plug up the bronchial tubes. This in turn can turn into infections periodically. Also, the abnormal mucus does not consist of the right type of "normal" material that helps fight off the infections. Also, the mucus that plugs us up makes us hack and cough all the time or at least enough to drive us crazy.

Most of us are on several inhalers. Generally, we are to use a steroid inhaler such as QVAR first to help decrease the inflammation in the airways. Then we can use the atrovent. Some people don't do well with atrovent because it tends to have a drying effect. I have found that when I get the hacking the atrovent really helps me. I also use the albuterol nebulizer several times a day and can use the albuterol inhaler inbetween when I need it. Summers are the worst for me with the high dew point and humidity plus the mold and pollens.

We need to take good care of our lungs because sjoggies are at high risk for pulmonary fibrosis which means that the bronchial tubes get stiff and can't expand and deflate like they should. The facial sauna is a good way to moisten the airways when one is really dry and hurting plus the humidifier is a necessity. Hope some of this info helps. Most of the people on this site are dealing with this one way or the other. Those who aren't are lucky but then they probably have some other ailment that we don't have. It just all evens out I guess. Irish

[Sparkle]

Hi Monica,

I had pneumonia last year and have had pulmonary issues since then. I had a bronchoscopy in August which ruled out infection and confirmed "chronic lung inflammation". I have been on Qvar since November which has helped tremendously.

Sparkle