Enbrel drug interactions?

c4thyg
c4thyg Member Posts: 542
edited 22. Aug 2009, 03:30 in Living with Arthritis archive
I've copied this from the 'chat to our helpline' section. I apologise about this but I really need some answers and hoped that more people would see it this way.
I'm not sure if anyone here can answer this for me but it's worth a shot.

I have a blood condition (ITP) where my blood clotting cells (platelets) are destroyed by my immune system. Last week my platelet count crashed and I had to have an emergency transfusion of IVIG (immunoglobulin) to bring them back up. The first day went well but I woke up with the most horrific headache and couldn't stop vomiting. I also had a low grade fever. All this is consistent with aseptic meningitis which is common with this treatment in patients who suffer migraines. However, what happened next isn't a known side effect and I'm worried that Enbrel interacting with the IG caused it.

I lost all the feeling down my left side and my face dropped. I couldn't talk for a few minutes and had bad chest pains. I thought I was having a haemorrhagic stroke. Everything came back after about 15 minutes of having oxygen. I was told that it probably wasn't a stroke but no other reason was given even though I asked several Drs.

My dilemma now is do I take my next shot of Enbrel? The haematologists wouldn't say anything and told me to speak to the rheumatologist. They wouldn't get involved. My rheumatologist is annoyed by this and is now trying to find out from the haem dept what happened. Has this happened to anyone else on the anti-TNF treatments? Are they known to have interactions with other drugs?

I haven't taken today's injection because I'm afraid to. I thought I might die on the weekend and now I can't get any useful advice. I realise that this is a long shot but there are a lot more people here who are taking enbrel or humira then any other place that I know of. If anyone has experienced any loss of sensation with Enbrel please let me know. As painful as arthritis is, it won't kill me whereas my blood disorder could if not treated.
Thanks, Cathy

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,341
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Cathy,
    I have no useful; experience sorry, but I just wondered if you are ok and if you have taken the enbrel?
    Hope all is ok with you - this sounds so scary
    Toni x
  • c4thyg
    c4thyg Member Posts: 542
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I'm actually encouraged that no one has had this on enbrel. I took it about 3 hours ago. I waited for my hubby to get home so if I did have a reaction he has instructions to ring 999 and what to tell them. So far so good I'm pleased to say.

    My rheumy seems to think that it's fine to keep taking and agrees that having someone around just in case is a good idea. The drugs are fairly new so many side effects/adverse reactions aren't yet known.

    The other good news is that I'm going for a CT scan on Wednesday to see if there was a bleed. I thought I'd have to wait for weeks but it seems that it is being taken seriously. It's more likely that the IVIG treatment was what caused it so I don't want to worry anyone here. It's just an odd combination that I doubt many people are on.

    As for how I feel now, much better. All I have now is a dull headache and a little photo sensitivity. Shame on such a nice day!! Oh and my blood count has gone through the roof so the treatment did work really well even though I only had half of it.

    Thanks guys for your kind words. Cathy
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,341
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Cathy
    Oh that is good news! annd it's worked too :)
    :)
    You sound to be quiite unique so I don't think anyone else will have your problems.
    Good luck for the CT scan - hopefully it will give you some reassurance.
    Take care
    Toni x

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