Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Lung Pain?

Ever since my father died from lung complications due to rheumatoid arthritis, I've lived with the fear that the same thing could happen to me. Even knowing that advanced rheumatoid arthritis such as he had is rare, I frequently find myself questioning every ache and pain as an early symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. When I share my father's story with people unfamiliar with the disease, most are surprised to learn that rheumatoid arthritis doesn't just affect your joints. It is an autoimmune disease that can affect any organ and people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can experience lung pain.

RA & Lung Pain Caused by Pleurisy

Pleurisy is an inflammation or an increase in the fluid in lining of the lungs. My father was diagnosed with pleurisy at least once in his life, and his doctors believed it was a complication associated with his rheumatoid arthritis. Pleurisy can cause sharp shooting pains in the chest, especially when breathing deeply or coughing. Pleurisy caused by rheumatoid arthritis will usually subside when the RA flare-up passes, but your doctor may prescribe different medications to help with the pain.

RA & Lung Pain Caused by Rheumatoid Nodules

According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 25% of people with joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis also get rheumatoid nodules, which are small lumps on or near the affected joint. In some people, these lumps can also form in the lung tissue. Most people don't know they have a rheumatoid nodule in their lungs until one shows up on a chest x-ray. Depending on where the lump is located, it can cause some pain or shortness of breath.

RA & Lung Pain Caused by Scarring

When rheumatoid arthritis affects connective lung tissue, it can cause scarring that reduces your lung function. This can lead to shortness of breath or pain when trying to breath deeply. Scarring in deep lung tissue is called pulmonary fibrosis. Unfortunately, this damage is irreversible, but a change or addition to rheumatoid arthritis medications can halt the process and prevent further damage. Towards the end of his life, my father had less than 20% of normal lung capacity because of scarring caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

If you have RA and experience any kind of lung pain or prolonged shortness of breath, call your rheumatologist right away to diagnose the problem. Fortunately, there have been huge advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis since my father passed away and people suffering from this disease have many options to help control pain and halt progress of the disease.

Sources:
National Institutes of Health, Rhematoid Lung Disease