Enbrel

[Guest guest]

June,

Not to enbrel but it does keep the less severe pains under control. Never

realized how much it worked till I had to stop it for a few weeks around

surgeries. The knee still hurt until the hip was done and now they are both

great. The only really bad thing is my shoulder and hoping trigger point

injection can help that. Also I have asthma and gasp whenever I try to do

much. Need a new pulmonary doctor.

Temple

3 Fox Haven Way

Chelmsford, MA 01824

dat2352@...

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html FAMILY

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersdairygoats/index.html FARM

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html CRAFTS

[Guest guest]

I got a letter in the mail saying that the Enbrel shortage is under control.

It said there was no guarantee of delivery, but that they expected the

problems to be minimal. Yippee!!!!

a

[Guest guest]

Hi Keri,

Being an Enbrel user, I find that extremely interesting. It does make

a certain amount of sense and am curious to see if if there is any

research in that regard. I'll bring it up to my Rheumy when I see her

on Thursday.

I don't know if it will matter much for me becuase I am pretty lean,

6'3, 175, but it would be wonderful if others experienced results

similar to the fellow you mention below.

Hope things are going well with you.

All my best,

Al in IL

> Hi all! I'm fairly new here, for those that I have not corresponded

> with I have a spouse with RA (in denial) and I came to this group

for

> support for myself.

> I recently had an appt. w/my Dr. (which is also my spouses Dr.) and

> was talking to her about how my husband was doing on his Enbrel.

She

> continued to tell me about another patient that had severe RA and

was

> in the hospital for awhile. While he was in there trying several

> things his Enbrel was stock piling back at home. She got the idea

> finally to give him an extra dose of Enbrel a week (three times

> instead of two). He was a large man and thought maybe his body

needed

> more. Within a month he noticed huge a difference. He recently had

to

> come in and see her because he hurt his knee dancing!!! Before he

> went into the hospital he wasn't even walking. So she tried the

same

> thing on another patient and got the same results as she did with

the

> other one. They are now writing to the makers of Enbrel to find out

> if they ever did a study involving weight vs. dosage.

> Now, I realize that something like this takes careful

considerations

> between yourself and your Rheumy but it may be worth a try if your

> not seeing the results you need!

> I hope this helps and not hurts!

> Good Luck to all!

> Keri

[Guest guest]

Keri:

Weight and dosage adjustments makes a lot of sense -

doctors do weight/dosage on a lot of other

medications, why not Embrel?

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I have not posted since I joined a few months ago, but I have been reading

messages posted. I have been taking methotrexate along with celebrex and

ultracet. None of whic has made a gret difference to how I feel, the pain or

inflammation. Now my doctor wants me to start on enbrel in addition to what I

am already taking. My husband is very concerned about the possible side affects

of enbrel, and he says that the treatment may be worse than the disease in this

case. I am also worried about the possible side affects and have done a lot of

research online and reading about enbrel. At this point I am ready to just

accept the pain and disability in order to not allow myself to be subject to

even worse than I already have, ie. , cancer, stroke, heart problems, kidney

problems, etc.

What am I supposed to do, I am so very confused.

Schweigert from Rochester, NY

[Guest guest]

,

I have been on Enbrel since shortly after it was approved in 1998. Before

that no meds helped me. RA completely eroded my knees and ankles leaving me

close to being in a wheelchair permanently. Once in the wheelchair

permanently, there are a whole host of other health problems to deal with,

so the last thing I wanted was to be in one.

I was very afraid of Enbrel. It was not only a new drug, it was an entirely

new classification of drugs (biological response modifier) with no long term

side effects known. But I was more afraid of the wheelchair. I¹m glad I

made the choice that I did. 58% of people taking Enbrel have had no further

joint destruction after 3 years on Enbrel.

