Radiation Pneumonitis

I had radiation therapy 15 years ago but just in the last 6 months have started taking enbrel for rheumotoid arthritis.  I had the arthritis before the brest cancer but have had to take stronger medications as I have gotten older.  I have been experiencing the symptoms of radiation pneumonitis and treated with prednisone.  Dr.'s look at you a little odd when asked if the enbrel is related to  the pneumonitis.  This is my second bout of the pneumonitis, the first was when I started taking Humira, which is another self inject drug for rheumotoid arthritis.  Has anyone on rheumotoid arthritis drugs had an experience like this?  Thanks for input!
Sandi

[bluebutterfly2222]

I don't see why  a doctor would consider your question at all strange...

Embrel (and other medications of that class) "may decrease your ability to fight infection and increase the risk that you will get a serious infection, including severe viral, bacterial, or fungal infections that spread throughout the body. These infections may need to be treated in a hospital and may cause death. Tell your doctor if you often get any type of infection or if you think you may have any type of infection now. This includes minor infections (such as open cuts or sores), infections that come and go (such as cold sores) and chronic infections that do not go away. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) , acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any other condition that affects your immune system."

You and your doctor may have to do a cost/benefit analysis of using this type of medication for your rheumatoid arthritis, given your history of flare-ups of radiation pneumonitis while taking thwm.

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly