Blue - I have concerns about this too as I am to start Enbrel injections as soon as it clears through the insurance company. As a former chemotherapy nurse, I have seen the effects of lymphoma and have given chemotherapy to patients battling this disease. Needless to say, I do not want it! But I had to calm myself down when I saw the warning in the Enbrel literature about possible development of Lymphoma .... in my 8 year stint giving chemotherapy, I never had a lymphoma patient who linked their lymphoma to Enbrel or RA.

Thing is..most or all of the biologics are the some with the warnings about lymphoma or increased cancer and infection risk. It was the same for me with Remicade. The side affects from all of them and the risk are all very closely related, so I picked the one that seemed the most convenient for me. My infusions are every 7 weeks and I am done. Been a life changer for me and I said when It helped me that much, that I would have no regrets. For me, it's about qaulity of life.
I can't bear the thought of living a longer life, if its just gonna be crippling pain along with what ever crippling damage my RA would bring.
I realize it's a big decsision and you have to be informed about it.
Good luck with with what ever you decide.
=)

I agree Texaschic. As I said I have been on Enbrel for a little over a year and would not want to go back from when I was firat Diagnosed. I couldn't walk, dress myself and was in pain all the time. The flares wrer killers too. I just read about Lymphoma from another persons thread and was just wondering how many more had maybe heard of someone that got Lymphoma from Enbrel. Also wanted to know how she was doing now. Her name was Maryan88.

I also would like to know how she is doing.

When I was first diagnosed with ra, it was about 6-7 years ago. I started on Enbrel right away. Plus, of course the mx and nsaids. I had to change to Humira as the Enbrel had become ineffective. I have been on the Humira for about a year. So far I have had no problems with lymphoma or any other problems. It does scare me to think of all the harm these treatments are doing to my body and I would LOVE to be able to find something else, possibly something natural. But I had to make a choice and it was a no brainer. If I didn't take these meds I wouldn't be sitting her typing this message. In fact I wonder if I would be here at all. So I pray everyday that I won't get the lymphoma, etc.

Thanks for this post! I just FINALLY got up the courage to give my Humira on Saturday, after having it in my fridge for a month. My family (parents, aunts, uncles, etc) are totally against it, due to the side effects. I'm scared as heck about the possibilities of Cancer, neurological problems, etc. I have little kids! 5yrs & less than 2yrs old! However, I've gained 15lbs and I'm not able to actively participate in some things because of the swelling & pain. I made the decision NOT to live like that, and take my chances. Doesn't mean I'm not scared! I am! I'd also like to find the "cure", or do some natural thing...but just haven't found anything YET! (still hopeful for someday!!) Thanks! Jen :)

http://arthritis.about.com/od/rheumatoidarthritis/a/lymphoma.htm

http://sciencedaily.healthology.com/arthritis/article3960.htm

http://www.arthritis.org/ra-ra-and-lymphoma.php

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15188349


http://www.lymphoma.ca/SITEFORUM?i=1271254319287&&e=UTF-8&l=0&t=/contentManager/selectCatalog&intro=1&active=no&comments=1&ParentID=1272550476956

http://64.114.94.33/kyn/en/sign_symptoms.htm

I have a weird swelling on my neck above my collarbone. Only on one side, not sore, but squishy, about 6 cm in size. Came up overnight on Saturday. Blood work normal 10 days ago but I've been sent for a chest xray and an ultrasound.

I've got to wait until next week to get results. Doctor thinks that a cyst is more likely - however the speed in which is showed up is weird!

I think there might be a biopsy in my future! What a drag!
Been on Enbrel for 1.5 years with Arava.

The chest x-ray and ultra sound were inconclusive. I had a contrast CT done this morning. I now have to wait a week for results.
They have put me at the top of the lists for these tests, so they are treating it seriously... like just incase it does turn out to be Lymphoma... they want to know sooner rather than later.

That's good I guess!

Just an update on the lump.

I still have it (goes up and down) but no-one has any idea what it is. The CT showed that it was ill-defined not like a tumor or cyst. So they've decided that is not likely cancer. But they still don't have any idea what it is. Its a large lump over 3 cm long when its inflamed. I went off my Enbrel for two weeks and did a course of antibiotics (with no effect). I've tried antihistamines and anti-inflamatories and nothing seems to affect it.

The first ENT I saw has now reffered me to the head ENT guy at Vancouver General to see if he has any ideas. If not then the Rhuemy said maybe a infectious disease specialist.

I have no other symptoms other than the lump that goes up and down for no apparent reason. No fever or rash or weird blood counts.

My GP is calling me an "Enigma"... oh great! Another thing I have that they have no idea what caused it! Just what a I need! Its not a big deal cuase is doesn't hurt... i'm just loosing sleep over the fact that I don't know what it is. They can't conclusively rule out something sinister.

Lynne I hope you find out soon what it is.
I wonder why they havn't went ahead and biopsied it?

Is it possible it's a rheumatoid nodule?
I had on on my forearm close to my elbow that sounds much like what you describe and they biopsied it, came back as a rheaumatoid nodule.
Keep us posted :)
Hugs,
Missy

Lynne

I also had a small lump on the side of my wrist, which turned out to be a RA Nodule. It went away for now, and only comes when I have alot of inflammation I hope that's what you have.

I meant that in a good way, of course

I've had nodules before... this is not a nodule. My Rhuemy has seen the lump... he can diagnose a nodule.

-its 3CM long which is over 1 inch long
-It goes up and down (more than1/2" in height, sometimes in less than 48 hours
-Its not painful... RA nodules are usually painfull when they first come up.
-Its right in the area of the supraclavicular (above the collar bone) lymph nodes.

I saw the other ENT guy in Vancouver and he doesn't have a clue either. It was a small lump on that day - not enlarged unfortunately.
He's sending me for an MRI and we'll both cross our fingers and hope its swollen that day so they can actually get an image of it.
He's inclinded to think its not serious...even though still wierd.

The only other thing he said it could be is a Lymphangioma but it was ill-differentiated on the CT unlike a cyst or tumor.
They decided not to do the needle biopsy as there was no diffinative area to stick the needle into and would likely result in an inconclusive result. If they can get a better image of what to biopsy with the MRI they may reconsider.

Unfortunately here in Canada you can easily wait 6 months for an MRI.

So that's My GP, My rhuemy, and Two ENT specialist that have seen me and we still don't know anymore than we did back in February. Glad I'm not footing the bill... I'd be pissed.

Thanks for your well wishes... I think they've pretty much ruled out Lymphoma... so that's good news.

Lynn
Can't they just take it out? My dermatologist has done this on small lumps and bumps, then sent it off for analysis. I know that's old school, but it's also cheaper and quicker. Just a thought.

Hope all goes well.

It doesn't have defined edges like a tumor or cyst... they wouldn't know where to cut. If it wasn't swollen on the day of the surgery they would have no idea what to cut out. Like I said... that's why they didn't needle biospy it.

They are hoping to get a better picture of the tissue with the MRI to see if there is something they can remove that will solve the swelling issue.