I¹m not sure where you are reading about all the negative side effects, but

cancer risks elevated in less than 1% of people, so it¹s considered a very

rare side effect. Heart problems occur in those that already have

congestive heart failure and should not be taken by anyone that has this

condition. I am not aware of any kidney problems linked to enbrel. If you

have a link to a site that says there are risks, please send me the link.

Infection is one of the major problems with Enbrel. It is important to stop

taking Enbrel if you have active infection to minimize any problems.

Every drug you take has adverse reactions, but most of the time serious

reactions are rare. Even common aspirin and acetaminophen can have serious

side effects. You are doing the right thing by reading all that you can and

educating yourself so you know what to expect. I have to caution you that

there are many alternative websites out there that put fear in the readers

about meds and then offer alternatives in the way of supplements. For many

years early in my disease, I chose to go completely alternative and feel

that the damage I have, may have been reduced if I took the meds. Now I

combine traditional and alternative.

The bottom line is that it¹s your body and no one can make you put anything

into it that you don¹t want. I don¹t know how severe your disease is or how

much joint damage you¹ve got. I only wish Enbrel was available early in my

disease. I¹ve already had 2 knee replacements and am sure to have more

joints replaced in the future.

I¹m really sorry that you are faced with such choices. I know it is

confusing and very scary.

a

> I have not posted since I joined a few months ago, but I have been reading

> messages posted. I have been taking methotrexate along with celebrex and

> ultracet. None of whic has made a gret difference to how I feel, the pain or

> inflammation. Now my doctor wants me to start on enbrel in addition to what I

> am already taking. My husband is very concerned about the possible side

> affects of enbrel, and he says that the treatment may be worse than the

> disease in this case. I am also worried about the possible side affects and

> have done a lot of research online and reading about enbrel. At this point I

> am ready to just accept the pain and disability in order to not allow myself

> to be subject to even worse than I already have, ie. , cancer, stroke, heart

> problems, kidney problems, etc.

>

> What am I supposed to do, I am so very confused.

>

> Schweigert from Rochester, NY

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

I haven't even seen my rheumatologist yet, but if I were in your

situation, I think I would be asking for a second opinion. I have not yet

taken Enbrel and have no experience with it, but I have taken numerous other

meds over the years....

Having stated that, let me add this. The treatment of RA is as much

a guessing game as treating any other " episodic " illness. If medications

are being tried and those are not working, then something else needs to be

tried. You could ask your doctor to titrate down on the other medications

before starting Enbrel and ask him just how quickly most patients are aware

of improvement on this drug.

You could also ask him to change one of the other medications before

trying the Enbrel, possibly switching from Celebrex to Vioxx -- another

-2 inhibitor -- with a slightly different approach to the way it handles

pain and inflammation.

Contact your doctor's office to see if the doctor can call you and

discuss your concerns. You want to have confidence in your doctor's

decisions, but you also want him to know that you have some very real

concerns that need to be addressed. If the doctor asks you to make an

appointment, do so, and arrange for your husband to be with you. That way

both of you can ask questions and get answers.

Dianne

----- Original Message -----

From: <lsch99@...>

> I have not posted since I joined a few months ago, but I have been reading

messages posted. I have been taking methotrexate along with celebrex and

ultracet. None of whic has made a gret difference to how I feel, the pain

or inflammation. Now my doctor wants me to start on enbrel in addition to

what I am already taking. My husband is very concerned about the possible

side affects of enbrel, and he says that the treatment may be worse than the

disease in this case. I am also worried about the possible side affects and

have done a lot of research online and reading about enbrel. At this point

I am ready to just accept the pain and disability in order to not allow

myself to be subject to even worse than I already have, ie. , cancer,

stroke, heart problems, kidney problems, etc.

>

> What am I supposed to do, I am so very confused.

>

> Schweigert from Rochester, NY

>

[Guest guest]

Terri,

I've looked and can't find anything that says Enbrel stays in the body for

10-12 weeks. I'll keep looking. Maybe what your doctor is referring to

is the 2-5 time increase in serum levels after taking Enbrel over time.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/etanercept_cp.htm

Half life of medications is defined as the amount of time it takes the body

to eliminate half of the drug after it has been absorbed by the body.

