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Recent Rhumey Visit, Chest XRay

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 3/6/2007 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Just a quick note guys and (mostly) gals,
I saw my Doc last week, she said we are going to start digital chest xrays next visit (they will have the machine then).
Apparently, IIRC, this is a new suggestion for folks like us on either MTX or Enbrel (perhaps both, don't remember). We'll take another periodically to see if any damage is occuring to that region.

You may want to ask your doc. about this if it has not been mentioned to you.

own your disease and treatement ... Craig
Posted 3/6/2007 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
is this for MTX lung?

cool beans
Posted 3/6/2007 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Erin, what is MTX lung? I just completed treatment for atypical TB which my docs were guessing was attributed to long term MTX use, but hadn't seen this before.  Since I was diagnosed a year and a half ago, my rheumy has had a couple of other cases. Prior to the TB, I was being followed with CT scans every six months for what my rheumy called "rheumatoid nodules" in my lungs.  Is this related to MTX lung? I this why Craig doc is doing digital x-rays? I think we may be on to something! Just curious. Frayda

Posted 3/7/2007 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Erin/Frayda,
I guess I'm a little remiss here, I don't recall exactly why the XRays are being done now, and I don't know what MTX Lung is, but it does not sound good.
... Craig
Posted 3/7/2007 2:24 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Craig,  if you don't recall a specific reason for why the x-rays are being done, then it's probably for monitoring only.  Your rheumy has this new toy and is probably having all of her mtx patients do the x-rays.  I wish my rheumy had a digitial x-ray machine.

MTX lung is not good, but it is very rare.  If you're not having any lung sx, don't worry about it.

El

Posted 3/10/2007 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
I am very leary of routine CXRs without symptoms. The CDC guidelines for monitoring of TB related to previous exposures requires x-rays only after an initial positive PPD UNLESS symptoms are present. For those who have previously tested positive, or like me, are anergic and can't be tested, a CXR should only be done if symptoms of active TB develop. The risks of routine radiation exposure for monitoring are too high and this should be addressed with any MD who requests regular CXRs.

I am starting Humira and will not have another CXR or CT scan to assess my lungs until or unless I begin having regular fevers and a productive cough lasting longer than a normal cold.
Posted 3/13/2007 12:30 PM (GMT 0)

Well-said Keah.  Actually, my rheumy did not order a CXR prior to starting the tnf-inhibitors, even though the books say that you should.  I didn't get my first CXR until I started mtx and had a wicked cough for a long time.  In the past year, I've now had 3 CXRs and 2 HRCT scans of my chest.  Wonder if that's done more damage than good?

El

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