Pulmonary Hypertension News Forums Forums Support Groups PH and Co-Existing Conditions Do You Have PH And An Autoimmune Disease?

  • Do You Have PH And An Autoimmune Disease?

    Posted by Colleen on August 12, 2020 at 2:18 pm

    Forum member, @sandydenn, has an upcoming appointment with a rheumatologist to determine if she has an unmanaged autoimmune disease that caused her PH.

    Do you have an autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis? Where you told that it caused your PH? How is your autoimmune disease being treated with your PH? Has treating the autoimmune issue helped to better manage your PH?

    Please share your personal experience with us.

    jen-cueva replied 1 year, 11 months ago 16 Members · 64 Replies
  • 64 Replies
  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 12, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    I wish you the best at your appointment at @sandydenn. I have been told a few times that this may be a possibility. But, I have yet to fit in a Rheumy to my team. It is a bit full at the moment, lol.

    Once things start to calm a tad, my CRS kicks in, and I forget all about this.

    I do know several PH patients who deal with autoimmune disease, too. Once one is usually under control, it seems to help balance the other. That is what I have noticed as a friend of others dealing with both.

    Please do keep us posted.

    • katherine-pace

      Member
      April 15, 2022 at 11:29 pm

      I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2010.  Then, after 5 years, I developed PAH.  I am on two treatments (Methotrexate and Plaquenil) for my RA and on triple therapy for my PAH (Ambrisentan, Tadalafil and Clinical Trial).  I find that my RA is well managed now as whenever I have a flare it is controlled very quickly.  I think that this helps my PAH quite a lot as inflammation is very detrimental for PAH and RA.  It is important to keep on top of all the symptoms that RA poses in order to keep PAH under control.

      • sandy

        Member
        April 20, 2022 at 1:11 pm

        Very kind and insightful comments. Yes, I love digging in the dirt and coaxing things to grow. My garden is waking up…azaleas blooming, clematis full of buds, knockout roses leafing up… I love all of it. And yes, it is wonderful to recognize that we are not alone in this struggle and that we don’t have to explain repeatedly to each other how it feels… because we each know.
        Be well everyone and keep laughing because Jen is right, that’s the best and cheapest medicine available to us.

  • dawnt

    Member
    August 12, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    @colleensteele, I was diagnosed with limited scleroderma (crest syndrome) shortly before my ph diagnosis. A doctor a friend suggested I see during my search for what was wrong (before being diagnosed with ph) did a lot of bloodwork and it was found then. I see a rheumatologist every six months. Luckily I don’t yet see too many symptoms, and my dr says to just contact them when/if I do and she’ll start treatment. Although my ph dr isn’t totally sure what caused my ph, he thinks it’s more from the undiagnosed/untreated for so long sleep apnea rather than the scleroderma. I also found out through all that bloodwork that I have hashimoto’s thyroid. I’ve been on/off thyroid medication since my teens, with not much of a difference noticed. They did scans when I found out about the hashimoto’s and found that my thyroid gland is almost totally gone. The medication I’m on seems to at least keep me at a steady ‘level’.

    @sandydenn, best of luck with your appointment.

  • jim-sparrow

    Member
    August 13, 2020 at 11:24 am

    In addition to PH, I have 3 other autoimmune diseases:

    1/ Type 1 diabetes (’64)
    2/ Multifocal motor neuropathy (’88)
    3/ Systemic lupus (’96)

  • Colleen

    Member
    August 13, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    @dawnt and @jim-sparrow, I’m sorry that in addition to your PH you battle autoimmune disease. Thank you for sharing. If anything it might help @sandydenn feel less alone and perhaps if she has questions or concerns you might be able to help her. You are all great! Love how helpful our forum members are.

  • steve-stiffelman

    Member
    August 13, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    Hello,

    I was diagnosed with Limited Scleroderma about 16 years ago. The disease is progressive and I experienced some additional issues related specifically associated with scleroderma. It all began with Raynauds syndrome. After 10 years My rheumatologist prescribed annual echocardiograms. After 3 years the Ecco indicated PAH. 15% of patients with my issues develop PAH. I should have played the lottery that week.
    I take celcept for Scleroderma. Not a fun medicine. Overall, both diseases continue to progress. I hope that you do well.

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 13, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    Hi @dawnt, I am sorry to hear about your autoimmune disease, along with PH. I know that adding additional coexisting illnesses complicate matters. I am grateful to know that you do not have many symptoms. Keeping an eye on that and keeping those 6 months appointments are helpful, right?

    Hi @jim-sparrow, so sorry to hear of the addition of those 3 along with your PH. How are you doing managing them together? Do you have any tips for @sandydenn?

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 13, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    Hey @steves, I am sorry to hear that you struggle with several autoimmune diseases along with PH. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you to manage them all. It sounds like your rheumy is staying on top of things for you.