Even though Enbrel has a short half-life, it may still accumulate even

though most of it leaves the body. This is probably why the serum levels

are 2-5 times higher in people taking Enbrel over time. I'm not sure if the

levels that build up leave us more susceptible to infection. You know I'll

be looking for the answer to that question. I hope you don't have any more

trouble with diverticulitis. My mom had it several years ago and it was

very painful.

Some articles on biologicals and infection:

Enbrel has a median half-life of about 115 hours whereas Remicade's

elimination half-life is 8.0-9.5 days. This was taken from this article:

Etanercept, Infliximab, and Infection:

http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:91IgXHME6GEJ:www.mgh.harvard.edu/id/hms

/handouts20012002/infliximab.pdf+enbrel+remicade+half-life & hl=en & ie=UTF-8

Here is a Medscape article that discusses the various half-lives of

biologicals:

" Infliximab is a chimeric (human/mouse) anti-TNF monoclonal antibody with a

half-life of 8-10 days; etanercept is a fusion protein of the TNF receptor

and the immunoglobulin G (IgG)-Fc-region, with a half-life of 4 days. The

first is administered every 4-8 weeks intravenously; the second is

self-administered weekly subcutaneously. "

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/459048

a

> When I was on Enbrel the first time around and had a bad infection

> (diverticulitis) my pcp looked up and studied Enbrel and it was found to

> stay in the body about 10-12 weeks the same amount of time that it takes to

> build up in the body.

>

> Terri

[Guest guest]

a,

I had a stomach virus that started on Monday. I had diarrhea and threw

up the livelong day. When I thought I had nothing more to throw up, Old

Mr. Virus found still more yellow liquid somewhere deep inside. I was

certainly glad that I had had the flu shot, because if this had been

flu, I'd have been even sicker. I can't imagine being much sicker. I

stayed in bed all day Monday and Tuesday. Today my husband and my son

who was here with the grandkids also got sick.

Anyway, I didn't inject my Enbrel on Tuesday. Is it safe to inject it

now that I'm feeling much better but still not up to par? How long

should I wait?

Sue

On Tuesday, December 30, 2003, at 08:25 PM, a wrote:

>

> I've looked and can't find anything that says Enbrel stays in the body

> for

> 10-12 weeks.

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

I've always taken extra precautions, more than what they recommend.

The literature that comes with Enbrel and their website says to stop Enbrel

if SERIOUS infection arises. I don't believe the aftermath of the flu is

what they consider serious infection, but I myself wouldn't take the chance.

I've stopped taking Enbrel until ALL signs of illness are gone. The best

answer would come from your doctor. I'm glad you're feeling better and hope

your husband and son get over it quickly.

a

>

> I had a stomach virus that started on Monday. I had diarrhea and threw

> up the livelong day. When I thought I had nothing more to throw up, Old

> Mr. Virus found still more yellow liquid somewhere deep inside. I was

> certainly glad that I had had the flu shot, because if this had been

> flu, I'd have been even sicker. I can't imagine being much sicker. I

> stayed in bed all day Monday and Tuesday. Today my husband and my son

> who was here with the grandkids also got sick.

>

> Anyway, I didn't inject my Enbrel on Tuesday. Is it safe to inject it

> now that I'm feeling much better but still not up to par? How long

> should I wait?

>

> Sue

[Guest guest]

I have been on Enbrel with no problems for over a year. I wished it worked

even better so I could stop the MTX!! I even tried to take my doc into 3

injections a week. He said no..could supress my immune system too much leaving

me

open for some big bad opportunistic infections.

Everything you put in or on your body has the potential to have some sort of

side effect or negative effect on the body. I think we all just have to

weight the positive and negative outcome to see what is better. Also drugs that

require close monitoring you should be following the plan to get that close

monitoring.

