Enbrel?

[Guest guest]

Des,

I am starting my second year on Enbrel. It has been a God send. I have

experienced no problems (fatigue the first few weeks), but my P and PA have

improved dramatically. My husband gives me my injections (I'm a wimp) and there

has never been an injection site reaction. I swear by it. Good luck.

Terri in Texas

[Guest guest]

Des,

This is just my personal opinion & experience but I educated myself as much as

possible with the risks of using Enbrel. In discussing it with my doctor,

contacting the company with questions and concerns, and reading a lot of

information available online, I felt the benefits far outweighed the risks of

potential infections and/or diseases that MAY be associated with it. Perhaps

the best thing to do beforehand (if you can) is to have blood work done checking

for antibodies you may be creating and if so, which kind. Also, through a urine

analysis, they can see if your immune system is working properly. If there are

any problems with these tests, then I'd ask my doc about higher risks, etc...

For example, my thyroid is currently creating antibodies however my immune

system is working properly. I know we're all individuals and respond

differently to treatments (unfortunately...it would be great if we all responded

the same), however if you are armed with as much knowledge as possible and have

a very positive attitude, it makes a world of difference. Also, as far as

fatigue, I'm using Enbrel 3 times per week now and have been taking it for 5-6

months and have never experienced fatigue. If anything, I have more energy

because I'm using less of it to fight pain and the depression associated with

not being able to do what I've done in the past. Again, everyone responds

differently, however, if it doesn't work, just discontinue using it. The reason

we have to inject ourselves often is because it doesn't stay in our system long.

It can't hurt to give it a shot after you weigh your options.

Best of luck to you,

Tenderly...

Sherrie

[Guest guest]

Welcome Des,

It nice to hear from someone in my neck of the woods. I used to work for the

Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center right next door to OHSU, and now

work for Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas, Oregon. I

live across the river in Vancouver.

I have had PA officially for about 4 years, unofficially, probably since my

20s. I'm 45 now. I have been on MTX orally for 3 years and then my liver

enzymes elevated and I had a liver biopsy done, and I have now been injecting

the MTX for about 3 months. I have also been using Enbrel since February 14,

2003.

My decision to use Enbrel came out of MTX no longer being as effective for my

pain and being unable to take some of the other drugs. I weighed the side

effects of Enbrel against the side effects of MTX and the other drugs against

the fact that my pain was getting worse and my mobility was becoming less. I

was really losing ground against this disease. For myself, I decided it was

worth the risk.

I'm glad I made the choice. Enbrel has given me my life back. For me, it

worked literally overnight, and I have had no side effects from it. I still

take the MTX and probably will for the rest of my life, as my rheumatologist

feels the Enbrel works better in combination with the MTX. With injecting the

MTX, I don't have the side effects like I used (throwing up, heavy fatigue,

and basically feeling like crap).

My rheumy is very careful to make sure and check my lymph nodes with each

checkup. I have had 2 TB tests in the past 2 months just be extra assured

that my body is negative and remains negative.

I had to temporarily come off both Enbrel and MTX for about 1 week because I

had caught a nasty cold that has been going around my office, but I am back

on both meds now without any problem.

I never realized how much pain I had been in for so long until I started the

Enbrel. It has absolutely been miraculous.

I also take etodolac and Tylenol along with the Enbrel and MTX, as well as

folic acid, methocarbamol, and Protonix. For me it is a good combination.

I think Enbrel is definitely worth a try.

Anyway, nice to talk to a local.

Carol in Vancouver, Washington

In a message dated 4/8/03 12:52:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

dcurran@... writes:

> Hi,

>

> I have had PA for about 6 years and it has progressively gotten worse

> (suprise). MTX and Arava did little for me except increase fatigue. I

> am considering taking enbrel and was wondering what kind of

> experiences others have had with it. There seem to be some issues

> surrounding its safety from what I have seen.

