It’s always something…

[Middlesista]

Hello again - I first started this journey in November 2015 when I was diagnosed with GPA. I found this site and learned so much and was comforted by the stories and the
wonderful people I came across. I have had some issues as many of us do and
tried to live my life and deal with the disease as best I could. I have kept a low
profile on the site but would often check back with questions or information. I
find myself checking back again to try and gather information about reoccurring lung nodules.
I have had these before and had a biopsy before which went terribly wrong and I find
myself in a situation where a biopsy is again needed. A new pulmonary nodule which
is growing - in the past these nodules have shrunk with treatment - on Rituxin with
currently no B cell. Just wanted to reach out to learn if anyone has had a similar experience?

Thanks,

[drz]

Sounds like a stressful experience. Let us know what they learn. Hope it is good news for you.

[Middlesista]

Thanks drz - waiting for repeat Anca to come back. If that is positive it points more towards another GPA nodule, if it is negative points more towards malignancy but need the biopsy to be sure. This spot is about 2cm by 1.8cm. Time will tell I guess….

[drz]

Thanks drz - waiting for repeat Anca to come back. If that is positive it points more towards another GPA nodule, if it is negative points more towards malignancy but need the biopsy to be sure. This spot is about 2cm by 1.8cm. Time will tell I guess….



waiting for results is stressful so hang in there and hope for the best. when is the biopsy?

[Middlesista]

Well ANCA came back negative - points to GPA not being active. The biopsy is Nov 30th. Took care of a patient today (I’m a nurse and still working) and he has nodules that come and go and he does not have GPA. He had a pneumothorax years ago and they used talc as a treatment and the remnants of this has given him nodules that come and go.

Time will tell …. Someone wrote that GPA is the gift that keeps on giving. Not sure if I would consider it a gift however. ����*♀️

[Middlesista]

My CAnca is neg and all my labs point to no active disease. I am on Rituxin, low dose prednisone and I have been dealing with this disease since 2015 with many ups and downs - sinus, eye, nose, lung, kidney involvement. I had written here that I had a lung lesion that was growing and concerning for cancer - docs wanted lung biopsy and I reluctantly agreed since the first biopsy I had back in 2015 did not go well and I ended up with a lung full of blood requiring chest tubes, pro longed hospital stay, home oxygen for a few more months and I could not work. Battled back from that and able to go back to work thankfully. Anyway…this time all went well with biopsy - I do understand that granulomas from GPA can look like cancer. To cut to the chase no malignant cells which is wonderful. I know everyone presents different and I know now I can not rely on my labs since even with negative labs granulomas are growing again ���� It is disheartening that this disease can reck havoc with your body as well as your mind. We all must be vigilant! I am fortunate to still be alive and I am grateful for the advances they have made with this disease.