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Sjogrens and pneumonia / bronchial issues

Posted , 5 users are following.

tracy79802
tracy79802

Hi. 

Does anyone or has anyone with SS experience bronchial issues or have bouts of pneumonia?

I’m wondering if there’s a correlation with the dryness of sjogrens and bronchial / pneumonia issues. Since I’ve been diagnosed it seems like a common theme — particularly when I have a SS flair and my mouth is dryer than normal for a longer period of time.  And I never seem to feel it coming on until I experience shortness of breath and by then it’s too late. 

Appreciate any thoughts or advice. 

Tracy. 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • aitarg35939
    aitarg35939 tracy79802

    Posted

    I have massive bronchial issues but they are not due to SS. The worst for me is the bronchiectasis which stems from long ago big lung infections, development of chronic bronchitis after those infections, lack of following pulmonologist orders (daily nebulizer meds), and assuming that I knew more than the docs did. Throw in smoke inhalation from a kitchen fire 2 years ago and I ended up with pneumonia & BX.

    The way SS factors into this for me is in the difficulty of getting thick phlegm up & out of my lungs.

  • lily65668
    lily65668 tracy79802

    Posted

    Hi tracy,

    I started getting bronchial problems about three years ago - more than 20 years down the line from my first SS symptoms. I didn't identify this as a problem at first, as it mainly bothered me during the tree pollen allergy season in the spring (which always causes sneezing and itchy eyes).

    However, when I started coughing during a visit to my GP, he pounced on this, said it was a typical asthmatic cough. He tested me with the mini-spirometer they use, and announced my lung capacity was down. I was very reluctant to start using a steroid inhaler, but he convinced me that long-term lung inflammation, whatever the cause, could eventually lead to permanent damage, even in a lifelong non-smoker like me.

    I've used the inhaler ever since, and my lung capacity is now normal. I've never had pneumonia or even bronchitis.

    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 lily65668

      Posted

      There are some elephants in the room of our assumptions about SS & bronchial issues. One of them is asthma which can arise later in life, or reach a clinical level later in life. Another is that so many of us have spent decades living in pollution, which definitely factors into rising levels of asthma at all stages of life. I'm in the States: if city pollution doesn't get you then all the chemicals sprayed on fields & orchards will. And don't get me started on molds & dust in the air, lol.

      We also may be assuming that our lungs will perform for 40-80 more years at the same level as when we were teens. Some folks are blessed that way; I suspect that most people are not.

      Aging affects everything in our bodies, not just our ovaries, and we are so lucky to have lived long enough to experience that. Breathing issues should always be checked by our doctors but i fir one will not blame SS unless/until they do.

  • christine_73623
    christine_73623 tracy79802

    Posted

    i nearly died a few years ago due to phumonia, and was on life support for 11 days, with SS our immunity is comprismised any way, and it is very common to have recurring bouts of phumonia with SS, i have had several in the last few years and i am sick with phumonia at the moment .. I would say if any one gets the flu or a cold be very careful as mine will always now go to phumonia now and i need steriods to over come this. all you have to do is goggle phumonia and SS together and it will come up with information about it as i am too sick to go into a long detailed account of it all stay well chrissy
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