I read somewhere that since RA can affect the eyes and liquid producing

tissues you should have regular eye and dental exams. I get mine every six

months.

Maybe if this person that lost her site was also getting such regular exams

maybe they could have caught her problem sooner..and she may not have lost her

sight.

Then again hind sight is always 20/20 and we can try to think of ways this

may not have happened...

Dave, even at 5 mg pred daily my doc requires calcium, Vit D, magnisium and

zinc. There are also studies that people of white scandinavian decent are more

likely to suffer of osteopororis than blacks or indians. The risk for asians

was pretty high too. The risk for white males and females were shockingly

high to me. for women the risk goes very high after menopause. I am sure you

have studied or at least found info on this on the Hopkins site if not, I

know a or one of out moderators can post the info. It is some thing we

all need to be aware of since we tend to stay on drugs that can accelerate the

problem.

Toni

In a message dated 6/8/04 9:47:02 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

> Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2004 20:41:09 -0700

> From: " dave francis " <hbdave@...>

> Subject: Re: Re: prednisone

>

> Be careful about Enbrel .. might be ok .. might not .. read the Hopkins

> Hosp. web page for more info .. look for it on the net .. one gal went

> partially blind after doing Enbrel .. I read her note on an E, in the group

today

> .. I myself am pretty confused as to what to do .. am tapering down presently

> on prednisone 17.5 till thur., then to 15 for two more weeks, then 10 for 2

> wks., then 7.5 for 2 more weeks, then hopefully back to 5.. I've heard that 5

> per day is the supposed safer dose long term .. but I am not a doctor ..

>

> DaveF.

>

[Guest guest]

Someone once wrote that enbrel made them feel as though they didn't

have RA anymore. Has that been your experience? And did/do you have

any concerns about the possible side effects of the med?

Sierra

> > WOW... i had my appointment today and i was so excited, shoewed

up an hour

> > early.. *i waited patiently* ha ha ha

> > well, anyway... this dr. roberts wa great... he spent over an

hour with

> > me... wanted to know everything and when and all....

> > he feels the best thing for me to do now that the mtrx has

caused me liver

> > problems... i should start taking plaquenil and enbrel... i

started the

> > plaquenil tonight and i had my TB test today and as soon as that

is read and

> > negative... i can start on the enbrel.... i am afraid to give

MYSELF the

> > shots... my husband said he can learn and my youngest daughter

*going to

> > school for RN degree* can give them to me... and maybe one day i

will have

> > nerve enough to give them my self... )

> >

> > he siad he wants me down to 7 1/2 mgs of prednisone... i have

been taking

> > anywhere from 5 to 20.... so i will start cutting the 5's in half

and sart

> > taking 7 1/2...

> > i forgot to ask how long does it take enbrel to start making you

feel

> > better?? he told me that plaquenil takes about 6-8 weeks for

some relief

> > and it does not really do too much... but any help is welcomed...

> >

> > i am so excited to hopefully start feeling better... soon...

> >

> > rae, in napa, ca

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

i have read all the side affects, but, i do not want to be all crippled up in a

few years, eight... so i will take the chance.. and the really bad side affects

are not all that common...

i sure hope i fell like i do not have RA anymore...i will do a dance... for

sure.. )

rae

[ ] Re: Enbrel

Someone once wrote that enbrel made them feel as though they didn't

have RA anymore. Has that been your experience? And did/do you have

any concerns about the possible side effects of the med?

Sierra

> > WOW... i had my appointment today and i was so excited, shoewed

up an hour

> > early.. *i waited patiently* ha ha ha

> > well, anyway... this dr. roberts wa great... he spent over an

hour with

> > me... wanted to know everything and when and all....

