Question About Enbrel (or similar) & Depression/Mood Changes

[Guest guest]

Hi All-

Haven't posted in a while. Wanted to give you an update and get some feedback.

1) I stopped MTX back in Aug- my liver enzymes were way up and I was anemic and

feeling sick all the time.

2) Finally got approved for Enbrel in September;

3) I've made it through 6 weekly doses; but after conferring with my pharmacist

and then my Rheumy- we agreed to stop

4) I noticed a severe change in my mental outlook (depression/mood

changes/sadness)- I've been going through a really tough time with

finances/travel for work/mother-in-law passing away.......but still the changes

I felt were affecting more than my normal easygoing manner.....my suspicions

were confirmed by a therapist who did an initial evaluation........I also lost

about 7lbs this past month which I know is not the normal reaction to enbrel as

well.

5) So the Rheumy says to stop the enbrel and we'll talk about it next week when

I go for my blood work.

6) We started down the MTX/Enbrel path because of Iritis; which even after 6

doses of enbrel is now back and being treated with pred. drops.

7) My local pharmacist who is also trained in homeopathy says that alot of his

patients on biologics experience similar affects.

8) He has provided me with some pretty good natural remedies and they are

helping.

Just wanted to see if any of you experienced similar effects from the

biologics........

Best Regards

-Larry

[Guest guest]

Larry,It sounds to me as if quite a few of your symptoms may be Still's related

a possibly not from the biologics? Of course your doctors will and should be the

best to determine this. I too was very anemic, had the insomnia, depression,

anxiety and many other symptoms that relate to a flare with Still's. I wasn't on

the newer biologics at the time. It was in the late 70's and early 80's when the

Penacillamine came out and weaned me off the steroids.I hope they can find the

medication that works best for you my friend. Please keep us posted on what

they/you choose in the end and how it works for you.Hoping you the best, melly

To: Stillsdisease

From: lg2207@...

Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 14:26:48 +0000

Subject: Question About Enbrel (or similar) & Depression/Mood

Changes

Hi All-

Haven't posted in a while. Wanted to give you an update and get some feedback.

1) I stopped MTX back in Aug- my liver enzymes were way up and I was anemic and

feeling sick all the time.

3) I've made it through 6 weekly doses; but after conferring with my pharmacist

and then my Rheumy- we agreed to stop

4) I noticed a severe change in my mental outlook (depression/mood

changes/sadness)- I've been going through a really tough time with

finances/travel for work/mother-in-law passing away.......but still the changes

I felt were affecting more than my normal easygoing manner.....my suspicions

were confirmed by a therapist who did an initial evaluation........I also lost

about 7lbs this past month which I know is not the normal reaction to enbrel as

well.

Just wanted to see if any of you experienced similar effects from the

biologics........

Best Regards

-Larry

[Guest guest]

Hi Larry,

Sounds like you have had a rough time. So sorry to hear about all the

changes and the problems with the medicines.

I have had problems with biologics also. To the point where I have sworn

them off for now. For as long as I can.

It seems like every time I am given a new medicine, I have some weird

reaction to it, sometimes one that isn't even reported, so I can relate to

how you are feeling.

Have you tried Sam-E for depression? I am guessing it might have been one of

the first things your friend suggested.

Anyway, hugs and prayers are coming your way. Hang in there,

Alli

[Guest guest]

Hi...

I have been using Enbrel since June. When I started it, my Rheumy stated she

would have me use it for at least 4 months before making any changes in my meds

because it can take that long to start feeling the effects. I have noticed a

change in my mood - I have always tended to pick my " battles " wisely and have

been finding that I don't have the motivation/drive for many battles. What I

used to think was important really isn't - I focus on items involving my health.

An somewhat unusual side effect of Enbrel that I've experienced is a change in

the hair. I have had straight, fine hair all my life. Over the course of the

past 4 months, my hair has become wavy (people have asked if I got a perm). I'm

just thankful that Enbrel seems to be helping.

