Re: mtx and lung probs!

[Guest guest]

I had drug induced pneumonitis from MTX. This is inflammation of the

lings...it was horrible I had the worst hacking gaging constant cough.

I was breathless and could not even say a whole sentence. I was told

left untreated it can lead to permenent lung damage or even death. I

got lucky cause my PCP caught it and got me off MTX immediately after

my rheummy ignorred my complaints about a cough, SOB, sore and chest

pain from coughing so much.

My lungs did heal with no permenent damage. I am not nor have I ever

smoked. However I am suffering right now from post-viral syndrome

(cytokine storm) which is attacking my lungs. Which has been no fun.

My doc said it can run 12 weeks untreated...and for those with auto-

immune disease can do permenent damage or be fatal. So go figure. All

I know is that MTX was NOT a good med for me. It has some of the worst

side effects I have ever experienced.

Toni

>

> After around 7yrs on mtx i started to get very breathless,and

wheezy.My

> reumy immediately stopped the mtx,and replaced it with sulphasalazine

> and another one i can't spell.He then placed me under the care of a

> lung specialist.I was diagnosed with emphasema,which has increasingly

> become more troublesome over the last couple of years.I use a neb

when

> my breathing is at its worst,and have been admitted into hospital on

a

> few occasions.When i was placed on mtx they knew i was a heavy

> smoker,and i did question this at the time,but i was assured that it

> was ok to continue with the drug.I have since given up smoking.I was

> wondering whether other members knew of the risk of serious lung

> problems before starting mtx,or who have experienced my probs.

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > After around 7yrs on mtx i started to get very breathless,and

> wheezy.My

> > reumy immediately stopped the mtx,and replaced it with

sulphasalazine

> > and another one i can't spell.He then placed me under the care

of a

> > lung specialist.I was diagnosed with emphasema,which has

increasingly

> > become more troublesome over the last couple of years.I use a

neb

> when

> > my breathing is at its worst,and have been admitted into

hospital on

> a

> > few occasions.When i was placed on mtx they knew i was a heavy

> > smoker,and i did question this at the time,but i was assured

that it

> > was ok to continue with the drug.I have since given up smoking.I

was

> > wondering whether other members knew of the risk of serious lung

> > problems before starting mtx,or who have experienced my

probs.

> >

>