Has anyone developed asthma after a cold or upper respiratory infection? that's what has happened to me this spring. I'm now on an inhaler, Advair, twice a day. I'm curious to know if this is connected with the RA, or in addition to it. Looking back, there were signs that I did not recognize, for several weeks beforehand, at least.
Hi, Ellen,
I was sick w/RA in May last year. In July of last year, I had an awful asthma attack. Have been on Advair and I now have a rescue inhaler. My doc thinks there is a connection between my RA and asthma.
V
WEll, they both do involve the immune system, don't they?!
I read somewhere that people with RA who have allergies generally have less severe RA. I know that most of the people I hear from here seem to be in worse shape. I do not seem to have the severe flares that others have. (On the other hand, I seem to have a lot more problems with side effects! There's "no free lunch!" with RA!)
Yes, they do. I heard my doc saying something about my immune system being all out of whack. I ended up needing a breathing treatment, and everything. My pulse oxygen was down to 86. I knew I felt bad, I just didn't know why. That was a scary thing. I take Advair twice a day, too, and it really helps me a lot. I also take Zyrtec every day, of course. I have a lot of allergies to meds, some foods, and environmental allergies, too. I read an article somewhere about RA and allergies going hand in hand, but I don't remember where I saw that. Don't know if it is true or not, but it is my case, and apparently yours also.
Best Wishes,
V
Can you develop asthma in response to a respiratory infection -- you betcha. Its called illness-related asthma.
As to RA and asthma, my rheumy is quite fond of reminding me that RA is a systemic disease. Evidently pleural and pulminary systems are very common in RA, but most are so mild that they go unnoticed.
The pulmonary systems are:
* shortness of breath
* cough
* chest pain
* fever
* crackle sounds when listening to lungs with stethoscope (but decreased breath sounds or normal breath sounds are also possible)
...which are all symptoms of asthma as well.
Hi Berserke,
I hear you! My doctor called it post-infectious asthma. My grandmother had the panting pulmonary fibrosis and that's why I was thinking this could be related too. But you know - whether it is or isn't, I now have both, and although it's better than it was, it's not gone. When I think back over the last couple of years, there were often times, when I suddenly was gagging on mucus, and I assumed it "dropped down" from my sinuses. Now, I'm convinced, that it came up from below - it just never occurred to me before that that could happen.
Well, and now I'm having some surgery on my foot tomorrow and I never had to think about breathing before. The doctor knows, and they will be giving me meds to help, but D_____! Just one more thing to deal with!
Thanks for writing ....
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
to my knowledge, asthma is not a comorbidity of RA. However, allergies and asthma can develop suddenly and especially after a cold, pneumonia or upper respiratory infection. This year seems to be particularly awful for allergies and asthma - I know a couple of people who have never had any problems before and were now carrying around a puffer.
Yup, same here ... in fact, I called my sister-in-law in Vermont and told her about it, and she was going through the same thing! It was the second time for her...
E
Yup, same here ... in fact, I called my sister-in-law in Vermont and told her about it, and she was going through the same thing! It was the second time for her...
E
Hi Ellen,
I have also developed mild asthma I carry an inhaler with me and use it as needed. I wonder if its related, but like you guys I also have a bunch of allergies. The thing I noticed is that after every round of allergy shots something went out of whack in my immune system. The first one was being diagnosed as a celiac and then the second one was Pleuresy and RA flare.
MArtilla
So you were getting allergy shots even though you have RA? I was told that (maybe since my allergies are mild) with RA they don't use allergy shots!