> > he feels the best thing for me to do now that the mtrx has

caused me liver

> > problems... i should start taking plaquenil and enbrel... i

started the

> > plaquenil tonight and i had my TB test today and as soon as that

is read and

> > negative... i can start on the enbrel.... i am afraid to give

MYSELF the

> > shots... my husband said he can learn and my youngest daughter

*going to

> > school for RN degree* can give them to me... and maybe one day i

will have

> > nerve enough to give them my self... )

> >

> > he siad he wants me down to 7 1/2 mgs of prednisone... i have

been taking

> > anywhere from 5 to 20.... so i will start cutting the 5's in half

and sart

> > taking 7 1/2...

> > i forgot to ask how long does it take enbrel to start making you

feel

> > better?? he told me that plaquenil takes about 6-8 weeks for

some relief

> > and it does not really do too much... but any help is welcomed...

> >

> > i am so excited to hopefully start feeling better... soon...

> >

> > rae, in napa, ca

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Good luck, on the Enbrel! Sometimes, meds don't work forever, then

you might need to change meds.

I have found, if you right your questions down on paper, it helps so

much. So, when your there, you don't forget anything. Take care, T

>

>

> I have RA amoung other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel

however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

[Guest guest]

I've never read that. Where did you read it? I'm in my 6th year on

enbrel and it's still helps. In 5 years, who knows what new

treatments will be available? It would help if you wrote down

questions for your doctor. It's common to forget when you're in with

the doctor.

a

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:49:38 -0000, tyeakey12041959

<tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

>

>

> I have RA amoung other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello a, thank you for your response. Well needless to say I must have read

the info wrong. Over the weekend I did more research which helped me to

understand Enbrel a little more. However, since you have been on it, does it

really make you feel better? I have been told it takes away all the pain,

stiffness, swelling and stops the damage RA does to your joints. I have been

battling RA as well as other ailments for over 5 years now and I hope this will

give me some relief. I am sure you know all about that.

T.

a <papola@...> wrote:

I've never read that. Where did you read it? I'm in my 6th year on

enbrel and it's still helps. In 5 years, who knows what new

treatments will be available? It would help if you wrote down

questions for your doctor. It's common to forget when you're in with

the doctor.

a

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:49:38 -0000, tyeakey12041959

<tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

>

>

> I have RA among other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE. I DID MORE RESEARCH INTO ENBREL THIS WEEKEND AND

FOUND OUT A LOT MORE REGARDING THE DRUG.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME (BELIEVE IT OR NOT) TO EVER GO ON LINE AND TALK WITH

OTHERS ABOUT RA. I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH RA/FIBRO/CTS/ETC, ETC, ETC, FOR 6

YEARS NOW AND FINALLY DECIDED TO TALK TO OTHERS.

I DO TALK TO FAMILY MEMBERS BUT AM VERY LIMITED TO WHAT I SAY PLUS WHEN YOU TALK

TO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE RA, IT IS VERY HARD FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND. I HAVE

A SISTER IN-LAW WHO TOLD ME TO GO ON-LINE YEARS AGO BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY HANDS

WERE SO BAD IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO TYPE AND IS STILL SOMEWHAT NOW.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE. SOMETIMES IT IS NICE TO KNOW YOU

ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE.

T

tdianaok <tdianaok@...> wrote:

Good luck, on the Enbrel! Sometimes, meds don't work forever, then

you might need to change meds.

I have found, if you right your questions down on paper, it helps so

much. So, when your there, you don't forget anything. Take care, T

>

>

> I have RA among other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel

however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

[Guest guest]

i sure hope it last for more thzn five years... nobody has told me that... i

will ask my doctor when i see him....

rae

Re: [ ] enbrel

I've never read that. Where did you read it? I'm in my 6th year on

enbrel and it's still helps. In 5 years, who knows what new

treatments will be available? It would help if you wrote down

questions for your doctor. It's common to forget when you're in with

the doctor.

a

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:49:38 -0000, tyeakey12041959

<tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

>

>

> I have RA amoung other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI RAE,

I GUESS I DID NOT READ THE INFO CAREFULLY ON ENBREL. YES IT DOES LAST LONGER

THAN 5YRS. I HAVE SUFFERED WITH RA/FIBRO/CTS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER AILMENTS AS

YOU WELL KNOW FOR MANY YEARS. SO STARTING ENBREL IS KIND OF EXCITING AND A BIT

NERVE RACKING. (THE SHOTS) HOWEVER, I GIVE MYSELF SHOTS FOR ALLERGIES SO I

THINK I WILL BE ABLE TO FOR ENBREL. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME WITH A SUPPORT GROUP

AND IT IS PRETTY AMAZING HOW MANY OTHERS ARE GOING THROUGH OR WENT THROUGH THE

THINGS I DID. I AM SO GLAD I FOUND RA SUPPORT EVERYONE HAS BEEN SO NICE.

TY

Rae Sandberg <Raes_Yorkies@...> wrote:

i sure hope it last for more thzn five years... nobody has told me that... i

will ask my doctor when i see him....

rae

Re: [ ] enbrel

I've never read that. Where did you read it? I'm in my 6th year on

enbrel and it's still helps. In 5 years, who knows what new

treatments will be available? It would help if you wrote down

questions for your doctor. It's common to forget when you're in with

the doctor.

a

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:49:38 -0000, tyeakey12041959

<tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

>

>

> I have RA among other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi T. I am lucky that Enbrel has helped so much. We have many

members that tried it and it did nothing, but we have others that it's

helped a lot. No one can predict who it will work for or for how long

it will work. Enbrel has been good to me, but I've still had

progression of the disease, so it hasn't stopped it. I always know

when it is time to take my enbrel because my joints tell me. I hope

you are as lucky as I am.

a

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 06:38:17 -0800 (PST), t y <tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

>

> Hello a, thank you for your response. Well needless to say I must have

> read the info wrong. Over the weekend I did more research which helped me

> to understand Enbrel a little more. However, since you have been on it,

> does it really make you feel better? I have been told it takes away all the

> pain, stiffness, swelling and stops the damage RA does to your joints. I

> have been battling RA as well as other ailments for over 5 years now and I

> hope this will give me some relief. I am sure you know all about that.

> T.

>

>

> a <papola@...> wrote:

> I've never read that. Where did you read it? I'm in my 6th year on

> enbrel and it's still helps. In 5 years, who knows what new

> treatments will be available? It would help if you wrote down

> questions for your doctor. It's common to forget when you're in with

> the doctor.

> a

>

>

> On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:49:38 -0000, tyeakey12041959

> <tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

> >

> >

> > I have RA among other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel however,

> > the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> > What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> > longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> > ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> > as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> > thank you for your assistance

> >

> > T.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

ty... i am going to get my 2nd injection tomorrow.. i can hardly wait.. i think

with each injection.. i am going to feel better..

i went to the gym today and got everything set up... i go back on wednesday and

then i can get started..oh i hope i feel even better after the 2nd injection...

rae

Re: [ ] enbrel

I've never read that. Where did you read it? I'm in my 6th year on

enbrel and it's still helps. In 5 years, who knows what new

treatments will be available? It would help if you wrote down

questions for your doctor. It's common to forget when you're in with

the doctor.

a

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:49:38 -0000, tyeakey12041959

<tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

>

>

> I have RA among other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

RAE, I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU. I AM GLAD YOU ARE EXCITED AND I HOPE TO HAVE THE

SAME POSITIVE ATTITUDE AS YOU. AS WELL, I HOPE YOU START FEELING BETTER SOON

AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP ME POSTED. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY CHEST X-RAYS TO COME

BACK FOR THE TB TEST. ONCE THAT IS COMPLETE THEN MY DOC WILL CONTACT MY

INSURANCE COMPANY AND REQUEST MY MEDICATION BE COVERED AND SENT. MAYBE A MONTH

BEFORE I GET STARTED. I AM A LITTLE ANXIOUS ABOUT THIS BUT BY YOU KEEPING YOUR

SPIRITS UP GIVES ME HOPE.