Hoping that your appointment with your Rheumy brings some relief:)

Leanne

[Guest guest]

Hello Larry,

I have been on various biologic medications for over four years (diagnosed in

2006). Currently I am on Rituxan every 4 months and it so far has worked the

best in reducing the vast array of symptoms related to Stills. I have had some

reduction in my total WBC count but otherwise no noted symptomatic reactions. I

had difficulty previously with Methotrexate both oral and IM and cellsept. I had

no improvement with Arava. I am off prednisone but I still require Celebrex and

oral analgesics particularly as the day progresses into evening and night. My

weight has been stable and my activity level better than the previous biologics

which included; Kinaret, Humira, Orencia, and Actemra. The most frequent

complication so far has been loss of effectiveness of the medication over time.

Harry S.

To: Stillsdisease

From: lg2207@...

Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 14:26:48 +0000

Subject: Question About Enbrel (or similar) & Depression/Mood

Changes

Hi All-

Haven't posted in a while. Wanted to give you an update and get some feedback.

1) I stopped MTX back in Aug- my liver enzymes were way up and I was anemic and

feeling sick all the time.

2) Finally got approved for Enbrel in September;

3) I've made it through 6 weekly doses; but after conferring with my pharmacist

and then my Rheumy- we agreed to stop

4) I noticed a severe change in my mental outlook (depression/mood

changes/sadness)- I've been going through a really tough time with

finances/travel for work/mother-in-law passing away.......but still the changes

I felt were affecting more than my normal easygoing manner.....my suspicions

were confirmed by a therapist who did an initial evaluation........I also lost

about 7lbs this past month which I know is not the normal reaction to enbrel as

well.

5) So the Rheumy says to stop the enbrel and we'll talk about it next week when

I go for my blood work.

6) We started down the MTX/Enbrel path because of Iritis; which even after 6

doses of enbrel is now back and being treated with pred. drops.

7) My local pharmacist who is also trained in homeopathy says that alot of his

patients on biologics experience similar affects.

8) He has provided me with some pretty good natural remedies and they are

helping.

Just wanted to see if any of you experienced similar effects from the

biologics........

Best Regards

-Larry

[Guest guest]

Hello Larry,

I have been on various biologic medications for over four years (diagnosed in

2006). Currently I am on Rituxan every 4 months and it so far has worked the

best in reducing the vast array of symptoms related to Stills. I have had some

reduction in my total WBC count but otherwise no noted symptomatic reactions. I

had difficulty previously with Methotrexate both oral and IM and cellsept. I had

no improvement with Arava. I am off prednisone but I still require Celebrex and

oral analgesics particularly as the day progresses into evening and night. My

weight has been stable and my activity level better than the previous biologics

which included; Kinaret, Humira, Orencia, and Actemra. The most frequent

complication so far has been loss of effectiveness of the medication over time.

Harry S.

To: Stillsdisease

From: lg2207@...

Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 14:26:48 +0000

Subject: Question About Enbrel (or similar) & Depression/Mood

Changes

Hi All-

Haven't posted in a while. Wanted to give you an update and get some feedback.

1) I stopped MTX back in Aug- my liver enzymes were way up and I was anemic and

feeling sick all the time.

2) Finally got approved for Enbrel in September;

3) I've made it through 6 weekly doses; but after conferring with my pharmacist

and then my Rheumy- we agreed to stop

4) I noticed a severe change in my mental outlook (depression/mood

changes/sadness)- I've been going through a really tough time with

finances/travel for work/mother-in-law passing away.......but still the changes

I felt were affecting more than my normal easygoing manner.....my suspicions

were confirmed by a therapist who did an initial evaluation........I also lost

about 7lbs this past month which I know is not the normal reaction to enbrel as

well.

5) So the Rheumy says to stop the enbrel and we'll talk about it next week when

I go for my blood work.

6) We started down the MTX/Enbrel path because of Iritis; which even after 6

doses of enbrel is now back and being treated with pred. drops.

7) My local pharmacist who is also trained in homeopathy says that alot of his

patients on biologics experience similar affects.

