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UC and lung dysfunction/disease

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/9/2007 6:48 PM (GMT -8)
I was looking up something else to do with UC today and came across a few websites that talk about lung problems associated with UC. Have any of you ever hear anything about this? Has you Dr. ever talked to you about symptoms to watch for etc.

Some sites say that 57% of people with IBD that they tested had lung dysfunction. If the percentage is so high, why isn't ever mentioned? I'd love to hear others opinions or experience with this. Thanks. I really try not to worry about all the things that could go wrong, but it's hard not to when you read all the crap that can happen to you when you have UC. I've had a tickle in my throat/chest since the middle of July, and thought it was probably just a reaction to pollens or something, now I'm thinking I've got some horrible lung problem due to UC. Apparently even drugs we take Asacol etc can cause lung problems.
Posted 9/9/2007 8:29 PM (GMT -8)
Hi...I did ask my doctor about that since another member a while back mentioned it (and I had not read heard about it either)

I have asthma (which a few of us seem to have), and he did acknowledge the connection between 5ASA and related lung disease. Since mine has never changed and is controlled, he's not concerned, nor am I considering I already have a UC related liver disease. He also said it's quite rare (but statistics don't impress me since it's quite easy to be on the odd stat).

You should, however, get your GP to do a lung function test as well as x-rays for a base-line at least.

The constant tickle could possibly be reflux. Have you tried even Zantac to see if that improves? I can understand the respiratory/reflux symptom similarities.

The doctors aren't going to tell us all the possibilities of what we can get....it's quite overhwhelming just to be diagnosed with UC. I think as we get smarter through research and formulate questions, they start answering them for us. There are always risks with any meds we take and having autoimmune disease can set us up for all sorts of other stuff.

I believe by making the best effort to keep UC inflammation low as possible, the rest hopefully will follow.

How are you doing otherwise?

quincy
Posted 9/9/2007 8:50 PM (GMT -8)
I have asthma also, I also have a tickle in my throat alot but it is due to my allergies. I have had breathing test done and except for my exercised induced asthma it all comes back ok. could be allergies.
Posted 9/10/2007 2:33 AM (GMT -8)
Hi, I have had a cough since last september. . I go to a lung specialist but it took him a will to realize it was due to my UC. He found this out by doing reseach. My xrays are fine and I have had a cat scan and due another in oct. My gastro doctor has put me on Humira shots because my flare up is so bad . She is hoping the Humira will kick in and take care of my coughing too. But I agree with quincy it could be refulx . Mine was real bad and the doctor gave me protonix and the drainage has stopped. I had read on this site that so many people take protonix I ask her for it.
Diagnosed Sept 2005

METFROMIN X 4 500 MG
COLOZAL X 10 750 MG
PRESIDONE X 2 10 MG
LEXAPRO X 1 10 MG
PRAVASTATIN X 1 40 MG
CALTRATE X 2 600 M
PROTONIX X1 40MG
Canasa
One a day vitamin
caltrate d
Posted 9/10/2007 8:02 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks ladies! I have been having a bit of heartburn now and then, but also have post nasal drip feeling. It's a general burning, scratchy, feeling from my throat to my stomach. I have not cough or shortness of breath, so hopefully my lungs aren't involved.

What tests do they do for reflux. Knowing my GP, he'll just give me some meds and tell me that if they take the feeling away, then it was obviously reflux. I'd rather know for sure before taking the meds.

What I've read about the lung dysfunction is that the lungs almost always show normal in x-rays and the lung function tests also don't show anything. I think they have to do a CAT-scan to know for sure, but I'm not sure about that. I'm going for a full physical in a couple of weeks, so will mention this weird throat/chest sensation to him then. I assume if my lungs were involved, I would most likely have a cough, which I don't.

Other than that, I've been doing well, thanks for asking quincy. My UC is under pretty good control. Only having 2 formed bms a day. The blood only seems to show up around my period, so I increase the enemas and/or suppositories around them. My GI is taking very good care of me, and I really like him. I get blood tests every 4 months as well as see him. He's very open to hearing what the patient has to say, which I like very much. My GP on the other hand is a bit of an ass. He thinks I'm obsessive because I like to research things and get myself all worked up. In some ways he may be right, 'cause now I'm worried about lung disease after researching on the 'net. Thanks for listeing and the advise everyone!
Posted 9/10/2007 9:45 AM (GMT -8)
I had never heard this either, but I am constantly short of breath and I know I am a very shallow breather... I take small breaths and I often find myself exhaling and then not inhaling for some time. I'll bend over and get "floaters" in my eye sight, I'm assuming from the lack of oxygen. I became particularly aware of it when I started yoga class because breathing is such a huge part of the practice and I would frequently become lightheaded.

That's interesting to know there may be some connection though. Thank you!
Posted 9/10/2007 6:22 PM (GMT -8)

Let me preface my post by stating that I'm a half pack a day smoker and have been since before the UC DX

Well, even slightly before DX I used to feel occasionally short of breath -

But every now and then now, definitely not all the time, I get shortness of breath and sometimes wheezing (which I never ever had)

I believe I read somewhere regarding the autoimmune condition AS that it can cause the ribs to tighten? Correct me if I'm wrong, sorry I don't have the time to double check that fact.

Anyway, this concerns me as well and I guess I will mention it when I get my next physical with the GP as my GI would probably just look at me.

Posted 9/10/2007 10:37 PM (GMT -8)
Seems AS can affect more than the vertebrae..secondary as does UC. Seems anything autoimmune affects more than one area.

My dad had AS and my sister has it.  I've been tested in the past for it..came back negative, although that was 25 years ago.  maybe worth another check..

This should help you formulate the request for a test without your doc looking at you strangely. 

http://www.webhealth.co.uk/a_to_z_of_health/ankylosing_spondolitis.asp

q

 

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