Intro and some questions on Enbrel

[Guest guest]

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,