Re: Intro and some questions on Enbrel

[Guest guest]

Hi, ! I hae been on Enbrel for over two years. I still work full

time. I am a school secretary and type/keyboard all day. Enbrel is

o.k. and the only side effect I have is the black and blue marks where

ever I inject. Do it myself, twice a week. Not a big deal. gentle

hugs! Marcia in western New York State

--- monkeysand2dogs <sibhusky2002@...> wrote:

> Hi there,

> My name is , I am 35 years old. I was diagnosed with RA about 3

>

> years ago, but I know I've had the symptoms for years before my

> diagnosis.

> I was put on Celebrex 1st. That didn't do anything, so my Rheumy at

> the time put me on Pred. and Methotrexate (which really effected my

> immune system) my RA felt better, but I kept getting really sick, and

>

> gained 20 lbs, so I went off the pred, as soon as I did, I was in

> pain again, so I also went off the Methotrexate and got a new Rheumy.

> I've had this same Rheumy for 2 1/2 years now. He put me on

> Plaquenil and Difunisal, it has worked for me, until this September.

> I had a really bad flare up. so, we decided to stop the NSAID and

> add Sulfazine. Well, I had been on it for almost 2 weeks, and found

> out I am allergic, because I have broken out completely in hives.

> This just happened this weekend. I spoke to my rheumy yesterday, and

>

> he said next week, we will talk about what action to taken next.

> Here are my options:

> 1.Try Methotrexate again, which I absolutley refuse to do, I had such

>

> a hard time on it before, I have young children and if I am sick all

> of the time, i can't care for them.

> 2.He said we can talk about Enbrel. I looked it up on line, but

> could only find out the basics. Is it as bad as Methotrexate?

> Anyone who is on it, or has been on it, can you tell me how you felt

> on it? Any side effects? Just anything.

> Or are there any other options?

> thanks so much,

>

>

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

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[Guest guest]

Hi , My name is Clara. I was diagnosed in 2000 and have been on Methotrexate since then with Prednisone. Your doctor may want to simply adjust the amount of Methotrexate you were taking, this could possibly assist with not "suppressing" your immune system too much to where you contract so many colds, etc. I trust you get the flu shot and have had a pneumonia shot, also? I took Remicade infusions for about two and a half years. It helped me, but I started having vasculitis and ocular migraines and we needed to switch. I switched to Enbrel, it, unfortunately, didn't seem to assist me very well. I have now been on Humira injections (weekly) for a little over a year with the Methotrexate (20 mg a week) and Prednisone, plus Minocycline, Tramadol, Diclofenac and Folic Acid tablets. I often take Tylenol Arthritis strength, also. Good luck, Claramonkeysand2dogs <sibhusky2002@...> wrote: Hi there,My name is , I am 35 years old. I was diagnosed with RA about 3 years ago, but I know I've had the symptoms for years before my diagnosis.I was put on Celebrex 1st. That didn't do anything, so my Rheumy at the time put me on Pred. and Methotrexate (which really effected my immune system) my RA felt better, but I kept getting really sick, and gained 20 lbs, so I went off the pred, as soon as I did, I was in pain again, so I

also went off the Methotrexate and got a new Rheumy.I've had this same Rheumy for 2 1/2 years now. He put me on Plaquenil and Difunisal, it has worked for me, until this September. I had a really bad flare up. so, we decided to stop the NSAID and add Sulfazine. Well, I had been on it for almost 2 weeks, and found out I am allergic, because I have broken out completely in hives. This just happened this weekend. I spoke to my rheumy yesterday, and he said next week, we will talk about what action to taken next.Here are my options:1.Try Methotrexate again, which I absolutley refuse to do, I had such a hard time on it before, I have young children and if I am sick all of the time, i can't care for them.2.He said we can talk about Enbrel. I looked it up on line, but could only find out the basics. Is it as bad as Methotrexate? Anyone who is on it, or has been on it, can you tell me how you felt on it? Any side effects?

Just anything. Or are there any other options?thanks so much,

Access over 1 million songs - Music Unlimited.

[Guest guest]

- Research Cyclosporine. It worked for my RA for five years straight. Then I switched to Remicade which is an infusion once every 8 weeks. I have bulked up on a super multivitamin and supplements to help my immune system. I take MTX only 5 mgs total sunday nights and it wipes me out the next day. I take the entire day off because I sleep through 12-14 hours worth. I take leucovorin which helps. I would seriously consider Cyclosporine and remicade. I literally cant get near anyone with a cold or walk backwards literally when someone sneezes out of habit. MTX is a rough drug for most people period. Good Luck, Deborah

On 11/7/06, monkeysand2dogs <sibhusky2002@...> wrote:

Hi there,My name is , I am 35 years old. I was diagnosed with RA about 3 years ago, but I know I've had the symptoms for years before my diagnosis.I was put on Celebrex 1st. That didn't do anything, so my Rheumy at the time put me on Pred. and Methotrexate (which really effected my immune system) my RA felt better, but I kept getting really sick, and gained 20 lbs, so I went off the pred, as soon as I did, I was in pain again, so I also went off the Methotrexate and got a new Rheumy.

