Does anyone know what wegeners vasculitis?

My doctor confirmed today that I had this illness. He has me on steriods and Methotrexate. What side effects will I have with this medication. I had a cat scan done and I have sinus disease. I have to get a biopsy of the sinuses. I am really scared and I just hope I could fight this off. All I keep hearing in my head is my doctor saying it could be fatal. Also my vision is going. Can it be a side effect of the Steriod, or is it the illness?

Sorry what it is.

Wegener's granulomatosis - This is autoimmune Disease
Drugs Use for treatment are Immunosuppressant


Wegener's granulomatosis is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation in blood vessels (vasculitis), which restricts blood flow to various organs. Although the disease may involve any organ, most commonly it affects your kidneys, lungs and upper respiratory tract, including your sinuses, your nose and your windpipe (trachea). The restricted blood flow to these organs can damage them.
Wegener's granulomatosis(WG) is a necrotizing granulomatous angiitis affecting small and medium-size arteries and veins. The three major areas of involvement are the upper respiratory tract, the lung parenchyma, and the kidneys. Men and women are affected equally. Before the advent of modern therapy, systemic WG was uniformly fatal, with a 12-month survival rate of only 18%. With the introduction of cyclophosphamide, remissions and long-term survival became possible. Some patients have a limited form of the disease that responds to less toxic therapies, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or methotrexate.

Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to treat the early signs and symptoms of Wegener's granulomatosis. For some people, a corticosteroid may be enough. However, most people require another immunosuppressive drug, such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), azathioprine (Imuran) or methotrexate (Rheumatrex), to reduce the body's immune reaction.
Cyclophosphamide is the mainstay of treatment of severe WG and significantly increases survival. Systemic corticosteroids can temporarily ameliorate the inflammatory manifestations of the disease and are often used as initial therapy until the patient responds to the slower acting cyclophosphamide. Because of the toxicity of long-term oral cyclophosphamide, there is considerable interest in regimens with fewer complications.

Over 90% of WG patients respond to therapy, with 5-year survival rates greater than 80%. Unfortunately, relapses are common when treatment is discontinued, and 75% of patients have persistent morbidity, including chronic renal failure, nasal deformities, tracheal stenosis, chronic sinusitis, and hearing loss. In addition, many patients suffer significant morbidity related to chronic immunosuppressive therapy.


Methotrexate.
Blurred vision because of Methotrexate. It affect your eyesight. Tell your doctor about any eye pain or vision changes.
other side effect
Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
Hair loss
Sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
Skin changes
Changes to lung tissue Tell your doctor if you notice any coughing or breathlessness.


Steroid side effect
Irritation of the stomach lining
The levels of sugar in your blood may change temporarily
Fluid retention due to a changed salt and water balance
Increased appetite
Increased chance of infection and delayed healing of injuries
Menstrual changes
Behavioural change

Thank you very much. Your answer explained it all. Report It

Damm Beans, sounds like it could suck to be you! Dont know what it is but wish you the best of luck.