MTX and Lung saga continues

I saw my rheumatologist this morning and we discussed the mtx and lung issue. He said that mtx can cause an allergic reaction in the lungs that mimics pneumonia. He believes that is what has happened with me, although he has never seen it act so quickly before (I've only had about 5 doses of mtx). Nevertheless, he would like to re-challenge the mtx once my cough gets back to baseline. I still have a bit of one, but I think it's allergies--not the same thing I had last week. My lungs were clear--they were not on Friday.

I'm going to re-challenge the mtx after another chest x-ray next week. After I have the reaction (and I'm sure I will because I know that it was the mtx that caused this), I'll have another chest x-ray. Just in time to take to the pulmonologist toward the end of September.

One thing my rheumy was not specifically stating, though, but was hinting at between the lines, is that the weird finding on my x-ray is not explained by either an infection, a virus, or a mtx allergic reaction. The "bilateral peribronchial cuffing" is a result that no one was expecting and no one knows how to explain. I think he's sending me to a pulmonologist as much for that as for confirmation that mtx is bad for my lungs. And you know what? I'm scared. Every symptom I've had for the last 4 years has been absolutely identical to my mother's disease course. You may recall that she died of MCTD. But specifically, she died of pulmonary hypertension from interstitial lung disease. Bilateral peribronchial cuffing is a typical finding on the chest x-ray of someone who has ILD.

I'll let everyone know how things turn out, but it looks like it will take some time. In the meantime, I must learn some patience.

Enough of a downer--now it's time to party! I'm going to grab some salsa and chips and veg out in front of the tv. My girls are finally in bed for the night...

Elcamino

Wow, gosh El I'm so terribly sorry.  This is not a nice situation to be stuck in & waiting.

I would however definitely have repeated XRAYS, especially after the summer & when the viscous allergy season has passed.  This season is as you probably heard one of the fiercest allergy times on record.  So who knows how much of what is irritating and perhaps exacerbating your lungs & cough.

When the lungs & heart get involved, I know oh too well the "hit" of seriousness one gets with an AI disease.  It's a rough & scarey scenario.

But you're not alone.

We'll be here for you, thinking of you always & always for an ear.

Hoping you had a good salsa nite! 

You hang in there.

Sincerely,

Erin

Hey el, nothing interesting to add. I googled peribronchial cuffing, and came up with a bunch of stuff I don't understand. Not really unusual for me regardless of what it is I'm googling. Anywho, just wanted to wish you the best and ask you to keep us informed as you know more. Rock on superstar!!

hey El,
it's a terrible thing to add to the list & worry about. i was seriously freaked out when i was made aware of the heart & lung involvement from the RA. it took a while, but like you mentioned...i just make sure i keep any xray appts. and then i FORGET about IT. or try to. is it a dumb thing? nah. i mean, it's there and it's gonna be there...so in time, it weighs less & less on my mind until i have symptoms. but at hand, we've so much on our plate. so you will get through this. be careful & know many prayers go out to you.
sincerely,
erin