Enbrel - Just about to start.

Yvonne06
Yvonne06 Member Posts: 2
edited 8. Oct 2012, 07:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi I've just joined this forum. I'm about to start Enbrel after numerous other failures. I'm to take this alongside Methotrexate which by itself is not helping my symptoms. Has anyone been on this / taking it currently? I'd be interested to hear whether it has worked or not. I'm desperate now so I'm keeping my fingers and everything crossed (as best I can) that it will work. Yvonne06

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's nice to meet you. I've taken this in the past, alas it didn't do much but has worked well for others; I sincerely hope you will be in that group. I wish you the best of luck.. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yvonne,

    I've been on Enbrel for several months. Only take a half dose because I get so many infections but I think it is working pretty well. I still have pain and flares but, day to day, I can do more. I also take a low dose steroid because of the low dose Enbrel. Hope it works for you.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I haven't taken it, Yvonne06, but I hope it works well for you.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yvonne
    Sorry I cant offer any advice, but I can offer my support and wish you well with the Enbrel...please let us know how you get on xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • dillydream
    dillydream Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yvonne,
    I am into my second month of Embrel, but i am having to do two 25mg injections per week because of my sensitivities to so many meds.
    I posted recently on here that i had experienced a really good outcome the same evening that i had the first dose.
    I am not getting the relentless pain in my hands, feet and lower spine now and the awful fatigue that is part of my PsA has subsided.
    I still have pain in my fingers when trying to wring out the flannel lol and pain in my neck and shoulder from Osteo Arthritis.I wear a Butrans patch to help with this.
    So far, for me, it`s been a positive result, but i am very aware that it`s still early days.
    The only side effect i`ve noticed has been irritation around the injection site, which has settled down now.
    I hope you get on well with it,
    Best Wishes
    Dilly
  • justinbarrow
    justinbarrow Member Posts: 338
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am taking embrel and it has helped more than the tablets i was on. Like already said the main side effects are rash at the injection site and you can become prone to more infections. If you are taking embrel its advised you have the annual flu jab because embrel reduces your immune system.

    Overall the benefits are out way the negatives.
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yvonne

    I haven't had Enbrel but I really hope it works as well for you as Infliximab and Humira did for me.

    Thinking of you.

    Tilly xxx
  • Nixxy
    Nixxy Member Posts: 23
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yvonne,

    Welcome to the forum, I haven't been on here in ages and came on to see what people were saying about Enbrel.

    I am about 6 months into using Enbrel (50mg weekly pre-filled pen) and it has changed my life. It is controlling my symptoms well and allowed me to wind down from 40mg steroids daily which was the only thing that could get me mobile. I still have some tenderness but have noticed dramatic improvement.

    What I will say, and what I wanted to talk about on here, is that the jabs hurt a lot more than I had anticipated but they are still easy to self-inject and the effects are so worth it, for me anyway.

    I'd be happy to chat with you when you start taking it.

    Good luck and hope it makes a postive difference to you.

    N
    There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.
    Orison Swett Marden
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Nixxy, the prefilled pen is very painful! Because I had bad reaction at injection site and am on half dose I use regular syringes which don't hurt at all.
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yvonne

    Welcome to the forum sorry I can't help you, good luck with the meds keep us posted how you are doing..........tc.............Marie xx
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Yvonne

    Welcome to the forum sorry I can't help you, good luck with the meds keep us posted how you are doing..........tc.............Marie xx
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • tyreon
    tyreon Member Posts: 15
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi.I have been on Enbrel for some 3 years. I found it very effective.My ESR fell from over 100 down to 20. Other indicators also fell away.I was pleased I didn't have to rely on Naproxen,was worried what it was doing to my stomach! Of course there's no guarantee it will work well for you,but I think from talking to staff and rheumatologists it goes well for most people. I think it's almost revolutionary. I have now gone over to Simponi,another anti-TNF medication. Altho I swore by Enbrel(and still do),I had to take it 1/52 and there were problems with carrying it when on vacation. With Simponi I only have to inject myself 1/12. Right now,I don't find Simponi as effective as Enbrel,but I want to give it a good chance.What I am looking for is a medication I can self administer that doesn't have to be kept in a fridge at set temperature. I like to travel independently,not knowing where I am staying: having to keep a drug cool when I am in hot countries is an incovenience. I am also looking for effective medication that will enable me to travel where I like for some 3/4 months.
    I don't think you're offered this drug(Enbrel)without good review. Other drugs must have failed you,or your condition is...more than other drugs could resolve/control. I don't know your medical history. I have heard tell that if your arthritis is caught early,diagnosed correctly,through early interventions,your arthritis might go into remission...even permanently. Howsoever,I'm no doc and your doctor/rheumatologist would know you,your medical background,whats best.

    I don't think you'll look back once on Enbrel.I wish you well.Of course,you will not want to be on any medication,but,hey!,you'd be worst without it.
  • debsmartin
    debsmartin Member Posts: 209
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello
    I've been on methotrexate and enbrel for over a year now and this combination has really changed my life, we even managed a 4 mile walk the other weekend which was something I though I'd never be able to do again. I agree the injections can be painful but my nurse told me to use an ice cube on the area before your use the swab and this has really helped me.

    Good luck and I hope it works as well for you

    debs

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