    I love hat you keep your sense of humor through it all. I know my hubby often tells me, maybe we should play the lottery when so many different health conditions pop up

    When you mention, CellCept, what side effect is the most bothersome for you? Is it the gastro side effects? I had a friend with PF who complained most of the GI side effects.

  • roxanne-giustini

    Member
    August 14, 2020 at 7:34 am

    It seems like this might be more common than people think. I have poly glandular autoimmune disorder type 2 that includes Addison’s Disease, Hypothyroidism and Premature ovarian failure. I was diagnosed with those back in 2001 and my pulmonologist and I have discussed that this could have been a contributing factor for the PH. Definitely seems like an area for future research and study. It’s always difficult to struggle with multiple issues at one time and can be difficult to know what is causing symptoms or problems. It is a big help to make sure your different care teams are in coordination. Good luck with everything!

  • jim-sparrow

    Member
    August 14, 2020 at 7:56 am

    I have to agree with what Roxanne said ^^ above ^^ with respect to multiple chronic conditions:

    It is a big help to make sure your different care teams are in coordination

    Often it’s a juggling act trying to manage the meds and symptoms from multiple disorders, but I remind myself that I’m fortunate for the healthcare professionals and care I have in Canada, and there are always people who are far worse off than I am.

    Every day is a new opportunity, and I try to make the most of what I have ????

  • Colleen

    Member
    August 14, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    @steves my son had to take cellcept post-transplant. It was a good day when he was able to stop it. Will you always have to take it?

  • Colleen

    Member
    August 14, 2020 at 4:32 pm

    @rgiustin I’m thinking you are right, co-existing autoimmune disease with PH might be something many deal with. I do know it was something they tested my son for when he was diagnosed with PH so there must be a reason for it. Thank you for sharing your personal struggle with us.

    As @jim-sparrow pointed out, your comment about making sure your different care teams are in coordination is spot on. They really need to communicate with each other. Especially when changing medications or increasing dosages I ask the prescribing doctor to please make sure he updates the rest of my son’s team. I often follow-up and make sure they did.

  • steve-stiffelman

    Member
    August 17, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    Hello all,

    Jen asked me about side effects from CellCEPT. Skin cancers have popped up all over me. I see a dermatologist every 3 months. I have lost a lot of teeth and I do experience a ton of GI problems. I can’t tell whether the GI problems are caused by medicine or scleroderma. My body can’t fight infection. I am so careful avoiding the virus.

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 18, 2020 at 10:05 am

    Hi @steves, I had no idea that CellCept could cause skin cancer. I am sorry to hear of this side effect. I mostly had heard from friends about their issues, as I mentioned previously about the GI side effects. I am happy to hear that your dermatologist is watching you closely. How long after you started CellCept did you notice the skin cancers?

    Another issue you mention is tooth loss, wow. I am sorry, Steve, and know that with PH and your autoimmune issues, along with skin cancer, you must be careful. I am happy to hear that you are so cautious about avoiding this virus.

    Thanks for sharing, I will mention these two to them as well.

  • jerri-modrall

    Member
    August 19, 2020 at 11:15 am

    I have several autoimmune disorders; Type 1 diabetes, Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis…as well as as a connective tissue disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome—all of which probably contributed to my PH and CTEPH. Especially the EDS.

  • valeriekv

    Member
    August 21, 2020 at 3:37 am

    Hi!
    I’m very sorry you guys have this. I’m one of those people. In addition to PH, I have a demyelinating disease (maybe it’s multiple sclerosis). Because of all these diseases and their various manifestations, I have been reading a lot of books on biological chemistry recently.
    I have come to the conclusion that often our diseases are caused not by physical defects, but by chemical ones. I mean that physical disabilities (for example, due to birth trauma) are understandable, visible and explicable. Heart, lung, and especially autoimmune diseases are mostly microscopic chemical failures in the body caused by the same microscopic chemicals or reactions.
    I have not studied biochemistry so much, but I have already realized that, for example, even in our blood, in addition to red blood cells and platelets, there is a huge variety of different substances and cells. We don’t see them and we don’t know anything about it. Perhaps, if you look very, very deeply, all the diseases in one particular person are related. For example, first some virus got into the body, because of this some cells of the body changed and systemic lupus appeared. Lupus damaged something and developed bronchial asthma. Because of asthma, there were some substances and reactions that led to PH. I’m just speculating, but why wouldn’t that happen to someone? Our body is probably the most complex system. I think our doctors do not know and cannot know all this information, because it is a huge complex knowledge, and for this they must know chemistry very well.

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 22, 2020 at 10:10 am

    Hi @modbod115, I am sorry to hear that you have so much to deal with along with PH. I have only heard of EDS once before, I believe. Do you have the vascular type? It would make sense because you also have PH.