>

> Des

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Carol,

I am going to my doctor this afternoon to be shown how to properly

inject the enbrel, my insurance fought paying for it for a few days

but they relented after a concerted effort by my doctor. I am excited

about the potential for being able to do things I haven't done in

years again, and hope it works well for me. I'd cross my fingers, but

that'd hurt too much right now!

I am going to Europe for a while this summer and actually being able

to walk around and see and do what I want to would make the trip such

a gift. The last time I went I walked around the old part of London

for a few hours and really paid for it for months afterwards. (I

still enjoyed it though)

I wonder if there are many more people in the group from the area?

Des

> Welcome Des,

> It nice to hear from someone in my neck of the woods. I used to

work for the

> Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center right next door to OHSU,

and now

> work for Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas,

Oregon. I

> live across the river in Vancouver.

>

> I have had PA officially for about 4 years, unofficially, probably

since my

> 20s. I'm 45 now. I have been on MTX orally for 3 years and then my

liver

> enzymes elevated and I had a liver biopsy done, and I have now been

injecting

> the MTX for about 3 months. I have also been using Enbrel since

February 14,

> 2003.

>

> My decision to use Enbrel came out of MTX no longer being as

effective for my

> pain and being unable to take some of the other drugs. I weighed

the side

> effects of Enbrel against the side effects of MTX and the other

drugs against

> the fact that my pain was getting worse and my mobility was

becoming less. I

> was really losing ground against this disease. For myself, I

decided it was

> worth the risk.

>

> I'm glad I made the choice. Enbrel has given me my life back. For

me, it

> worked literally overnight, and I have had no side effects from it.

I still

> take the MTX and probably will for the rest of my life, as my

rheumatologist

> feels the Enbrel works better in combination with the MTX. With

injecting the

> MTX, I don't have the side effects like I used (throwing up, heavy

fatigue,

> and basically feeling like crap).

>

> My rheumy is very careful to make sure and check my lymph nodes

with each

> checkup. I have had 2 TB tests in the past 2 months just be extra

assured

> that my body is negative and remains negative.

>

> I had to temporarily come off both Enbrel and MTX for about 1 week

because I

> had caught a nasty cold that has been going around my office, but I

am back

> on both meds now without any problem.

>

> I never realized how much pain I had been in for so long until I

started the

> Enbrel. It has absolutely been miraculous.

>

> I also take etodolac and Tylenol along with the Enbrel and MTX, as

well as

> folic acid, methocarbamol, and Protonix. For me it is a good

combination.

>

> I think Enbrel is definitely worth a try.

>

> Anyway, nice to talk to a local.

>

> Carol in Vancouver, Washington

>

> In a message dated 4/8/03 12:52:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

> dcurran@p... writes:

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > I have had PA for about 6 years and it has progressively gotten

worse

> > (suprise). MTX and Arava did little for me except increase

fatigue. I

> > am considering taking enbrel and was wondering what kind of

> > experiences others have had with it. There seem to be some issues

> > surrounding its safety from what I have seen.

> >

> > Des

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think there might one or two others, but I'm not sure. Chistina Carlson is

from the Portland area. Her picture in the member photos section on the PA

website.

I glad you got approved for Enbrel. Too bad you had to fight you insurance

company for it. With Kaiser insurance, I have had absolutely no problem

getting the Enbrel. As soon the Enbrel became openly available for everyone,

my rheumy put my name in and I got set and started on Enbrel in about 2 or 3

weeks. My copays for the Enbrel are only $5 a month. Just can't beat it.

You'll love the mixing station. It looks like a phaser from Star Trek or

something.

I would love to see London some day, or any foreign country for that matter.

Are you originally from there, or is it a just a favorite place to travel to?

Carol in Vancouver, Washington

In a message dated 4/11/03 10:45:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

dcurran@... writes:

> I wonder if there are many more people in the group from the area?

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/11/2003 10:03:46 Eastern Standard Time, cacombe@...

writes:

> I think Enbrel is definitely worth a try.

>

>

I hope so. I'm going to try it myself. I simply can't stand the pain anymore.

