Pneumonia that won't go away

[mavis100]

I have had several lung infections over last three mts. Just out of hospital where boop was the only possibility until my lungs were flushed and bacteria was found. I have also been exposed to mold-a lot -in my aptm recently. No one could tell me if fungal test was back. There were no biopsies done- no masses,cancer blood clots. I have RA and had a staff infection last summer after stay in hospital. Lung infection and vulva ulcer. Months on heavy anti-biotics to clear it. I have had asthma 30 yrs but rarely need puffer-  must be exposed to something I'm allergic to .There is definate asthma componant. Went to hospital sat morn -couldn't breathe without pain and great difficuly. Have had that with deep breathing during this time period but this was shallow breathing.They sent me home on my own without meds other than my own doc had prescribed-puffers and singular. No one could explain why hours before I was told I had a serious degenerating lung condition and then sent home with only words to the effect that it would clear itself. Excruciating pain in diafram area and shoulders that only got better when oxygen was increased from 2 to 5 for test, then left at 4 for hours, could not be explained. My family doc said it was cause I needed oxygen, but that didn't fit boop so they offered tylenol which didn't help.He prescribed doxycyline hyclate 100mg,since only mild anti-biotics had been prescribed before and I got better to be floored later. Am coughing and but temp is down and pain with deep breathing is still bad as is occasional shoulder pain near time for puffers and in morning breathing is bad until puffers work and can get winded when crossing floor sometimes.Have only been on anti-biotics 3 of 14 days but am wondering if this is ever going to pass. should I make appointment with infectious disease Dr from last year? This not being well and breathing problems have been 4 mths on and off now. No life for me . Headache still with me.
Dr mentioned drug resistant bacteria and it was hard to get well last time. Was on IV anti-biotics for several weeks then oral. I use enbrel for RA and have for 6 years. It is all that works for me. Have many drug allergies--sulfa morphine  among them. Can't tolerate nsids.or methetrexate.

[grannymac08]

Boy, do I emphathize with you!  Since 9/04, I've had 19 pneumonias...8 in the first 8 months, then a gap of 8 months, one more, then a year's gap, then 9 since spring of 07.  It's been a merry go round for sure!  I'm just waiting for the 'other shoe' to drop on a daily basis - I rarely get notice...go to bed fine, wake up sick as a dog - vomiting with high fever.  Docs figure it might be aspirant, but the pattern...I don't know.  I'm on bipap now to see if that helps (I also have GERD and COPD which are major components, plus sleep apnea, which makes you wake up multiple times during the night (unknown to you) and gasp for air (the gasping is what they think is causing the gunk to hit the lungs, as well as a few episodes of reflux from the gerd - waking up chocking and coughing).  

My guess is that your enbrel is what's causing your immune system to go on strike and make it easy to get infections.  For me, it's prednisone that's doing the same thing.  I'm not suggesting stopping enbrel, no more than I can stop prednisone (breathing), but that might be an explanation for why you keep getting it.  

Hope this helps - and hugs!  I know how you feel!

[lashellie1975]

are u on prednisone?I was wondering if taking prednisone was making you lose taste or smell?I was on Feb.2008 and havent been able2taste hardly or smell.I had a severe bronchial infection that was likely pneumonia but never diagnosed correctly.prednisone helped after day12 but only took half the recommended dose b/c docs tend2overmedicate us and i read that we should only try half recommended dose.it may work better.my symptoms got better and went away but i now have long term taste and smell loss.

[looch41]

I've been on enbrel for about 5yrs for RA and also developed  respitory problems.  I coughed for 6 months and had every test possible.  No diagnosis proved true.  I even had surgery to remove swollen lymphnodes in my chest, which were deemed hyperplastic.  Whats left from the illness is a once-a-day wheeze attack. I stopped taking enbrel for the past month and feel like sh*t.  Heading back to the DR. soon.