UCTD and lung nodules

Yes, they can be...did they describe the nodes as anything other than non-cancerous? Opaque, calcified, glass like, etc?
I was originally diagnosed with UCTD/MCTD. My early symptoms was crazy fatigue, joint/bone/muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and two calcified nodules on my lungs. My pulmonologist said Connective tissue disease. The Surgeon who did my lymph node biopsy said definitely autoimmune/connective tissue. Rheumatologist decided UCTD because I had too many symptoms but not enough to pin down any one disease. 10 years later, I have definitive diagnosis of sero-negative RA, Sjogren's and Fibro. They believe my lung nodules are rheumatoid nodules.

@trishrip
Thank you so much for your reply. The respiratory doctor yesterday just said they were non cancerous but didn’t know if they were autoimmune connected.
I find it very hard to get information around my symptoms and rheumatologist I feel doesn’t support with clarification on things, very hard to get email response. I am very new to diagnosis and bit overwhelmed with the amount of information out there and sure what information to trust.
My symptoms are chronic chest pain, muscle and joint pain, Raynauds and fingers that swell and reduce throughout the day. Fatigue daily but then sleep disturbances at night. Bloods showed high ANA and elevated RNP. I’m not sure if I should change rheumatologist to get more support or should I stick with the one I have but be more pushy.

@mg01 Your last comment sounds familiar! I've gotten to a point with a doctor before where I just decided a direct approach might be best- I asked him what was the best way to ask my questions and communicate with him, that I wanted to get a better understanding of what everything meant and what to do. If there's not a helpful response, then I would consider moving on.

I also have UCTD but with positive Tif-gamma antibodies for dermatomyositis and early on I was diagnosed with AxSpa and PsA. I have too many symptoms now and don’t nearly fit into any one box so I’m now UCTD.

I had multiple bouts of Covid back to back that led to a DVT in my right leg. My rheumatologist ordered a lung scan to make sure there wasn’t a PE. That’s when the nodules were found. They’re now calcified so my pulmonologist and rheumatologist believe they were an inflammatory response to Covid. If you’ve had any kind of respiratory infection the nodules can be an inflammatory response.

My pulmonologist also believed them to be benign, so we just kept repeating the scans on a regular basis to keep an eye on them and now I just do the CT scan annually.

My husband has multiple nodules including nodules in his lymph glands which was alarming at first - turns out he has autoimmune sarcoidosis and is now on one of my meds … methotrexate. Hoping that some of those nodules will have shrunk or disappeared by the next scan.

How elevated is the RNP? Any rash?

@pm56 Hi and thanks for replying! I had a very bad respiratory infection in Nov which took a few weeks to recover from. Two courses of steroids and antibiotics.
I then went on a sun holiday and everything flared up, muscle pain and chest pain and so tired. I believe this was a uctd flare up but doc kept saying it’s just stress!
In the sun my cheeks go red quickly and feel like they are burning even when I go in shade. My face flushes at night especially across cheeks and nose
My RNP was 3.8 compared to <1.0 for everything else so doc said it was elevated. ANA was high I think 2.7 high but I’m in Ireland so not sure if reading is different over here!

After going through 4 rheumatologists, I’m now diagnosed with RA, lupus, and Sjogren’s Disease. I’ve had most of the same symptoms as you describe. But much improved now.
Keep searching for a rheumatologist who understands Sjogren’s disease. Everything changed when I found my current doctor.
I know it isn’t easy but definitely worth it. Good luck

@mg01 with an underlying autoimmune disease, a bad respiratory infection certainly could be the culprit. They should watch them regularly if they believe they are benign to ensure there aren’t any changes.

Alternately there are other conditions like RA that cause nodules too,.

Yes I think the results are read differently here, so I’m not familiar with your format. Keep pushing and advocating for yourself 🙂