Can anyone help me here?

[Guest guest]

OK I am sorry I have been absent from this group for a long while. Lots of

issues going on here over the last few years but I am now in panic mode.

Over the last four years I have had increasing health issues myself. I was

diagnosed with Lupus in 1995 and have had severeal minor flares most notably

through pregnancy and postpartum. These have usually settled after a few months

and I have gone on to be OKish.

I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis in the late 70s, I have had freuent chest

infections but these have been dealt with by oral antibiotics sometimes needing

a second prolonged course but not too troublesome.

Over the last two years I have been treated with Methotrexate due to severe

joint involvement with my desperately flaring Lupus. Then in November last year

a new rheumatologist decided that I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis.

There was some discussion between the two Rheumatologists as to what treatment

to try me on next.

Currently I take Plaquenil, Asprin, Codydromol, Methotrexate, and Predniselone.

The two options being discussed are Anti TNF treatment or Rituximub.

Both are immunosuppresants.

As a precurser to deciding which was the better option I was sent for a CT scan.

I today got the results.

There is no evidence of Bronchiectasis.

However there are mild centrilobular emphysematous changes.

So of course I have googled, and looked at several reputable sites which all say

this suggests I have mild Emphysema. I have never smoked in my life and neither

did my parents. I did work in an office where people smoked for a short while

but it was not too heavily smokey in there.

I am now really concerned about going onto more powerful immunosuppresants.

I stil have at home and even though his chest has been fairly stable

for the last 3 years he has colonised Pseudomonas.

Eve has a degenerative condition and is frequently hospitalised with severe

pneumonia...has tested positive for Hymophalaos (sp?) twice.

Rosie always picks up and brings home upper respiratory bugs and also can end up

hopsitalised for pneumonia.

Any advice and help would be really appreciated. Especially towards what the CT

scan is saying.

Many thanks

Tina