Wish me luck.

Willois

PA for 10 years

[Guest guest]

My insurance wasn't too bad I guess.... The put up a bit of a fuss,

but I was prescribed enbrel on Tuesday and I took my first dose on

Friday. The copay was $30.00, but considering it would retail for

$1600 I won't begrudge them the $30.00..... Injecting myself wasn't

nearly as bad as I'd thought it would be, the 2 and 1/2 hours I sat

there thinking about it before I finally did it were much worse! The

needle looks much scarier than it actually is and so far I have no

noticable reaction at the injection site, so I am hopeful....

The mixing station that came with the enbrel does look pretty strange.

Originally I am from London, my parents moved there from Ireland, but

we moved to the US when I was young. My Dad had 11 kids in his family

and my mom had 5 kids in hers so I have many relatives there, they

are all fairly close (emotionally, not geographically). I have gone

back to visit many times over the years and London has become my

favorite BIG city that I have been to thus far. I hope to see Madrid,

Paris, and some others this summer if I am mobile again. One can get

a ticket quite inexpensively right now.

Des

[Guest guest]

Hi!

I am on week 6 of enbrel. I felt nothing but exhaustion and was sick

to my stomach for the first week. The second week i still felt no

relief but was a little less sick to my stomach. Week 3 wasn't sick

anymore and began to feel noticably more energy, and one morning when

the phone rang and i jumped out of bed and ran to the kitchen to

answer the phone, I said " holy crap, i just jumped out of bed and ran

to the phone! " I have had a noticable difference in fatigue and

morning stiffness. The other major effect for me it that the pain is

not gone, but I am finding it doesn't overcome me. I am still having

lots of swelling and lots of pain, but the enbrel seems to make me

feel like an " almost " human being. I have hopes that it will

continue to improve. Good luck.

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Wow, sorry to be gone for so long, dealing with 3 kids, hubby's

arthritis and my Parkinson's has taken a toll but felt I should

respond to the current enbrel discussion.

Jerry has been on Enbrel for about 2 years now and it continues to be

a wonder drug for him. It started working with the first injection,

no side effects and only 1 incidence that he had to stop for a week

or so due to a bad cold.

I hope this helps and I wish every one a happy Easter weekend.

Marcie

Seattle, WA

[Guest guest]

> Wow, sorry to be gone for so long, dealing with 3 kids, hubby's

> arthritis and my Parkinson's has taken a toll but felt I should

> respond to the current enbrel discussion.

>

> Jerry has been on Enbrel for about 2 years now and it continues to

be

> a wonder drug for him. It started working with the first

injection,

> no side effects and only 1 incidence that he had to stop for a

week

> or so due to a bad cold.

>

> I hope this helps and I wish every one a happy Easter weekend.

>

> Marcie

>

> Seattle, WA

[Guest guest]

<< " I am going to Europe for a while this summer and actually being able

to walk around and see and do what I want to would make the trip such

a gift. The last time I went I walked around the old part of London

for a few hours and really paid for it for months afterwards. (I

still enjoyed it though)I wonder if there are many more people in the group from

the area? " Des>>

Sorry Des, I am a bit behind in my emails. I lived in London for a while and I

loved it! I dream of going back one day (I am in the states now because of my

PA).

We went to visit London and Portugal last November/December (yes, the worst time

of the year to go because of the cold). I took all my pills, enbrel (needed a

signed letter from my doc to bring the Enbrel/syringes on the plane with me),

etc. and thought that all the walking would literally kill me. Strangely enough

I felt better than I had in years and only needed my pain pills after a full day

of shopping in Camden town, Covent Garden and Oxford Circus. I think the

walking did me good and the fact that I was having so much fun I didn't care if

I hurt (which I did a little). Either way you're gonna hurt might as well have

fun.

Portugal was a bit more difficult since we did more walking, especially uphill

(only the tube in Lisbon) but it was well worth it. Towards the end of the trip

we had to rent a car because I was getting tired but by the time I came home I

was feeling better than before I had left.

