What is Respiratory Bronchiolitis Interstitial Lung disease

[spike161]

I was recently dignosed with Respiratory Bronchiolitis Interstitial Lung disease  and even after talking to the doctor I don't know what to expect from this disease.  Also what are the sympthoms besided shortness of breath and chest pain? Because I currently have several other sympthoms such as joint pain, muscle pain, severe fatigue, headaches, ligthheadness, and over feeling of illness.  Also, are there any treatments for this disease? My doctor said nothing works.

[gasp]

A related discussion, What is wrong with people? was started.

[National Jewish Health]

You should not accept your doctor's conclusion that "nothing works", even though he/she may be right.  Rather, you should seek a second opinion from a rheumatologist, because from your description, it is highly likely that you have a connective tissue disease as the cause of your non-respiratory symptoms and that your respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease (RBILD) is but one manifestation of the connective tissue disease.

Were it not for the lung disease, the remainder of your symptoms would suggest a possible chronic infectious disease, such as Lyme disease or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), the causes of which remain controversial.

In the majority of cases of Bronchiolitis, not associated with a specific connective tissue disease, the organ specific symptoms are limited almost exclusively to the lungs, except for generalized symptoms such as fatigue.  Chest pain is not a common symptom.

[zodiacqueen]

This is a condition caused by smoking.  You better stop smoking if you want this to go away or to prevent it from progressing.  Also, there is plenty of info about this on the internet-you'll see that I am right.