Pleural effusion
Just got diagnosed with this
Would like to know if anyone else has. Thank you.
First off, I am sorry you are dealing with this issue,
. Secondly (and please know that you do not have to answer), do you have other medical conditions that may have contributed to this problem? Sometimes, certain types of cancer can contribute to pleural effusion, as can pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary embolism. I have not come across any community members here that have experienced pleural effusion, but that doesn't mean they're not here; they just might not have shared that information here before.
I know experiencing an episode of water on the lungs can be scary and painful, so I hope you are doing well and I hope you have been given some treatment for this.
How are you feeling right now? Are you feeling confident if the treatment options you have been given (if you have been given them)? Is there ay specific information you are looking for?
I am sorry I can't offer any personal experience with you, but I do hope you get some helpful insight from other community members and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I'm happy to help in any way I can!
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
I do not have any of those other conditions that you mentioned. I do have RA.
Thank you, that's interesting. Did your doctor have any idea what caused the pleural effusion? How have you been doing since this diagnosis? Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
Erin
No I go back to my PC Thursday July 7, then RA Nurse Practitioner on July 11.
I have made a list of my questions and concerns.
I was diagnosed on June 22 after chest X-ray and he prescribed antibiotics. After he called me I called my RA Doctor that Wednesday June 22. No call back. Called again on Thursday no call back. Decided to send over my X-ray results to RA a doctor. Her nurse called me Monday, June 27, at about 4:30 pm. Said to stop taking methotrexate and to see Nurse Practitioner on July 11th. I said I wish you would have called me sooner because I take methotrexate on Mondays and I had already taken it that day. I’m sorry for the long rant, but I’m very frustrated. Thanks for listening.
I'm so sorry you had such a frustrating experience! It is very frustrating to be dealing with a new condition and waiting (and waiting) to hear from your doctor about what to do. Please know that you're welcome to rant here anytime. We are here for you. I do hope that you can get some answers this Thursday (and on July 11). And hopefully any community members here can let you know if they have experience with pleural effusion as well as RA. If you're comfortable, please keep us posted with what you find out and how you're doing. Sending gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) , please don't apologize! I would be really frustrated, too! I am so glad you were persistent! I hope your appointment on the 11th is fruitful! As, Christine mentioned, please keep us posted, if you would like to.
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
Thank you. I’ll keep you posted.
Hi
. As , I haven't come across community members mentioning pleural effusion. I did find this article on a connection between it and RA, also involving low glucose numbers: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm196612152752404#:~:text=In%20patients%20with%20rheumatoid%20arthritis,fluid%20has%20not%20been%20defined. Unfortunately, without a subscription, only the beginning of the article is available. This article also points in a similar direction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6844014/. Just thought this might be helpful in the discussion with your doctor. Wishing you the best. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
I have bilateral plural effusions, I also had to have a cardiac window surgery 2 weeks ago due to having a cardiac tamponade which rheumatoid is believed to have been the cause. I also have Multiple Sclerosis. This has been a very scary experience. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Dang Bethk that is a scary complex of symptoms. In the gentlest, non-sarcastic way, I Hope you are breathing easy soon and can leave this episode behind you, Jo Hi
. I know RA connected cardiac tamponade is rare, but can happen. As noted in this article, it is most likely to progress to this point due to active RA, so it may be helpful to discuss with your rheumatologist anything additional that can be done to bring down your inflammation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4522992/#:~:text=Progression%20to%20cardiac%20tamponade%20most,inflammatory%20process%20of%20the%20disease. Note: this article also discusses a successful treatment of the cardiac tamponade.
Also, in case you were not already aware, I want to let you know that we have a sister-site for MS at https://multiplesclerosis.net/. There you can find the same level of information and support for that condition as you find here for RA. Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
