Lung nodule non calcified 4.7 mm Autoimmine issue?

[PaulaAnn]

During a cat scan, my pulmonologist found a 4.7 mm lung nodule in right lung.  This in July 2013.  He suggested another ct scan in Jan 2014.  The office just called and said that the dr says the nodule has NOT changed in 6 months and to call back in 1 month for an appt in 3-4 months..  This nodule is non calcified...which worries me.  This is new to me.

I have had rheum arth for 30 plus yrs...have sjogrens, raynaud, scleroderma...all the overlapping diseases that come with r/a.  I know r/a nodules are considered calcified, correct?.

I am also on Orencia for my r./a and prednisone 5 mg. I know alot of my issues are due to my r.a
  

what else shows up as non calcified?  What else could it be?  and if this was serious, would this have grown?  

Thank you for any help.  

Paula

[PaulaAnn]

Thank you so much.  all the pulm told me was that the size hasn't changed and that it was from my scleroderma, sjogrens.  he didnt think to seem to think it was a lung nodule but some sort of the fibrosis or infection. Benign and not a nodule.  He didnt give me any antibiotics for it.  so its still a bit of a mystery to me. He has me listed as having interstitial lung disease with honeycombing in the bases.  so that's not reassuring.  but glad that the ??? hasn't grown and you are probably correct that its the histoplasmosis.  I will look up what you told me.  I'm impressed by all that you know.

thank you.

[TheLightSeeker]

Hey Paula, it's been a while.

If you can go wheat and gluten free as a trial, I would think is worth the sacrifice, since you're already low carb.
If you do, give it a couple months at least to find out if it makes a difference, since the effects of gluten linger around long after going GF.

I wonder if you have the HLA-B27 gene marker which affects about 25% of the people who have it (clinical arthritic/rheumatic symptoms), or MTHFR
gene mutation (which affects all biochemical processes in the body).
Look it up online and see if this is something you should explore further.

For gastro issues, look into the therapeutic properties of demulcent herbs,
like aloe vera gel (oral), which  help soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissues.

Glad the nodule hasn't changed.
Did you find out if was indeed linked to  histoplasmosis
and blastomycosis and therefore benign as I had mentioned then?
Not, that this changes anything, but it puts your mind at ease.

Take care.
Niko

[PaulaAnn]

I went back to check on your msg.  hadnt read it for awhile.  I am on a biologic called orencia wkly and i read that this does cause exacerberation of interstitisial lung disease..which I have.. there is honey combing in both bases and some small areas of fibrosis.  I am a mess.  with r/a for 30 yrs, ealry cirrhosis, now this lung issue.  I dont have much money but can afford ex olive oil, coconut oil, and go without carbs, buy some protein powder.  have lots of gastro issues also.  always fun at my place.  had my 6 mo lung ct and showed bilateral honeycomb in lung bases..nodule is the same size,  I dont even feel like I get tired at all but know this is progressive.  i'm not sure how I got all this 'stuff" but with r/a  for 30 yrs, raynauds, scleroderma, sjogrens, etc etc.  why not?  Thanks Niko.

[TheLightSeeker]

Hey Paula,

You know there are a gazillion things one can do outside the " conventional medical box" of thinking for RA, FMS, CFS, OA etc.

The first thing I would do is cut out all sources of inflammation possible
-I know it's a tall order & it's easier said than done- but it is DOABLE!
One common pathway that leads to serious inflammation (you must have heard of tumor necrosis factor -TNF!) goes like this:
free carbohydrates (specially simple carbs) + protein molecules  bind together--> Glycation (rendering the protein molecules kinda useless--> Advanced Glycation End Products form (AGES -which can form outside the body as well when foods containing long chain fatty acids, most oils are such, are heated!) and are a big factor in the development and worsening of many serious and chronic diseases--> TNF production increases as these processes along with other  oxidative processes take place in the body, which is now involved in systemic inflammation and implicated in diseases like IBD, Psoriasis, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Depression. etc
Humira, Stellara, Enbrel, Remicade (biologics) are all TNF inhibitors!
(I have developed an alternative TNF inhibiting remedy using simple compounds and supplements -w/o the immune suppression adverse effects of the biologics and w/o the huge costs as well), besides the suggestions that follow below. If you want the details message me.

So, things you can do:
1. Limit your carb intake or go carb-free.
2. Take anti-oxidants. Glutathione-which is manufactured in the body-
is the Master Anti-Oxidant. To boost its production Undenatured Whey Isolate Protein Powder seems to be the best method that I have tried.
NO blender, no heat, just mix a Tablespoon into your fav. veg. juice well, twice daily and this should be enough to bring your levels of glutathione up.
3. Do NOT use cooking oils other than coconut oil , because heat will alter their chemistry and contribute to the formation of free-radicals, oxidation, AGEs and consequently more inflammation.
I always use coconut oil in cooking, since it's a medium chain fatty acid and it does not alter in cooking.
Coconut oil is also antifungal, antiparasitic , antiviral and antimicrobial.
I use 4-5 T daily of extra virgin organic and also do daily Oil pulling (swishing) each morning with it. You should look this up, it's wonderful and besides great oral health, it keeps bacteria and toxins from getting into the body from the oral cavity, so less toxicity and less infection!

There a lot more things one can do, but the above are fundamental and
relatively easy to implement.

I live in Northern Ontario now.

Cheers!
Niko

[PaulaAnn]

Thank you Niko.  I am just glad it didnt grow...seems like r/a is affecting every organ I have now after 30 yrs.  

I've heard of the fungal infections...no treatment for them?  UGH....  

I have to call the pulm in a month and see him again in July.  I hate the wait.

Oh and I am not a spring chicken either.

Thanks Niko!  I live in NE Ohio....Canton area

[TheLightSeeker]

Paula, lung nodules in general, are very common and 99% are benign.
You are from OHIO, where the prevalence of  histoplasmosis
and blastomycosis (  from usually harmless fungal organisms in the environment) is high & frequently linked to lung nodule formation.
In most cases no treatment is needed for these.
Have it checked it out and see if this is actually what it is.

Best wishes.
Niko

[PaulaAnn]

I am a gyn cancer survivor stage 1  rad, chemo and surgery and also a non smoker.   Paula