Recurrent Lower Lobe Pneumonia

[nctrnlrdhd]

I have been battling asthma for years. Since moving back to Houston 11 years ago it has worsened. Last year I had pneumonia for six months. My bronch last year was completely negative.

Needless to say the pneumonia showed up on a recent CT scan only now it is in both lungs. My bronch showed nothing and the doctor is dubious as to the pathology on the two biopsies. The only out of whack test is mhy ANA 1:160. That has been that way throughout this period. My ANCA is negative. and rheumatologist says alll else is negative.

I am Jewish, and have ulcerative colitis, temporal lobe epilepsy, and CFIDS.. So obviously I am a on lots of meds.
At this point I am very depressed and on 25 mg. of prednisone daily and whatever the antibiotic of the week is. I was athletic up until two years ago. Unfortunately, since then I get very asthmatic when I hike (not in TX).

What the heck could this be and is CF a possibility due to the Jewish factor? Also there has been some question as to Churg-Strauss. No one has looked at the CF possibility. Will this be indefinite for life. I am 43 and really low on friends at this point.

[nctrnlrdhd]

Thank you. A lung biopsy was done, but showed vary little. No virus or bacteria. I am not sure what that leaves me with . My ANA was also elevated at 1:160 for the 3rd time in 3 years. Not sure where to go from here. I would love to see the full washing and biopsy results. Mostly what I got to see was that I have elevated RBCs and WBCs, and white mucoa  in my lungs, then the results were literally grabbed away from me from the rheumatologist.

The pulmnnologist is thinking BOOP, Churg Strauss, or inflammatory lung disease, but has requested that I see you for a second opinion. What will take place once I am in Denver? Will there be another biopsy? I hope not. I have no one to take care of me after a biopsy in Denver, yet. I am loooking.  Please do answer.

[mmagdalene]

Hi, I am brand new on this site and just read your message and it looks like I could have written it.  I have been ill like this for two and 1/2 years now with the lung and breathing problems and am also searching for answers.  It is interesting that I also suffered from ulcerated colitis a few years ago.  Thank you Lord, I am totally healed from that problem.  I was facing surgery after prednisone did not work for me.  It was a bloody time indeed, and I was at the all time low when a Godly friend told me about bovine colostrum and after taking eight captules a day for a week the diarrhea and bleeding stopped and my next check up showed the ulcers gone . . . Now, I am praying for a healing for these lungs of mine.  It started with mycoplasma pneumonia, now I get very asthmatic with almost any activity.  May I hear from you . . .    

[nctrnlrdhd]

Thank you. A lung biopsy was done and showed inflammation, but no virus or bacteria. I am not sure what that leaves me with . My ANA was also elevated at 1:160 for the 3rd time in 3 years. Not sure what to go from here. I would love to see the full washing and biopsy results. Mostly what I got to see was that I have elevated RBCs and WBCs in my lung, then the results were literally grabbed away from me.

The doctor is think BOOP, Churg Strauss, or inflammatory lung disease, but has requested that I see you for a second opinion. What will take place once I am in Denver? Will there be another biopsy? I hope not. That was horrible. Please do answer.

[National Jewish Health]

You have a number of serious problems.  The first step should be a lung biopsy to establish the cause of your pneumonia.  Churg-Strauss has been described as occurring with ulcerative colitis (UC).  The pneumonia could be:  
• allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) related to your asthma;
• a non-infectious pneumonia, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis; or
• a reflection of collagen-vascular disease.

There is said to be an association between UC and asthma.  One study showed that:
Airway microvascular hyper-permeability induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may have a profound effect on airway function and can explain the heightened airway hyper-responsiveness characteristic of asthma associated with UC.

You may want to get a second opinion regarding your pneumonia, should your pulmonary specialist not wish to proceed with a lung biopsy.  You should also consider psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy for your depression.

Good luck