I AM GOING TO TRY AND GIVE MYSELF THE INJECTIONS. I GIVE MYSELF ALLERGY SHOTS

AND I THINK IT WILL BE OK. MY SON AND MY FIANCE SAID THEY WILL LEARN HOW TO

GIVE ME SHOTS AS WELL. WELL, GOOD LUCK AND LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES..

TY

Rae Sandberg <Raes_Yorkies@...> wrote:

ty... i am going to get my 2nd injection tomorrow.. i can hardly wait.. i think

with each injection.. i am going to feel better..

i went to the gym today and got everything set up... i go back on wednesday and

then i can get started..oh i hope i feel even better after the 2nd injection...

rae

Re: [ ] enbrel

I've never read that. Where did you read it? I'm in my 6th year on

enbrel and it's still helps. In 5 years, who knows what new

treatments will be available? It would help if you wrote down

questions for your doctor. It's common to forget when you're in with

the doctor.

a

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:49:38 -0000, tyeakey12041959

<tyeakey12041959@...> wrote:

>

>

> I have RA among other ailments. I am about to go on Enbrel however,

> the information I am reading states it is good for about 5 years.

> What happens after that. I am only 45 and I surely hope I live

> longer than that :-) Can anyone give me some info. I guess I don't

> ask the right questions to my doctor and forget by the time I leave

> as to what I was going to ask him. (could me the meds)

> thank you for your assistance

>

> T.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/19/2005 6:24:36 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

winchester19572004@... writes:

for all of you who take enbrel . if you get any illness . talk to your doc

and see if he/she wants you to stop taking it. mine didn't and it's hung on

for 3 weeeks now. so i stoped taking it till i get better. i'm surprised they

didn't put me in the hospital. good luck to all mike

I was told to stop taking it for at LEAST one week after I caught the worst

cold i've had in a long time.

Abby

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Kathe! That's such good news.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Enbrel

> Hi All:

>

> Some of you who have been on the board for a while

> know that I had to discontinue Enbrel about a year ago

> when my husband changed jobs and the insurance called

> for a $400.00 per month copay. Well, he has been

> working for a new company since January and they

> upgraded the insurance, and now Enbrel is once again

> covered at only a $30.00 copay. Hurray! I am back on

> it as of next week - I am so excited to be starting it

> again, and hope that it works as well for me now as it

> did for the few months I was taking it before.

> Hopefully, I will be able to lower my 20mg. dosage of

> Methotrexate once the Enbrel kicks in - that would be

> great.

>

> Kathe in CA

[Guest guest]

Kathe,

Enbrel has co-pay assistance program now for about a year. Did know if you

knew that..but just FYI for future use. They help with any co-pay for

Rheumatoid meds above $50 per month.

I learned about this but had stopped Enbrel....so I am being switched to

Humia when ever I get the nerve up to orther the posion and be the guinnia pig!

LOL

Toni

In a message dated 6/11/2005 4:53:48 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2005 12:33:41 -0700 (PDT)

From: Kathe Sabetzadeh <lv2ryd@...>

Subject: Enbrel

Hi All:

Some of you who have been on the board for a while

know that I had to discontinue Enbrel about a year ago

when my husband changed jobs and the insurance called

for a $400.00 per month copay. Well, he has been

working for a new company since January and they

upgraded the insurance, and now Enbrel is once again

covered at only a $30.00 copay. Hurray! I am back on

it as of next week - I am so excited to be starting it

again, and hope that it works as well for me now as it

did for the few months I was taking it before.

Hopefully, I will be able to lower my 20mg. dosage of

Methotrexate once the Enbrel kicks in - that would be

great.

Kathe in CA