Marg, I'm wondering if you could share a bit more about your situation. Have you been living with RA for a while and recently discovered that it is now also affecting your lungs? What medication are you on? What type of diet or food plan do you follow now?
Marg, I'm wondering if you could share a bit more about your situation. Have you been living with RA for a while and recently discovered that it is now also affecting your lungs? What medication are you on? What type of diet or food plan do you follow now?
I was diagnosed about seven years ago with having a ILD.
After my lung biopsy was sent to Mayo clinic for definitive diagnosis. After blood testing it was discovered that I also have rheumatology arthritis and that it was the primary cause of my ILD. It’s not uncommon apparently to have the RA affect other organs of the body.
My recent visit and testing revealed that there is some progression of the ILD but at this time I’m not limited with the exception of using stairs which causes some SOB.
I do cough off and on, taking allergy meds seem to stop the cough, not sure the ILD is also a factor.
I hope this information was helpful, please feel free to ask other questions.
Jilly
I was diagnosed about seven years ago with having a ILD.
After my lung biopsy was sent to Mayo clinic for definitive diagnosis. After blood testing it was discovered that I also have rheumatology arthritis and that it was the primary cause of my ILD. It’s not uncommon apparently to have the RA affect other organs of the body.
My recent visit and testing revealed that there is some progression of the ILD but at this time I’m not limited with the exception of using stairs which causes some SOB.
I do cough off and on, taking allergy meds seem to stop the cough, not sure the ILD is also a factor.
I hope this information was helpful, please feel free to ask other questions.
Jilly
Marg, I'm wondering if you could share a bit more about your situation. Have you been living with RA for a while and recently discovered that it is now also affecting your lungs? What medication are you on? What type of diet or food plan do you follow now?
Marg, I went vegetarian around 1977 and it seemed to help for many years. Then remission ceased and I have IBS-C which is my main battle now. I take methylprednisolone and have done so since 2012 and before that for a number of years I was on plaquenil which didn't seem to do anything but cause the issue with the retinal exams so I stopped that. Back in the 1980s I was on gold which is a therapy no one seems to remember and I can't think it really helped. I was also on massive doses of aspirin then. I have resisted infusion therapy and just try to manage my symptoms with rest and exercise. I don't know that diet made any difference in how I felt joint wise but I did manage to keep my weight at bay and all my metabolic blood work is always normal. Yoga for many years was wonderful therapy as well as swimming laps. I had to give up active class yoga once the second hip was replaced as I could not get comfortable and the damage in my wrists made doing the asanas painful.
Your case is complicated with the lung component so I hope someone with your unique experience will chime in here and give some well reasoned advice. Wishing you well. As always, M.E.
As an aside just FYI: Is gold still used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?
Due to the number and severity of side effects that they cause, doctors no longer use gold treatments to treat RA or other inflammatory conditions in the U.S. Side effects such as skin rashes and mouth ulcers can occur in up to 17% of patients and may settle with a dose reduction but if severe usually settles if the drug is stopped. Gold can cause protein to leak from the kidneys in less than 10% of patients. This can be detected with a urine test.
Doctors are prescribing other DMARDs instead, including methotrexate, which is considered safer.
Marg, I'm wondering if you could share a bit more about your situation. Have you been living with RA for a while and recently discovered that it is now also affecting your lungs? What medication are you on? What type of diet or food plan do you follow now?
I am striving for a Mediterranean type diet although I am not quite there yet. No red meat, lots if vegetables and fruits, gluten-free bread if I have bread at all. Chicken and some fish for protein, and have started organic protein shakes which I strive for daily. Nuts and seeds for snacks. I have rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögrens and stage 3 CKD. I do not have any lung involvement that I am aware of at this time. I take methotrexate and O6rencia for the RA. I am on Losartan and Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) for controlling my blood pressure. I have recently had a course of prednisone for increased RA symptoms which helped briefly. My RA is not yet responding well, the Orencia is my third biologic drug (previous drugs were Humira and Enbrel) at an attempt to bring the RA under control, which has not yet happened after almost a year and a half of treatment. I'm not sure if I am responding with the information that was requested. If I can be of further help please let me know.
I am striving for a Mediterranean type diet although I am not quite there yet. No red meat, lots if vegetables and fruits, gluten-free bread if I have bread at all. Chicken and some fish for protein, and have started organic protein shakes which I strive for daily. Nuts and seeds for snacks. I have rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögrens and stage 3 CKD. I do not have any lung involvement that I am aware of at this time. I take methotrexate and O6rencia for the RA. I am on Losartan and Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) for controlling my blood pressure. I have recently had a course of prednisone for increased RA symptoms which helped briefly. My RA is not yet responding well, the Orencia is my third biologic drug (previous drugs were Humira and Enbrel) at an attempt to bring the RA under control, which has not yet happened after almost a year and a half of treatment. I'm not sure if I am responding with the information that was requested. If I can be of further help please let me know.
I am striving for a Mediterranean type diet although I am not quite there yet. No red meat, lots if vegetables and fruits, gluten-free bread if I have bread at all. Chicken and some fish for protein, and have started organic protein shakes which I strive for daily. Nuts and seeds for snacks. I have rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögrens and stage 3 CKD. I do not have any lung involvement that I am aware of at this time. I take methotrexate and O6rencia for the RA. I am on Losartan and Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) for controlling my blood pressure. I have recently had a course of prednisone for increased RA symptoms which helped briefly. My RA is not yet responding well, the Orencia is my third biologic drug (previous drugs were Humira and Enbrel) at an attempt to bring the RA under control, which has not yet happened after almost a year and a half of treatment. I'm not sure if I am responding with the information that was requested. If I can be of further help please let me know.