I guess my point of sharing this is that my PA was under better control when I

lived in Europe because I was more active. You don't do much walking in Texas.

Everyone's different though.

hope you have fun!

[Guest guest]

On 2/11/04 12:23 PM, " Ronnie " <ronevans@...> wrote:

> I have now been off of Enbrel and free of all

> medications for 1 year and am in a tedious remission.

Ronnie, what do you mean by " tedious " remission? Never heard that one

before.

Jean

[Guest guest]

I had severe Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis. After trying several

ineffective treatments including Sulfasalasine, Methotrexate, and finally

Minocine I went on Enbrel in desperation. While on Minocine for about 10

months I had sustained permanent joint damage in my hands and every scar I

had turned gray. I quit the use of Minocine and went directly on Enbrel

during a severe flare. I was on Enbrel for 1.5 years. I had an immediate

response and was completely out of pain within 2 weeks and required no other

medications including pain medications. All of the inflammation stopped.

After 1 year I gradually reduced the amount of Enbrel by spacing the

injections farther apart. I have now been off of Enbrel and free of all

medications for 1 year and am in a tedious remission. The only regret I

have is that I didn't start Enbrel sooner and sustained permanent joint

damage while insisting on messing around with antibiotics. RGDS R.E.

rheumatic Enbrel?

> Just got back from the Dermatologist because I've had various rashes for

the

> past couple of years...he checked me out and said I have psoriosis....when

> he found out I had been diagnosed with RA he said, ah you have psoriac

> arthritis (or something like that)...he said they could fix that with

> Enbrel....

>

> Anyone have any comments/experiences with Enbrel....he seemed to indicate

it

> is administered by injection, one in each thigh each week...he also said

it

> was expensive....I'm currently on Celebrex but he said I probably won't

need

> it once on Enbrel.

>

> Any comments?

>

>

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

[Guest guest]

First a brief background...I was on gold injections for 11 years and metho

for 7 years during which time my RA was under reasonable control symptom

wise, but the disease kept " simmering " as one doctor put it, gradually

causing more and more damage. I started the AP in Nov. 1997 and after a

terrible 5 month herx during which I was in more pain than I had ever been,

I gradually began to feel better. Then I had 3 good years when, during the

last of the 3 years, I was rarely even taking Relafen. What is most

surprising is that I went through 2 knee replacements and a year of panic

attack symptoms caused by swallowing difficulties from subluxations in my

neck. No one caught the neck connection--I was sent from one GI specialist

to another because it was thought that the attacks had something to do with

my digestive system since the attacks occurred only when I was eating. I

had suspected from the beginning that something was wrong with my neck to

cause this and 10 months later got myself referred to and orthopedic surgeon

who specialized in necks. I didn't flare during all of this. However,

after the neck fusion surgery which was physically and emotionally traumatic

for me, I went into a flare that lasted for 2 1/2 years until Dec. 23, 2003.

During this time, I tried clindy injections and for the first time in my

life, short 2-3 week courses of low dose prednisone, all as Dr. Brown

recommended. Nothing worked to stop the flare triggered by the surgery.

I realized something had to be done. Only one elbow will bend enough for me

to reach my mouth with my hand and I was rapidly losing the ability to bend

that elbow. Cartilage damage under one kneecap of a knee replacement was

making walking and standing up painful. Fatigue and general pain were very

bad. In addition, my CRP was sky-high and rising--normal on our scale is

less than 8, mine was 158 and rising.

Dr. Brown was willing to use NSAID's and prednisone, a serious drug--the

drugs available in his time-- when necessary to control inflammation. Those

didn't work for me. Of course we'll never know, but who is to say he

wouldn't consider Enbrel for a short time to control inflammation? Enbrel

mops up excess TNF--it doesn't remove all of it--something that people with

RA have too much of. TNF plays a major role in inflammation.