I've had this same Rheumy for 2 1/2 years now. He put me on Plaquenil and Difunisal, it has worked for me, until this September. I had a really bad flare up. so, we decided to stop the NSAID and add Sulfazine. Well, I had been on it for almost 2 weeks, and found out I am allergic, because I have broken out completely in hives. This just happened this weekend. I spoke to my rheumy yesterday, and he said next week, we will talk about what action to taken next.Here are my options:

1.Try Methotrexate again, which I absolutley refuse to do, I had such a hard time on it before, I have young children and if I am sick all of the time, i can't care for them.2.He said we can talk about Enbrel. I looked it up on line, but could only find out the basics. Is it as bad as Methotrexate? Anyone who is on it, or has been on it, can you tell me how you felt on it? Any side effects? Just anything. Or are there any other options?

thanks so much,

[Guest guest]

I don’t understand all of the

treatments that you have tried. I can understand the switch from Celebrex

to Prednisone and Methotrexate but that should have also included daily Folic Acid

and/or weekly Leucovorin to reduce the side effects of Methotrexate. Then

if side effects were still a problem a switch to injections of Methotrexate

would further reduce the side effects. The weight gain was probably due

to Prednisone. I don’t understand why the second rheumatologist

didn’t try hard to get you back on Methotrexate with one or both of the

changes I mentioned above. Other than that I don’t see any problems

with his treatment. Enbrel is usually about as effective as Methotrexate

and has fewer and milder side effects. The principal problem with it is

the cost and that many insurances will not pay for it unless you have tried

several other medications and proved them to be unsatisfactory. Sometimes

the patient, doctor, and insurance companies have different opinions of what it

takes to prove a treatment to be unsatisfactory.

I’m on Methotrexate and Remicade

with very good effects. Remicade is similar to Enbrel but is given IV

rather than by injection. I hope you find something to help with your

problems. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of monkeysand2dogs

Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006

12:35 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

Intro and some questions on Enbrel

Hi there,

My name is , I am 35 years old. I was diagnosed with RA about 3

years ago, but I know I've had the symptoms for years before my

diagnosis.

I was put on Celebrex 1st. That didn't do anything, so my Rheumy at

the time put me on Pred. and Methotrexate (which really effected my

immune system) my RA felt better, but I kept getting really sick, and

gained 20 lbs, so I went off the pred, as soon as I did, I was in

pain again, so I also went off the Methotrexate and got a new Rheumy.

I've had this same Rheumy for 2 1/2 years now. He put me on

Plaquenil and Difunisal, it has worked for me, until this September.

I had a really bad flare up. so, we decided to stop the NSAID and

add Sulfazine. Well, I had been on it for almost 2 weeks, and found

out I am allergic, because I have broken out completely in hives.

This just happened this weekend. I spoke to my rheumy yesterday, and

he said next week, we will talk about what action to taken next.

Here are my options:

1.Try Methotrexate again, which I absolutley refuse to do, I had such

a hard time on it before, I have young children and if I am sick all

of the time, i can't care for them.

2.He said we can talk about Enbrel. I looked it up on line, but

could only find out the basics. Is it as bad as Methotrexate?

Anyone who is on it, or has been on it, can you tell me how you felt

on it? Any side effects? Just anything.

Or are there any other options?

thanks so much,

[Guest guest]

Hi Harold,

I was insistant to get off the Methotrexate, since I was a new Mom

and am trying to have more children. I also did take Folic Acid with

the Methotrexate.

My Rheumy ended up prescribing me Humira, almost 2 weeks ago. I

started my injections that day. I was really surprise, within 2

days, I started feeling like my old self again, with energy and

without pain. My insurance does cover it, and boy am I thankful for

that!

thanks,

>

> I don't understand all of the treatments that you have tried. I can

> understand the switch from Celebrex to Prednisone and Methotrexate

but that

> should have also included daily Folic Acid and/or weekly Leucovorin

to

> reduce the side effects of Methotrexate. Then if side effects were

still a

> problem a switch to injections of Methotrexate would further reduce

the side

> effects. The weight gain was probably due to Prednisone. I don't

> understand why the second rheumatologist didn't try hard to get you

back on

> Methotrexate with one or both of the changes I mentioned above.

Other than

> that I don't see any problems with his treatment. Enbrel is

usually about

> as effective as Methotrexate and has fewer and milder side

effects. The

> principal problem with it is the cost and that many insurances will

not pay

> for it unless you have tried several other medications and proved

them to be

> unsatisfactory. Sometimes the patient, doctor, and insurance

companies have

> different opinions of what it takes to prove a treatment to be

> unsatisfactory.

>

>

>

> I'm on Methotrexate and Remicade with very good effects. Remicade

is

> similar to Enbrel but is given IV rather than by injection. I hope

you find

> something to help with your problems. God bless.