Hi there I also have Sjogrens and RA. Just wanted to say that I have been on a long list of drugs for RA including Orencia and Embrel. Now and for a couple of years I have been on Xeljanz. It has worked so well for me and without side effects and Pfizer is helping me because it’s prohibitive finically. Just thought I would mention that.
Hi there I also have Sjogrens and RA. Just wanted to say that I have been on a long list of drugs for RA including Orencia and Embrel. Now and for a couple of years I have been on Xeljanz. It has worked so well for me and without side effects and Pfizer is helping me because it’s prohibitive finically. Just thought I would mention that.
Thank you for connecting. I haven't talked to anyone who also has RA and Sjögrens. I haven't heard of Xeljanz. I think I mentioned I have been on Humira, Enbrel and now Orencia (along with methotrexate since beginning treatment. Humira didn't do anything, with Enbrel I had bad skin reactions, so now on Orencia. I was told it needed 12 weeks to "kick in" but I'm at 10 and 1/2 weeks and MAYBE minimal improvement. That may be because I had 5 days of prednisone my dr prescribed due to severe pain.
Is the Xeljanz a biologic or something different?
Thanks!
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Welcome, @marg1259. I'm inviting fellow RA members like @ellens @boomerexpert @jba @jilliemo12345 @susanb0406 @apacemn1 @tarmansbks to join this discussion.
Marg, I'm wondering if you could share a bit more about your situation. Have you been living with RA for a while and recently discovered that it is now also affecting your lungs? What medication are you on? What type of diet or food plan do you follow now?
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI was diagnosed about seven years ago with having a ILD.
After my lung biopsy was sent to Mayo clinic for definitive diagnosis. After blood testing it was discovered that I also have rheumatology arthritis and that it was the primary cause of my ILD. It’s not uncommon apparently to have the RA affect other organs of the body.
My recent visit and testing revealed that there is some progression of the ILD but at this time I’m not limited with the exception of using stairs which causes some SOB.
I do cough off and on, taking allergy meds seem to stop the cough, not sure the ILD is also a factor.
I hope this information was helpful, please feel free to ask other questions.
Jilly
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1 ReactionI forgot to mention the drugs I take for the ILD/ RA.
I take Cellcept, Plaquinil.
Jilly
Recommend dairy free to lower inflammation, small amounts of (humanely raised) animal protein, and immune system regulator supplements.
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1 ReactionMarg, I went vegetarian around 1977 and it seemed to help for many years. Then remission ceased and I have IBS-C which is my main battle now. I take methylprednisolone and have done so since 2012 and before that for a number of years I was on plaquenil which didn't seem to do anything but cause the issue with the retinal exams so I stopped that. Back in the 1980s I was on gold which is a therapy no one seems to remember and I can't think it really helped. I was also on massive doses of aspirin then. I have resisted infusion therapy and just try to manage my symptoms with rest and exercise. I don't know that diet made any difference in how I felt joint wise but I did manage to keep my weight at bay and all my metabolic blood work is always normal. Yoga for many years was wonderful therapy as well as swimming laps. I had to give up active class yoga once the second hip was replaced as I could not get comfortable and the damage in my wrists made doing the asanas painful.
Your case is complicated with the lung component so I hope someone with your unique experience will chime in here and give some well reasoned advice. Wishing you well. As always, M.E.
As an aside just FYI: Is gold still used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?
Due to the number and severity of side effects that they cause, doctors no longer use gold treatments to treat RA or other inflammatory conditions in the U.S. Side effects such as skin rashes and mouth ulcers can occur in up to 17% of patients and may settle with a dose reduction but if severe usually settles if the drug is stopped. Gold can cause protein to leak from the kidneys in less than 10% of patients. This can be detected with a urine test.
Doctors are prescribing other DMARDs instead, including methotrexate, which is considered safer.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am striving for a Mediterranean type diet although I am not quite there yet. No red meat, lots if vegetables and fruits, gluten-free bread if I have bread at all. Chicken and some fish for protein, and have started organic protein shakes which I strive for daily. Nuts and seeds for snacks. I have rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögrens and stage 3 CKD. I do not have any lung involvement that I am aware of at this time. I take methotrexate and O6rencia for the RA. I am on Losartan and Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) for controlling my blood pressure. I have recently had a course of prednisone for increased RA symptoms which helped briefly. My RA is not yet responding well, the Orencia is my third biologic drug (previous drugs were Humira and Enbrel) at an attempt to bring the RA under control, which has not yet happened after almost a year and a half of treatment. I'm not sure if I am responding with the information that was requested. If I can be of further help please let me know.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionJBA, I think you might enjoy taking part in this discussion with fellow CKD members:
- Confused About Diet for Stage 3 or 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/confused-about-stage-3-ckd-diet/
Thank you Colleen! I appreciate the link about diet! As part of that, I'm interested in how much protein is too little or too much. Thanks again!
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1 ReactionHi there I also have Sjogrens and RA. Just wanted to say that I have been on a long list of drugs for RA including Orencia and Embrel. Now and for a couple of years I have been on Xeljanz. It has worked so well for me and without side effects and Pfizer is helping me because it’s prohibitive finically. Just thought I would mention that.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThank you for connecting. I haven't talked to anyone who also has RA and Sjögrens. I haven't heard of Xeljanz. I think I mentioned I have been on Humira, Enbrel and now Orencia (along with methotrexate since beginning treatment. Humira didn't do anything, with Enbrel I had bad skin reactions, so now on Orencia. I was told it needed 12 weeks to "kick in" but I'm at 10 and 1/2 weeks and MAYBE minimal improvement. That may be because I had 5 days of prednisone my dr prescribed due to severe pain.
Is the Xeljanz a biologic or something different?
Thanks!