Re: Enebrel

[Guest guest]

My daughter Amy has been on Enbrel now for a year with wonderful

results. She was diagnosed with systemic JRA three years ago. Two

flares and all the meds that she was taking did not cut down the

active inflammation, etc. After taking Enbrel she has had no

inflammation and is doing wonderfully.

Amy had physical and occupational therapy for two years until taking

Enbrel, they discharged her because she was doing so well. She was

able to get off of he prednisone too.

She also runs anemic, she takes folic acid for that, it just comes

with JRA.

Currently my daughter takes two Enbrel shots a week, one methotrexate

shot a week, folic acic every day except the metho shot day, naprosyn

and a multi vitamin with iron.

> Hello,

>

> My name is Therese and I am the aunt of 8 year old who was

> diagnosed with jra last year although she's probably had jra for

the

> last three years.

>

> The drs want to be aggressive with medication and put Sam on

> methotrexate and naprosyn and folic acid. Recently she has been

> having stomach trouble so she was taken off the naprosyn and so far

> Sam is doing fine without it.

>

> The drs want to put Sam on Enebrel next but her mom is afraid of

the

> fatal side effects. Is anyone taking Enebrel? If so, what effects

are

> you having with it?

>

> Sam is also anemic. What are the best foods to eat for iron, other

> than red meat?

>

> Thanks for your help.

[Guest guest]

Therese,

What type of JRA does have? Enbrel seems to work for

Polyarticular JRA better then Systemic, for example. There is some

information out there on the side effects, read the Enbrel web site and

look for the articles on Enbrel and infections. My son is not having

any side effects from the Enbrel, but we never inject him if he has

any sign of infection. Jana

[Guest guest]

Hi Therese:

I am no medical expert -but - the naprosyn is an anti-inflammatory, which

helps to reduce the inflammation in the blood, which is directly related to

anemia. Before my daughter was diagnosed, she had a year of high fevers, due

the the inflammation, and was terribly anemic. JRA is a two (or more) part

disease and the different drugs treat the different manifestations of it. If

the naprosyn is affecting her stomach (it affected Mickey that way too)

there are other anti-inflammatories that might help. What I'm trying to say

is the anti-inflammatory may be important for helping the anemia.

You don't say who decided there was no reaction to taking her off of it, the

family or the doctor. Methotrexate can also be hard on the stomach if taken

orally. My daughter takes cytotec with her indomethacin (an

anti-inflammatory) to protect her stomach.

There has been much discussion on Enbrel lately because I had also asked for

the experiences of people here as we are considering it for Mickey. Some of

the stuff is pretty scary, but some people have had miraculously wonderful

results. There is some detailed information at the enbrel site

www.enbrel.com - its worth checking out.

As near as I can figure, Enbrel isn't likely to be as helpful with systemic

onset jra kids, but some do get a good response. For me, my concern is

getting Mickey off the prednisone. She has been on it for nearly 4 years,

usually at higher doses and is very nearly the same size now (ie, no growth

at all in all this time) as she was before diagnosed. Not to mention a host

of other nasty side effects, and potential for long term troubles. I

understand the Enbrel does not have a growth retarding side effect, and less

other side effects, too, hence my interest in it. Good luck. Talk to Sam's

doctors, ask lots of questions. Most jra docs are very helpful and willing

to answer all your questions.

Lynn

Enebrel

Hello,

My name is Therese and I am the aunt of 8 year old who was

diagnosed with jra last year although she's probably had jra for the

last three years.

The drs want to be aggressive with medication and put Sam on

methotrexate and naprosyn and folic acid. Recently she has been

having stomach trouble so she was taken off the naprosyn and so far

Sam is doing fine without it.

The drs want to put Sam on Enebrel next but her mom is afraid of the

fatal side effects. Is anyone taking Enebrel? If so, what effects are

you having with it?

Sam is also anemic. What are the best foods to eat for iron, other

than red meat?

Thanks for your help.

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