hi y'all as we say in Texas... I was telling you the Prednisone was making my esophagus irritated, and my Thoracic spine hurts, I thought from leaning to pick up something in car...
Rheumy had me get chest X-ray and spine...
they just called...
said I show moderate COPD and some Osteoarthritis in spine.
I do NOT smoke, I hate cigarets , I avoid people who smoke like the plague!!!
Can the PMR be related? Did it show up because of my new issues?
Last year I did tell primary doc that my throat sometimes feels like feathers, she laughed at me. We assumed allergies.
oh, how I hope they are wrong. I have call in to primary now.
i just want to cry. I'm 54. Always been healthy. I don't caugh, I don't live in bad environment, in fact I live in the country, away from cities!
i did take up pastel painting for 4 years, but didn't do it much.
I could use some hugs. I'm scared.
Am sending a hug I have been suffering with my throat for weeks getting worse and having trouble swallowing never thought to connect it with my pmr
so sorry that you are suffering through this dilemma....Hope you will soon feel better.
HUGS TO YOU BOTH.....HANG IN THERE, AND HOPEFULLY A CURE WILL BE FOUND FOR YOU.....
Hello layne, of course at this moment in time you are feeling scared regarding this recent diagnosis.
along with the hugs I'm sending, I also want to say that this diagnosis is not all doom and gloom. I've looked up copd and sometimes this condition can be the result of genetics and not always smoking and environmental factors.
you have only had an x ray and there are many lung conditions that can cause shadows on the lung. They may want to perform a further test whereby you breathe into a tube, the result of this test may help with a more conclusive diagnosis.
copd cannot be cured but the condition can be helped with treatment and medication so please don't panic.
It's easy for me to tell you to calm down, have all the tests and then take it from there because I would be scared too. Please keep us in the loop regarding tests and results.
hugs and kisses, tina
Apparently corticoid steroids can increase yeast infections and the candida CAN affect or get in our liver and lungs!!!! My Rheumy also said my liver levels were elevated, and now I have Thrush in my mouth.
my sister said doctors don't know much about Candida/yeast.
I just hope its reversible.
wonder if there is a forum here for that? I'll look. Thanks for cyber hug!
Layne, both PMR and steriods can result in elevated liver results. In my case every single blood test taken pre and post diagnosis have resulted in elevated and odd results. My Dr is obviously concerned but until I'm on low levels of preds and this immune condition is in remission they are not panicking unless the results worsen and whilst I'm feeling ok I'm not overly worried.
i'm sure there are drugs for thrush and other yeast infections. Look up thrush online and speak with your Dr about possible medication.
regards, tina
Thanks Tina!
i even read if someone has a lot of mucus, it can get inhaled a lot and over time create damage in lungs... I do think I have a lot of that. I've often woke up choking when I first had PMR and it hurt to sleep on sides so I slept on back when I could sleep, ha!
My my mom was adopted so I don't know her genetics, bummer. But she has RA and genetic ear tumors.
Layne, I've just looked up oral thrush and there are plenty of medications used to clear up this condition that is common for those with a weaker / weakened immune system which we have due to the preds that lower our immune system.
get your Dr to prescribe some medication soon to help get it under control. Also use chlorhexidne mouth wash to help keep oral thrush at bay.
Yes thrush can spread to the lungs and liver but only in extremely ill patients, so don't worry. Just get your Dr to prescribe some medication and I'm sure that will relieve your anxiousness.
back to your lung query. Yes, even chronic bronchitis can result in copd as can bronchitasis, spelt wrong! My mother had that and actually lived with it for most of her life. She died aged 83 from peritonitis due to bowel cancer!!!
regards, tina
Layne Many ((((((((((((Gentle Hugs)))))))))))) Regards Pat
Sorry layne, I got that wrong. I don't think my mother died of peritonitis? Her bowel perforated which I think is different. Regards, tina
So sorry about your mom.
I've never even had bronchitis. I don't cough...
I'm taking anti fungal for Thrush...Nystatin.
I had chest tighness from beginning on Prednisone, 20 mg was highest.
Doctors weren't concerned. I was. Ugh. But thank you for your words and sharing.
Layne
I was diagnosed with COPD about l6 years ago and I did smoke
for years. So....no surprise there....however I just use two inhalers
and it hasn't gotten any worse so if they think that see moderate
COPD it isn't hard to live with. Hopefully they are wrong but you
can live with it for many years.
BIG HUGS Layne. Have a cry.... no point trying not to. Might even make you feel better afterwards :-)
Hi laynetTX I smoked for 40 years up till 2 years ago and have mild COPD I only have to take one Inhaler on a morning and hardly ever Cough.I have been having a spoon full of Manuka Honey and Bio Live Yeogurt on a morning as I was having a problems with Irritating Esophagus,This seems to be working up to now.Regards and don't worry stress is not good for us PMR people, Look after youself. Patricia
dont be scard, sending lots of hugs, you will get lots of them on this site, and lots of help.
People will be along soon
Dear Layne,
First receive my Cyber hug. you need every hug you can get.
Tell us about your doctor. Is this a doctor in private practice or does this doctor belong to a teaching/research hospital?
I'm asking because my experience is that even if you love your doctor, you might be better off seeing a doctor who is part of a bigger speciality practice because this might mean that he/she sees many more PMR patients. This is good because then the doctor will have a range of experience that a rheumatologist who sees people with all sorts of Rheumatological issues will not have.
Even if you have to travel further to see a rheumy in a teaching-research center, it will be worth for the confidence that such a doctor will give you. He/she doesn't have to guess so much about what to do.
You deserve better. You took care of yourself and you are younger than the average PMR patient.
You don't have to add fear to your discomfort. Keep us posted because we care.
Thanks Kareren! That is a very good point!! When my husband had prostate cancer he only wanted to go to MD Anderson, a very big medical center! And was well worth it.
i still haven't even heard back from my primary doctor for an appointment and I live in a small town. The Rheumy is from bigger city, but her own practice. There are larger groups, but no teaching facility near, nearest is 5-6 hour drive away.
But, you have me thinking!!!!
I found another group on this site with my same throat symptoms, and unfortunately they haven't found cures yet nor diagnosis, most assume acid reflux, but still have symptoms years later...
Thanks for hug!
Hi when my hubby had problems ;like yours he ate grapefruit(tinned in syrup) and he does not suffer now, but i dont know if you can have it with pred, it might be worth looking into, take care. Mags