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

> [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of

monkeysand2dogs

> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 12:35 PM

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Subject: Intro and some questions on Enbrel

>

>

>

> Hi there,

> My name is , I am 35 years old. I was diagnosed with RA about

3

> years ago, but I know I've had the symptoms for years before my

> diagnosis.

> I was put on Celebrex 1st. That didn't do anything, so my Rheumy at

> the time put me on Pred. and Methotrexate (which really effected my

> immune system) my RA felt better, but I kept getting really sick,

and

> gained 20 lbs, so I went off the pred, as soon as I did, I was in

> pain again, so I also went off the Methotrexate and got a new

Rheumy.

> I've had this same Rheumy for 2 1/2 years now. He put me on

> Plaquenil and Difunisal, it has worked for me, until this

September.

> I had a really bad flare up. so, we decided to stop the NSAID and

> add Sulfazine. Well, I had been on it for almost 2 weeks, and found

> out I am allergic, because I have broken out completely in hives.

> This just happened this weekend. I spoke to my rheumy yesterday,

and

> he said next week, we will talk about what action to taken next.

> Here are my options:

> 1.Try Methotrexate again, which I absolutley refuse to do, I had

such

> a hard time on it before, I have young children and if I am sick

all

> of the time, i can't care for them.

> 2.He said we can talk about Enbrel. I looked it up on line, but

> could only find out the basics. Is it as bad as Methotrexate?

> Anyone who is on it, or has been on it, can you tell me how you

felt

> on it? Any side effects? Just anything.

> Or are there any other options?

> thanks so much,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I’m glad to hear that you are

getting better treatment than I had feared. I certainly understand why

you got off Methotrexate and I’m glad the Humira is working for

you. God bless.

From:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

[mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On

Behalf Of monkeysand2dogs

Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006

4:11 AM

To:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

Re: Intro and some questions on Enbrel

Hi Harold,

I was insistant to get off the Methotrexate, since I was a new Mom

and am trying to have more children. I also did take Folic Acid with

the Methotrexate.

My Rheumy ended up prescribing me Humira, almost 2 weeks ago. I

started my injections that day. I was really surprise, within 2

days, I started feeling like my old self again, with energy and

without pain. My insurance does cover it, and boy am I thankful for

that!

thanks,

>

> I don't understand all of the treatments that you have tried. I can

> understand the switch from Celebrex to Prednisone and Methotrexate

but that

> should have also included daily Folic Acid and/or weekly Leucovorin

to

> reduce the side effects of Methotrexate. Then if side effects were

still a

> problem a switch to injections of Methotrexate would further reduce

the side

> effects. The weight gain was probably due to Prednisone. I don't

> understand why the second rheumatologist didn't try hard to get you

back on

> Methotrexate with one or both of the changes I mentioned above.

Other than

> that I don't see any problems with his treatment. Enbrel is

usually about

> as effective as Methotrexate and has fewer and milder side

effects. The

> principal problem with it is the cost and that many insurances will

not pay

> for it unless you have tried several other medications and proved

them to be

> unsatisfactory. Sometimes the patient, doctor, and insurance

companies have

> different opinions of what it takes to prove a treatment to be

> unsatisfactory.

>

>

>

> I'm on Methotrexate and Remicade with very good effects. Remicade

is

> similar to Enbrel but is given IV rather than by injection. I hope

you find

> something to help with your problems. God bless.

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

> [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ]

On Behalf Of

monkeysand2dogs

> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 12:35 PM

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Subject: Intro and some questions on Enbrel

>

>

>

> Hi there,

> My name is , I am 35 years old. I was diagnosed with RA about

3

> years ago, but I know I've had the symptoms for years before my

> diagnosis.

> I was put on Celebrex 1st. That didn't do anything, so my Rheumy at

> the time put me on Pred. and Methotrexate (which really effected my

> immune system) my RA felt better, but I kept getting really sick,

and

> gained 20 lbs, so I went off the pred, as soon as I did, I was in

> pain again, so I also went off the Methotrexate and got a new

Rheumy.

> I've had this same Rheumy for 2 1/2 years now. He put me on

> Plaquenil and Difunisal, it has worked for me, until this

September.

> I had a really bad flare up. so, we decided to stop the NSAID and

> add Sulfazine. Well, I had been on it for almost 2 weeks, and found

> out I am allergic, because I have broken out completely in hives.

> This just happened this weekend. I spoke to my rheumy yesterday,

and

> he said next week, we will talk about what action to taken next.

> Here are my options:

> 1.Try Methotrexate again, which I absolutley refuse to do, I had

such

> a hard time on it before, I have young children and if I am sick

all

> of the time, i can't care for them.

> 2.He said we can talk about Enbrel. I looked it up on line, but

> could only find out the basics. Is it as bad as Methotrexate?

> Anyone who is on it, or has been on it, can you tell me how you

felt

> on it? Any side effects? Just anything.

> Or are there any other options?

> thanks so much,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Marcia for the info. When I went back to my Rhuemy about a

month ago now, he prescibed me with Humira, which was different than

he suggested at first???! 2 doses in and so far so good (every other

week)!!