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Can anyone through any light on this...

Posted , 4 users are following.

sharonamy1965
sharonamy1965

Hello everyone, I am a 50 year old female. I have had psoriasis for forty years. For the last few years I have had a constant runny nose and blockage all year round. Each year every Summer I get a chronic cough with yellow and green phlegm and lose my voice every July/August time. I have been told by allergy clinic I have "non allergic rhinitic. This year things took  a turn for the worse when 10 weeks ago I started coughing up blood. A CT scan revealed nodules on both lungs which are being biopsied next Tuesday. My blood tests show a high rheumatoid factor. Does anyone have a clue what this could be and the likelyhood of it being cancerous?

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • brenda62546
    brenda62546 sharonamy1965

    Posted

    Hello Sharonamy, 

    I am not a doctor, but when you mentioned about having a high rheumatoid factor, this is the first thing I thought of. I do know that a High Rheumatoid Factor, if positive, represents Rheumatoid Arthritis. Also, there is a lung condition that can be associated with Rheumatoid, and the lungs can also have lung nodules. Since RA is an autoimmune disease, the lungs, if they are effected, the airways can become inflamed, sort of like asthma. The autoimmunity causes the body to attack its own self, and the lungs can be one of the parts it attacks. I think this kind of lung condition is classified under Interstitual Lung Disease. They try to treat it with medications that suppress the immune system, so the body won't keep attacking itself, and in this case, the lungs. Patients don't have to actually have RA, infact, some never get the RA arthritis. But, usually this kind of lung condition shows up before symptoms of arthritis do (or doesn't, just depends on the person). My doctor noticed my airways were inflammed, and is having me visit a Rheumatoid specialist next month. I don't know that much about it yet, but this is what she explained to me so far. In the past, I use to get laryngitis usually for a couple of weeks, only one time a year, which occured usually in Spring time. I also have rhinitis, which she is also testing me for. I have had rhinitis for many years too, and usually all year long. 

    I hope you don't have anything seriously wrong, and hoping it is something simple, keep us informed about your results!. 

    Brenda xo

    • sharonamy1965
      sharonamy1965 brenda62546

      Posted

      Thank you for taking the time to help me Brenda it is very much appreciated smile What is your diagnosis so far? Everything you have written makes a lot of sense.
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 sharonamy1965

      Posted

      At first they thought I had COPD, but when I took the PFT test (pulmonary function test), the level was borderlining severe and very severe. My Pulmonologist didnt think that I had emphysema because of the results of the PFT stages being severe, and myself appearing so healthy, plus she said that at this severe stage, Id be bed ridden, etc. In her experience as a Doctor, only little frail old ladies have emphysema at the severe stage like I have. She just didnt feel that I had emphysema, in her judgement, and on cat scans, emphysema was not found. So she tested me and found inflammation on my cat scan, which could indicate a number of other lung conditions, usually inflammation is listed in the classificaton of Interstitual Lung Diseases, which are many.

      The testing for these conditions can take alot of time, but is important due to the type of treatments, and life spans. The ILDs are restrictive due to inflammation, and, the COPDs are obstructive due to not being able to exhale as well as inhale gases. Next month I have to visit a Rheumatoid specialist, since my doctor suspicions this lung condition, so I will have to wait and see. She also has taken a cat scan of my sinus's, and my next visit she will discuss that with me. On another cat scan they found two very tiny nodules in my upper left lobe, but they felt they were minor, but will keep an check on them in the future.

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546

      Posted

      Sharonamy, thank you for asking, and I hope everything goes well for you!

      I will be thinking of you, and please give an update when you can,

      Brenda xo

    • sharonamy1965
      sharonamy1965 brenda62546

      Posted

      Thank you Brenda. This isn't going to be straight forward is it. I am sorry they can't put their finger on it for you at the moment but it sounds like they are moving in the right direction. What meds have they put you on?
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 sharonamy1965

      Posted

      Hi Sharonamy, you are most welcome! I was diagnosed as COPD for the first year and six months, but when I was assigned a new pulmonologist recently, she immediately disagreed with my copd diagnosis, and started testing me for other lung conditions that fit my symptoms more. There were some of my symptoms that didnt seem like emphysema, whenever I got around many other emphysema patients and compared, such as at rehab. So this is why I believe my doctor is doing the right thing, and moving in the right direction, and is not taking all my time.

      So far I have been taking Sporiva, Symbacort, 2 blood pressure medications, montelukast (hope I spelled it right..lol), synthyroid, prednisone (dr. wants to keep me on prednisone, due to inflammation of airways shown on cat scan), and medication for GERD, and metformin (just started). I am a 6.4 on A1C scale, but not that much Diabetic, just a tad bit Diabetic, but due to Prednisone, dr wants me to take it.

      Are you on any medications, and if so, what are they? Also, have you had a pulmonary function test taken? What was your FEV1 percent?

      It has been so nice talking to you!

    • sharonamy1965
      sharonamy1965 brenda62546

      Posted

      Yes nice talking to you to Brenda. I don't 

      think I've had that test but who knows. My memory is not great smile I've just been put on 3 lots of antibiotics so far which is my only reason for wanting a diagnosis so hopefully my body can finally have a rest. Years of coughing day and night takes its toll.

      Otherwise, I take a high blood pressure pill, prozac and levothyroxine.

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 sharonamy1965

      Posted

      Sharonamy, earlier, I remember you mentioned about coughing up blood, but it just dawned on me, did they find you had a possibly lung infection? If so, you must have been feeling terrible..sorry! I hope the antibiotics help clear it up too. Hopefully your coughing will get better too with antibiotics. Your medications seem similar to mine. 

      I hope you feel much better, and soon...take care! Brenda xo

  • jude65855
    jude65855 sharonamy1965

    Posted

    You need to ask your doctor more questions:  sorry, but there's no way complete strangers on the internet can answer this question.
  • sharonamy1965
    sharonamy1965

    Posted

    Still coughing up blood at night Brenda been told it's the nodule bleeding.. They gave me the antibiotics as blood tests showed infection/inflamation xx
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 sharonamy1965

      Posted

      Sharonamy, sorry to hear about the bleeding. I am so glad to hear they are giving you antibiotics for your infection and inflammation, and am hoping you will be able to completely clear up this infection. It sounds like you are working alot with your doctors, and getting somewhere in finding out what has been wrong, and this has been going on for quite awhile....I hope everything turns out good in the long range! Brenda xo
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546

      Posted

      Also, good luck on Tuesday, regarding the biopsy of the nodules!
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