Obliterative Bronchiolitis (OB) vs. ILD or CLD?

Posted by jamiet @jamiet, Jul 4, 2018

I have been diagnosed with Obliterative Bronchiolitis (aka Bronchiolitis Obliterans) along with a long list of other diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure, Collagen Vascular Disease, Fibromyalgia, Gastroparesis, Sjogren’s Syndrome and more). I lived and worked with the RA, Fibro for 16 years before I started have lung problems and was ultimately diagnosed with OB after going through many tests and months on HUUUUUUGE doses of steroids.

I never smoked a day in my life, so getting a lung issues was a huge surprise. I later found out this incurable, irreversible, rare lung disease can be triggered by RA, gastrointestinal issues, Sjogren’s Syndrome OR possibly even the medicine used to treat RA. Basically, my body is not processing oxygen (pulling O2 out of what I inhale) and getting that oxygen into the blood and to my organs/brain. This disease is on the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowance List of conditions considered serious enough that disability claims are expedited and decided in three weeks.

The thing is I can’t find other people diagnosed with this disease. I did a key word search on this forum. I’ve searched other forums. I’ve searched websites listing clinical trials and research being done by hospitals, etc. The very few clinical trials I’ve found have all been for someone who gets the disease because of complications after a lung transplant. I haven’t found any non-transplant adults diagnosed with the disease.

I thought I’d throw it out to see if there is anyone else with the same diagnosis or anyone even familiar with the disease so we could share info, history, tips, etc.

Thanks ......

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.

@jmunderhi

Anyone start out with normal lung function and have bad symptoms and then not find out for years what was wrong?

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starting to think I have BO and have mostly normal spirometry with decreased FEF 25-75 levels that seem to continue to drop. Any update on how you are doing?

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It seems like the main symptom is SOB. I have SOB as of the past 2 months and wheezing on forced exhalation sounding like a 'deflating balloon.' Cough really only comes after eating food. SOB comes on exertion, like walking up a flight of stairs, and random&rapid involuntary inhalations through nose while at rest as well. Doctor says spirometry is 'mostly normal,' but I have seen a consistent decline in FEF 25-75 values over the past couple months. Any chance this could be something other than BO - I vaped thc/nicotine heavily for 4 years.

Also do those with BO get relief from taking inhaler/steroids, or is it mainly to just prevent further damage as best you can?

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@alex00

starting to think I have BO and have mostly normal spirometry with decreased FEF 25-75 levels that seem to continue to drop. Any update on how you are doing?

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I get HRCT next Tuesday, actually. Have you had HRCT? What makes you suspect BO? Any underlying issues? You should join the bronchiolitis Facebook group. My Facebook name is "Mike Hill". We could connect more on there.

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