Enbrel

Bethliz
Bethliz Member Posts: 44
edited 14. Aug 2013, 14:01 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

Can anyone share their experiences of Enbrel? My daughter is going to start weekly injections on this drug in about 6 weeks time.

Bethliz

Comments

  • As5567
    As5567 Member Posts: 665
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Worked great for me at the time, no side effects. I hope it works good for your daughter!
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ooooh, that sounds positive, Bethliz. I hope your little one has a similar result.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bethliz,

    I started Enbrel in 2006. A nurse from the healthcare company Healthcare At Home came to my flat to show me how to self-inject and I found it pretty easy. Back then, you had to mix the powder with the water, but at some point (sorry, I can't remember the exact date :oops:) they started supplying it 'readymade' instead and as far as I'm aware that's how they still do it.

    I was given the option of injecting my upper legs, upper arms, or tummy. I chose my legs because this seemed the least scary. The nurse was quite strict about where exactly to inject, but once I got the hang of it, there were no problems.

    The standard dose of Enbrel (50mg weekly) gave me no side effects whatsoever and I felt comfortable taking it. I had regular blood tests, every fortnight for the first month of treatment, then once per month afterwards. Also, I saw the nurse at the hospital for assessments, which involved examining my joints and filling in forms about managing household tasks such as lifting a bag of potatoes from a high shelf and cutting up a plate of meat. Unfortunately Enbrel didn't help my joints as much as my then consultant thought it ought to, so I was moved onto other anti-TNFs.

    I hope it works well for your daughter :)

    Best wishes,
    Phee
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)

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