On Dec. 23, I started Enbrel injections at only half the dose because I'm

very sensitive to meds. The day of the first shot, I had so much energy at

night that I was wrapping Christmas gifts at 11:30 p.m. By the third day, I

was walking and standing up with virtually no pain and bending my right

elbow to reach my mouth with ease. I was amazed. In one month, my

hemoglobin went up 6 points and my CRP dropped 60 points to 98. My doctor

is amazed at how well I'm walking. My goal is to get the inflammation under

control and then wean off Enbrel. I'm continuing to take Minocin along with

it. Going on Enbrel was not an easy decision, but as you can imagine from

what I've written, I was getting desperate and had reached a point where

nothing was working and I was rapidly deteriorating.

I'm not recommending this course of action to anyone--what we take has to be

our own decisions.

(RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

-- Original Message -----

From: " TheMilligans " <TheMilligans@...>

" rheumatic support group " <rheumatic >

Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 9:18 PM

Subject: rheumatic Enbrel?

> Just got back from the Dermatologist because I've had various rashes for

the

> past couple of years...he checked me out and said I have psoriosis....when

> he found out I had been diagnosed with RA he said, ah you have psoriac

> arthritis (or something like that)...he said they could fix that with

> Enbrel....

>

> Anyone have any comments/experiences with Enbrel....he seemed to indicate

it

> is administered by injection, one in each thigh each week...he also said

it

> was expensive....I'm currently on Celebrex but he said I probably won't

need

> it once on Enbrel.

>

> Any comments?

>

>

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I have read the thread on enbrel. Yes it does do a lot of good.

However, there is a lot of down sides as well. I totally believe the

infectious theroy.When I flare and I have I have gone to the clindy

Ivs, to flagyl, to other antibiotics and yeast control. It has worked.

The thing about this therapy... docs are not familiar with it as the

drug reps tell them about the latest and greatest like enbrel but it

is just making the issue.

I will share this. You have to know if you have an infection on

enbrel.You MUST get off the drug if you suspect, it for a time. I had

a 37 yr old friend that had a hidden sinusitis, was not told to get

off the drug..she died. Prd has side affects but rarely death. I

consider the TNFs seious drugs as if remaining onthem, the extra tnf

IS Amopped up but then the tnf is lowered and the ability to look for

tumors is impaired. I love in a high cancer region. I would not take

Enbrel.

I have not suffered further joint damage with minocin but I have

worked hard on supplements, diet and Alt txs to keep me going and yes

alive as I would not be if I had remained on mtx.

Keep tabs on your blood work.

Minocin does work..well!

Love Marge

> I had severe Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis. After trying

several

> ineffective treatments including Sulfasalasine, Methotrexate, and

finally

> Minocine I went on Enbrel in desperation. While on Minocine for

about 10

> months I had sustained permanent joint damage in my hands and

every scar I

> had turned gray. I quit the use of Minocine and went directly on

Enbrel

> during a severe flare. I was on Enbrel for 1.5 years. I had an

immediate

> response and was completely out of pain within 2 weeks and required

no other

> medications including pain medications. All of the inflammation

stopped.

> After 1 year I gradually reduced the amount of Enbrel by spacing the

> injections farther apart. I have now been off of Enbrel and free

of all

> medications for 1 year and am in a tedious remission. The only

regret I

> have is that I didn't start Enbrel sooner and sustained permanent

joint

> damage while insisting on messing around with antibiotics. RGDS

R.E.

> rheumatic Enbrel?

>

>

> > Just got back from the Dermatologist because I've had various

rashes for

> the

> > past couple of years...he checked me out and said I have

psoriosis....when

> > he found out I had been diagnosed with RA he said, ah you have

psoriac

> > arthritis (or something like that)...he said they could fix that

with

> > Enbrel....

> >

> > Anyone have any comments/experiences with Enbrel....he seemed to

indicate

> it

> > is administered by injection, one in each thigh each week...he

also said

> it

> > was expensive....I'm currently on Celebrex but he said I probably

won't

> need

> > it once on Enbrel.