    How long have you been dealing with these autoimmune diseases? It must be challenging to figure out which came first. The symptoms of one can easily be similar to another. What would be your best tip for newbies dealing with some of these same illnesses?

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 22, 2020 at 10:19 am

    Hi @valeriekv, you make some valid points. It is great that you are reading to gain a better knowledge of chemistry. As you mention, our bodies are so very complicated. Plus, the doctors see hundreds, if not thousands of patients. How can they possibly know everything about us all?

    Reading and pointing out certain things to our medical team can be beneficial. Often my doctors appreciate when I bring up things to discuss. I realize that some think otherwise. They do not want patients and families coming in, “playing doctor,” as I was once told. I fired that doctor, hehe.

    I hope that you find some answers soon about your demyelination disease. The waiting for answers is often the most difficult.

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 22, 2020 at 10:23 am

    Hi @jim-sparrow, how long did it take to get your diagnosis of MMN? I noticed that that was back in the 80s. Is there anything that you are doing as far as a treatment like IVIG or anything? I am in the process of working with a neurologist on some health issues and trying to get answers. I find these symptoms interesting, and many are similar to what I have experienced off and on.

  • jim-sparrow

    Member
    August 23, 2020 at 7:59 am

    @jenc — It took me about 18 months of complaining to my GP and Endo before I took matters into my own hands and went to the ER. I was lucky enough to get a neuro consult and that started the process (this was summer 1988). Once they’d established I wasn’t suffering from damage to my brachial plexus, they did a number of EMG’s, massive amounts of blood work and spinal taps, and finally established I had what was then called “demyelinating peripheral motor neuropathy with local conduction block”. We now call it multifocal motor neuropathy.

    The diagnosis process is really a matter of elimination (is it MS? ALS? MG? Diabetic Neuropathy? CIDP?), and it can take quite a while. Neurologists are notoriously difficult to get a consult with here in Canada, which could add 6-9 months to your waiting time.

    I’m in Alberta Canada, and at the time there was only one other known patient with this condition. I went for 2nd and 3rd opinions in Toronto and Mayo (Rochester), they both confirmed the diagnosis.

    In Canada at the time, IViG wasn’t approved for use for this disease, so the only options were Apheresis, Steroids and chemotherapy. Unfortunately for the next 3 years I tried them all with no success.

    My neurologist successfully found funding for a double blind study with IViG in 1992, I was patient #1 and have received gamma globulin regularly ever since (28 years). Originally I was getting 90 IV infusions a year. Over the years the product has become more purified and concentrated, I now need only 35 infusions / year (2 every 3rd week).

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 24, 2020 at 1:27 pm

    Wow, @jim-sparrow! What a journey this has been for you. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I am currently consulting with a neurologist and know that it may take a few more tests to get some answers.

    I am grateful that in time, things have been more available for you. Still, 35 infusions seem like a lot to me. But I guess when you were doing 90, this is a considerable decrease. This must be a challenging time this year with the pandemic. Have you been able to have your infusions for the last several months?

    To think this is only your journey for this illness, PH and others are adding to the mix. Take care of yourself.

  • jim-sparrow

    Member
    August 27, 2020 at 10:47 am

    @jenc

    This must be a challenging time this year with the pandemic. Have you been able to have your infusions for the last several months?

    Jen – The infusions continue, almost without missing a beat. Of course the Day Medicine unit at the hospital has strict triage protocols in place, and to be honest I feel far safer being there than I do the grocery stores (our city implemented mandatory masks for everyone in a public space).

    I hope everyone else is dealing with the pandemic issues ok. While many of my doctor’s appointments are still virtual (phone or Zoom), some do require physical appointments.

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 27, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    Hi @jim-sparrow, I am happy to hear that your infusions have continued through this pandemic. I do know that my cancer/infusion center is open as they with chemo and other IV meds just cannot stop. Yes, I also agree that the centers are much safer than the grocery store.

    Here in Texas, we also have a mandatory mask order. But, I do think it ends at the end of the month. I believe that they will extend it.

    Is that the only appt besides labs that you have been in person versus virtual?

  • denise-k-thompson

    Member
    August 28, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    Wow, you folks are dealing with so much. I truly feel your struggle. A positive ANA & a rash brought me to the rheumatologist several yrs ago. I’m taking hydroxychloroquine for some type of autoimmune disease, but doc keeps going between Lupus & Crest, mostly because of the PH. Sjogrens is thrown in also, for which I take Pilocarpine. The PH, by far, is my #1 concern, regarless of how I got it. At this point my kidneys are good & outside of some skin, eye, mouth & nose problems, I don’t find them to complicate my health that much.

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    August 31, 2020 at 9:16 am

    Hi @dinky1952, it sounds like you have a lot to deal with also. PH alone is enough, right? Then once we start adding in other health issues, things become that much more complicated. I am grateful to hear that your kidneys are OK. I hope that this continues for you.

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