??'s & Enbrel

[Guest guest]

I have had RA for 2 years now and have been doing relatively well up

until the last 2 months. I won't torture everyone with the details

because I'm sure everyone has experienced the same thing at some

time. Needless to say I have been in extreme pain. My rheumy is

going to start me on Enbrel in addition to my methotrexate. I was

wondering what experience everyone has had with this medication and

what I can expect when I start taking it. Am i going to get ill like

i did when I started my methotrexate? How long does it usually take

to start getting some relief?

I am a student and classes will be starting next month. Right now the

way I am I'm considering taking a semester off. I can't write, tie my

shoes, lift my arms, and many days can barely walk. I'm a zombie

cause I'm taking so much pain medication, it's all I can do to stay

awake for a couple hours. Is it possible for enbrel to take effect

and I feel better within a month? I don't expect it to " fix "

everything cause I have adjusted to the fatigue, " bad days " , etc.

etc. I'm just hoping to get to the point that I can do some of the

basic day to day things.....

Thanks for any input....