Chronic respiratory infections

Hi all. I'm 27 yrs old and about 6 months ago I was diagnosed with a lupus like autoimmune disease.  My pain symptoms are terrible joint pain hair loss and extreme fatigue. What lead to me being diagnosed was a terrible respiratory infection that put me in the hospital for 5 days. I am currently on prednisone, plaquenil and imuran.  I guess my main question is am I the only one that gets chronic bronchitis.  Everytime I turn around I have bronchitis again and am back on antibiotics.  I don't know what to do. I can't miss any more work but feel terrible.  I am sick again after just finishing two rounds of antibiotics less than a week ago.  Any suggestions??? I am so new to this that any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Since you have recurrent bronchitis like features, extreme fatigue and joint pains, cystic fibrosis should be thought of as a possibility. COPD and asthma, diabetes, and hypothyroidism are the other possibilities. It could also be due to severe anemia and rheumatoid arthritis. Since a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given on net please consult your treating doctor regarding this. Hope this helps. Take care!

[am511]

Thanks for all the thoughts.  I am negative for thyroid disease, diabetes, RA and asthma. And blood counts rule out anemia.  I will look into COPD tho. Thanks for the input.  Appreciated