> >

> > Any comments?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Something interesting about Enbrel. My rheumy won't put me on it (or any

of the new ones) because I had cancer 3 years ago. She said I would need

to be at least 5 years in remission before she would consider it. I

asked her if it was carcinogenic and she said that the jury was still

out on that but that theoretically it could be. Not that I wanted it,

but I found it interesting...

I really hope that the AP and/or cocktail will work for me someday

because I really do NOT want to go on any of these new drugs - we're all

just guinea pigs for the drug companies - they have no idea of the

long-term safety of these things....

Regards,

elfmarge wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I have read the thread on enbrel. Yes it does do a lot of good.

> However, there is a lot of down sides as well. I totally believe the

> infectious theroy.When I flare and I have I have gone to the clindy

> Ivs, to flagyl, to other antibiotics and yeast control. It has worked.

> The thing about this therapy... docs are not familiar with it as the

> drug reps tell them about the latest and greatest like enbrel but it

> is just making the issue.

>

> I will share this. You have to know if you have an infection on

> enbrel.You MUST get off the drug if you suspect, it for a time. I had

> a 37 yr old friend that had a hidden sinusitis, was not told to get

> off the drug..she died. Prd has side affects but rarely death. I

> consider the TNFs seious drugs as if remaining onthem, the extra tnf

> IS Amopped up but then the tnf is lowered and the ability to look for

> tumors is impaired. I love in a high cancer region. I would not take

> Enbrel.

>

>

> I have not suffered further joint damage with minocin but I have

> worked hard on supplements, diet and Alt txs to keep me going and yes

> alive as I would not be if I had remained on mtx.

> Keep tabs on your blood work.

>

> Minocin does work..well!

>

> Love Marge

>

>

>

>

> > I had severe Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis. After trying

> several

> > ineffective treatments including Sulfasalasine, Methotrexate, and

> finally

> > Minocine I went on Enbrel in desperation. While on Minocine for

> about 10

> > months I had sustained permanent joint damage in my hands and

> every scar I

> > had turned gray. I quit the use of Minocine and went directly on

> Enbrel

> > during a severe flare. I was on Enbrel for 1.5 years. I had an

> immediate

> > response and was completely out of pain within 2 weeks and required

> no other

> > medications including pain medications. All of the inflammation

> stopped.

> > After 1 year I gradually reduced the amount of Enbrel by spacing the

> > injections farther apart. I have now been off of Enbrel and free

> of all

> > medications for 1 year and am in a tedious remission. The only

> regret I

> > have is that I didn't start Enbrel sooner and sustained permanent

> joint

> > damage while insisting on messing around with antibiotics. RGDS

> R.E.

> > rheumatic Enbrel?

> >

> >

> > > Just got back from the Dermatologist because I've had various

> rashes for

> > the

> > > past couple of years...he checked me out and said I have

> psoriosis....when

> > > he found out I had been diagnosed with RA he said, ah you have

> psoriac

> > > arthritis (or something like that)...he said they could fix that

> with

> > > Enbrel....

> > >

> > > Anyone have any comments/experiences with Enbrel....he seemed to

> indicate

> > it

> > > is administered by injection, one in each thigh each week...he

> also said

> > it

> > > was expensive....I'm currently on Celebrex but he said I probably

> won't

> > need

> > > it once on Enbrel.

> > >

> > > Any comments?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

OK....went to see the rheumie today....basically, she said in my case, if the

psoriac arthritis isn't severe it really isn't worth going on enbrel....mine

isn't severe (at this point)...just have a few " patches " on my body and they

seem to be getting better with the ointments the dermatologist gave me.....but I

will say that as I recall it IS a bit amusing how the dermi's eyes lit up when

he realized I have RA and he considered the prospects of enbrel, he had just

gotten back from a conference where they discussed the usage of enbrel to fight

PA, mentioned that to the RA and she said " back in the day " Methotrexate was

used for PA....then they tried it on RA and it worked....now it is the

reverse....Enbrel was first approved for RA and now they are finding it works

for PA too...she said Enbrel is the payback....guess it is an inside RA/Dermi

joke....heheh.