8) He has provided me with some pretty good natural remedies and they are

helping.

Just wanted to see if any of you experienced similar effects from the

biologics........

Best Regards

-Larry

[Guest guest]

Hello Larry,

I have been on various biologic medications for over four years (diagnosed in

2006). Currently I am on Rituxan every 4 months and it so far has worked the

best in reducing the vast array of symptoms related to Stills. I have had some

reduction in my total WBC count but otherwise no noted symptomatic reactions. I

had difficulty previously with Methotrexate both oral and IM and cellsept. I had

no improvement with Arava. I am off prednisone but I still require Celebrex and

oral analgesics particularly as the day progresses into evening and night. My

weight has been stable and my activity level better than the previous biologics

which included; Kinaret, Humira, Orencia, and Actemra. The most frequent

complication so far has been loss of effectiveness of the medication over time.

Harry S.

To: Stillsdisease

From: lg2207@...

Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 14:26:48 +0000

Subject: Question About Enbrel (or similar) & Depression/Mood

Changes

Hi All-

Haven't posted in a while. Wanted to give you an update and get some feedback.

1) I stopped MTX back in Aug- my liver enzymes were way up and I was anemic and

feeling sick all the time.

2) Finally got approved for Enbrel in September;

3) I've made it through 6 weekly doses; but after conferring with my pharmacist

and then my Rheumy- we agreed to stop

4) I noticed a severe change in my mental outlook (depression/mood

changes/sadness)- I've been going through a really tough time with

finances/travel for work/mother-in-law passing away.......but still the changes

I felt were affecting more than my normal easygoing manner.....my suspicions

were confirmed by a therapist who did an initial evaluation........I also lost

about 7lbs this past month which I know is not the normal reaction to enbrel as

well.

5) So the Rheumy says to stop the enbrel and we'll talk about it next week when

I go for my blood work.

6) We started down the MTX/Enbrel path because of Iritis; which even after 6

doses of enbrel is now back and being treated with pred. drops.

7) My local pharmacist who is also trained in homeopathy says that alot of his

patients on biologics experience similar affects.

8) He has provided me with some pretty good natural remedies and they are

helping.

Just wanted to see if any of you experienced similar effects from the

biologics........

Best Regards

-Larry

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the feedback......Alas, I must tell you of my experience

with Kineret......it tried very hard to literally KILL me...yes...that one

too...back in the late Spring/Summer of 2008 when I was undergoing my time in

ICU in Comas mechanically ventilated.....turns out Kineret was the major

culprit...at least the second bout anyway..found out later that when I went to

the ER, was immediately transferred to ICU and put on the vent (actually the

vent was put IN me),  I had a White Blood Cell count of TWO....yep:  TWO.....and

i am sure they killed them with the count!!  LOL

When it was all over some eight weeks later or so, i returned to the RD who had

placed me on Kineret.....he just couldn't believe it.....he wanted me to

continue on the Kineret and taper my Prednisone just as quickly as possible!  Uh

Huh....Fired him on the spot!!

My new RD at least follows my logic that Enbrel is the root cause this

time.....at any rate, my body just will not tolerate ANYTHING beyond prednisone

and Imuran (thank God i can take those!)...i truly believe my Alpha-1 Pulmonary

condition is responsible.

So now my approach with doctors and my own research is from this angle!

Thanks for your input though!

God Bless!

Larry

 

[Guest guest]

Dearest Val!

Hey!  I appreciate your exchange of information, kind words and prayers!  I am

also very thankful that you genuinely care!  You are a good soul!

God Bless!

Larry B.

________________________________

 

[Guest guest]

Dearest Val!

Hey!  I appreciate your exchange of information, kind words and prayers!  I am

also very thankful that you genuinely care!  You are a good soul!

God Bless!

Larry B.

________________________________

 

[Guest guest]

Dearest Val!

Hey!  I appreciate your exchange of information, kind words and prayers!  I am

also very thankful that you genuinely care!  You are a good soul!

God Bless!

Larry B.

________________________________