Jacque, I have increased shortness of breath when flaring, often. I also have interstitial lung disease, emphysema/bronchiectasis (though I never smoked)--all from lupus, so I have some daily shortness of breath with exertion. Stairs and inclines are when it's most noticeable.

You may want to talk with your doctor about a chest x-ray, lung function tests, and Echocardiogram, if you're not yet certain what's causing your issue.

I’ve experienced shortness of breath and angina this year. It has seriously curtailed daily activities. In April it became constant but now mostly with exertion; the angina especially on walks.
An ECHO showed some changes to my heart I am still investigating. Lung tests showed scattered sub segmental bilateral atelectasis, no scarring. I’m told it is not the cause of the shortness of breath. I did find a good pulmonologist I really like. As I have Sjogren’s I will follow up with pulmonologist at least yearly.

Thanks everyone for your help and for the information. My rheumatologist took lots of blood for testing last week. If it doesn't show anything I will make arrangements to see a pulmonologist. The way it sounds it won't get much better on its own.

I don't smoke anymore but i burn allot of incenses and sage 🌿

I have constant shortness of breath. I have no ease. One doctor said I was anemic so I had 2 iron I fusions. They haven't helped. Just Lupus! I've had dry mouth so bad, I'm losing all my teeth. I might be 74 but I never planned on dentures. At least not this soon.