After speaking with the rheumie I realize Enbrel is an immune system

suppresent.....I don't want to take ANYTHING that weakens my immune system....as

I understand it that is part of the problem we have...a weak immune system....to

me it makes so much more sense to strenghten it!...

SO....I will continue with the Mino twice daily and Celebrex as needed.....in

the past she wanted me to take Celebrex religiously but now she says I don't

need to take it if I don't need it...BUT there is no need to be in pain (she

says)....if I need it take two or up to three a day on rough days.....\

tony

rheumatic Enbrel?

Just got back from the Dermatologist because I've had various rashes for the

past couple of years...he checked me out and said I have psoriosis....when

he found out I had been diagnosed with RA he said, ah you have psoriac

arthritis (or something like that)...he said they could fix that with

Enbrel....

Anyone have any comments/experiences with Enbrel....he seemed to indicate it

is administered by injection, one in each thigh each week...he also said it

was expensive....I'm currently on Celebrex but he said I probably won't need

it once on Enbrel.

Any comments?

To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Hello Beth

What type of Enbrel shot are you taking? I started a year ago with the 25 mg

twice a week. It wasn't that bad. Then someone at work told me that Enbrel had

a once-a-week 50 mg shot. I though great, once a week has to be better than

twice. Well, that was a big mistake. It hurt like crazy. The actual needle hurt

(it dragged on my skin) and the liquid burned. I didn't see how this was

possible and called my pharmacy. They told me (my doctor did as well) that a lot

of people were experiencing the same problem. The 50 mg shot which is premixed

has slightly different ingredients and behaves differently. Well, I am back to

the 25 mg twice a week and it's a breeze. No real pain at all. If I had

started on the 50 mg shot I don't think I would still be taking it.

Hope this helps

Babs

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I have been on Enbrel for months now, my husband gives me two shots a

week and I don't even feel the needle at all.

Check with your doctor.

Corinne

Beth wrote:

> I have taken two Enbrel shots last week and this week.

> Does it get any easier after you have taken the shots

> for a while? My husband gives them to me, he is an EMT

> so I know he knows what he is doing. But it sure does

> hurt. There is no way that I could give myself those

> shots. I have to get them in my thighs because that is

> where I have the most fat. I pray for all of you

> everyday. Thanks for the info.

> Beth in Arkansas

>

>

>

> ____________________________________________________

> Sports

> Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football

> http://football.fantasysports.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

They're not supposed to hurt, Beth. I guess that's no consolation to

you, since yours do hurt. I was about as needlephobic as you can get,

but I give myself the Enbrel shots. I inject into my stomach, where I

have lots of loose skin from having babies. I would think that a shot

in the thigh would hurt, although I've never tried it. Why don't you

try the stomach and see if it hurts less?

Does your husband stick the needle straight in, or at an angle? I do it

at an angle, so it doesn't go as deep. Before injecting, I pinch up the

area. Then, I release the pinch once the needle is in. Also, are you

using the 25 mg or the 50 mg? I tried the once-weekly 50 mg, and those

needles were so dull that they did hurt.

I hope you can figure out a less painful way to inject the Enbrel, and

I hope that it's helping your RA. Sue

On Thursday, June 23, 2005, at 09:58 PM, Beth wrote:

> I have taken two Enbrel shots last week and this week.

> Does it get any easier after you have taken the shots

> for a while? My husband gives them to me, he is an EMT

> so I know he knows what he is doing. But it sure does

> hurt. There is no way that I could give myself those

> shots. I have to get them in my thighs because that is

> where I have the most fat. I pray for all of you

> everyday. Thanks for the info.

[Guest guest]

Beth,

I use to take the Humira. I never thought I could give the injection

myself, but I did. You do get use to it, just takes a little while.

