Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group lung problems with AS?

Hi everyone -

I know from time to time that the topic of costochondritis (pain where the ribs join the sternum) comes up, but I was just wondering if any of you have ever experienced any other lung problems with your AS. For example has any one been told that they have fibrosis or restrictive lung disease? How 'bout fluid surrounding your lungs? Any replies greatly appreciated.

Just wondering.

Jeanna

It is on the edge of a petal



that love waits - WC Williams

Hi, Jeanna:

Yes, I was born with pneumonia and somehow managed to survive a one month hospital stay way back in the dark ages of medicine.

Later, about a year after the AS symptoms began, I contracted pneumonia again and about two years after that got pleurisy. It was a strange case that pinched my trachea and I was unable to swallow. Boy, was I glad when the doctor told me they found the cause...but he quickly negated the good news with "...no treatment for it"

Of course I have opinions about this stuff and the potential relevance to K. pneumoniae theories.

And if you wanted to add asthma into the mix I can do that, too. Don't have it anymore thanks to antibiotics, NSD, fasting, etc. There seems to be some relationship between Kp and histamine production...but I'm just working on a hunch (as in most people never have a clue--but at least I always have a hunch)...


Best Regards,
John

Hi Jeanna,

Haven't had any of the problems you mention re the lungs. I have had pneumonia about 20 years ago but it left no lasting effects.

My only lung associated problem is associated with my minimal lung expansion. A good walk up a hill will leave me gasping for air as I just can't get enough and fast enough.

It will probably be worse when I get old. lol

George

Breb Assyl

Hi Jeanna,

Funny you should mention this. I don't think it's AS elated but I've had a heaviness in my chest and while in the hospital ER for the dehydration they took a chest x-ray and found 2 spots that weren't there 2 years ago.

I'm going to the dr. tomorrow to see if my loss of appetite and chronic new cough could be a form of pneumonia.... a suggestion by a few and to find out why I can't feel better. Can't take a deep breath laying down, let alone going up a hill like that youngster George

hugs,

linda

Hi Jeanna, there's a post on NASS, Help and Advice, called "AS pneumonia".
Not a lot in the thread, but...

It caught my eye so i searched the net "ankylosing pneumonia" and there are some correlations eg BOOP
http://www.epler.com/boop1.html
Hope this type of research excludes methotrexate users - i'm not convinced that the effects of medications and treatment previously taken are removed from the equation (sometimes).

Ted
proAS_KickAS

Hi Jeanna,

None that I'm aware of so far (touch wood!). Just restricted breathing due to inflammation. (Just over 3cm I think, last time I was checked.)

Sue

Jeanna,

I have had sternum/ribcage pain for many years, but have recently noticed (past year or two) that I have frequent congestion and am more prone to reperatory infections as well. On a recent visit to my GP, I was told not to worry about it, and to expect more with a toddler at home coughing in your face. (I did just recently get over strep throat - thanks, son!).

I'd be interested to hear more feedback on this. Tim's BOOP reference is an intriguing one - that resperatory illness can be linked to inflammatory diseases like AS (at least that's how I read the article).

Take care.

Mike

One can never get any but a loose and ignorant notion of such things except by experience.

~ Mark Twain on the subject of pain

Hi,

I have had breathing problems my whole life. I was always the one who would be gasping for air after any form of exercise. Of course it was always because I was so out of condition. Guess what? NOT! I have problems with my lungs and ribs for years. I have been on and off inhalers for several years. I have had the usual boughts of pneumonia and bronchitis.The worst problem I have had so far with my lungs was from the blood clots.

Take care and huggggggggs,

Lisa

KickAS is more than a support group...it is a family!

Welcome back Lisa! I hope you are feeling much better!

peace
Kathy

"The most beautiful stones have been tossed by the wind and washed by the waters and polished to brilliance by life's strongest storms."

Not sure how much help this will be but I havent yet been dxed yet but have iritis, hlab27 pos., fused ribcage only 1cm. knees, lower back and hip pain, shoulder. Yes I have had lots of problems with pneumonia and now asthma and beging of emphysema. I had plerisy once. But I also have to say Im a smoker too, so dont know how much it is with AS. But I have 2 brothers and a sister with same breathing problems also. My mom has copd now.
Connie