When I first started the Humira it would sting really bad, swell

some. But, after awhile I never had any problems. So, just give it a

little time, and it will get better.

Tawny

> I have taken two Enbrel shots last week and this week.

> Does it get any easier after you have taken the shots

> for a while? My husband gives them to me, he is an EMT

> so I know he knows what he is doing. But it sure does

> hurt. There is no way that I could give myself those

> shots. I have to get them in my thighs because that is

> where I have the most fat. I pray for all of you

> everyday. Thanks for the info.

> Beth in Arkansas

>

>

>

> ____________________________________________________

> Sports

> Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football

> http://football.fantasysports.

[Guest guest]

I have been on the Enbrel for almost a year now. Very few of the

injections of actually hurt. Sometimes it burns. Giving it in the

leg can be very painful. I tried that once. That's all it took!!

Try going for the abdomen. Stay away from the belly button ( about 2

inches). Also, you can use the arm. That usually works really well,

too. Take care, Marina

[Guest guest]

You must have started enbrel the same week I did

because I just took my second shot this morning. As

far as pain goes, I do feel some burning/stinging when

I do it that's why you have to go slow. Inject a

little and then wait until the burning goes away and

so on. Don't try to inject all in one push. I was

warned ahead of time by my best friend who's taking it

for psoriatic arthritis. But, she made it sound like

it was going to be this awful burning and it was not

as bad as she made it out to be. That might be

different for you b/c we're all different when it

comes to taking meds. The needle itself shouldn't be

hurting you. If you 'punch' it in like a dart you

should hardly feel it at all. Anyway, much luck and

keep us updated!

louisiana

--- Beth <mightybeth2001@...> wrote:

> I have taken two Enbrel shots last week and this

> week.

> Does it get any easier after you have taken the

> shots

> for a while? My husband gives them to me, he is an

> EMT

> so I know he knows what he is doing. But it sure

> does

> hurt. There is no way that I could give myself those

> shots. I have to get them in my thighs because that

> is

> where I have the most fat. I pray for all of you

> everyday. Thanks for the info.

> Beth in Arkansas

>

>

>

> ____________________________________________________

>

> Sports

> Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football

>

> http://football.fantasysports.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Beth,

My husband give mine in the loose skin on the backs of my arms. Most

times, I feel hardly nothing. Occasionally one will sting.

I hope the Enbrel helps.

a

On Jun 23, 2005, at 9:58 PM, Beth wrote:

> I have taken two Enbrel shots last week and this week.

> Does it get any easier after you have taken the shots

> for a while? My husband gives them to me, he is an EMT

> so I know he knows what he is doing. But it sure does

> hurt. There is no way that I could give myself those

> shots. I have to get them in my thighs because that is

> where I have the most fat. I pray for all of you

> everyday. Thanks for the info.

> Beth in Arkansas

>

>

>            

> ____________________________________________________

> Sports

> Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football

> http://football.fantasysports.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am taking the 50 mg once a week. And it is terrible.

I really hope it gets better. Thanks.

Beth in Arkansas

--- jmorob@... wrote:

> Hello Beth

>

> What type of Enbrel shot are you taking? I started a

> year ago with the 25 mg

> twice a week. It wasn't that bad. Then someone at

> work told me that Enbrel had

> a once-a-week 50 mg shot. I though great, once a

> week has to be better than

> twice. Well, that was a big mistake. It hurt like

> crazy. The actual needle hurt

> (it dragged on my skin) and the liquid burned. I

> didn't see how this was

> possible and called my pharmacy. They told me (my

> doctor did as well) that a lot

> of people were experiencing the same problem. The 50

> mg shot which is premixed

> has slightly different ingredients and behaves

> differently. Well, I am back to

> the 25 mg twice a week and it's a breeze. No real

> pain at all. If I had

> started on the 50 mg shot I don't think I would

> still be taking it.

>

> Hope this helps

> Babs

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>

>

____________________________________________________

Sports

Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football

http://football.fantasysports.