Re: Any new thoughts on Enbrel?

July 8, 2001

I too have tried several different things so far for my PA (I also have

fibromyalgia). I noticed that when my rheumy wants to get things approved

for me, he puts down polyarthritis. Anyway, I have been on Enbrel for

several months, seemed like I wasn't getting anywhere for a while and he had

me up to taking it three times a week. Now I have been taken off the MTX and

no more Vioxx (was very hard on my stomach). I am back to injections twice a

week and have now begun Arava. I hope it isn't my imagination, but I am

starting to feel a little better. The next step for me was the Remicade and

I wasn't ready for that yet so I hope this is successful for me.

You mentioned poking yourself in the tummy or thigh? I have never heard of

it being injected into the tummy, only the thigh or the back of the arm. MTX

injections can go in the tummy though. The MTX is sometimes used by

dermatologists for the psoriasis according to my rheumy but he said it is

given in much higher doses than what I was on (12.5 mg a week). Best wishes!

D in MN

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yes, according to Immunex the third injection site is around the belly button.

Very easy site to use since easy to get to and not as much muscle mass as the

legs:-) PatB

July 9, 2001

Hi -good luck with the Enbrel. My husband has been on it since

December and it is truly a wonder drug for him. He has had to buy

smaller shoes because the swelling in his toes has gone down so

much. He now only takes an occassional Vioxx.

I, on the other hand, have been on Enbrel (among several others-

prednisone, celebrex - side note-I recently switched to hubby's Vioxx

and have better pain relief than w/the Celebrex, plaquenil,

mirapex...) for 5 weeks now and have not had much relief from the

pain YET. I am still hoping...

The letter my doc wrote didn't even state a specific dx. Just said

that " she suffers from severe inflammitory arthritis with persistant

synovitis and is steroid dependent, which is concerning " .

Anyway-the shots aren't too bad. I did Jerry's for a while and now

he does them himself in the stomach. I have been doing mine in the

thigh and have managed to bruise myself up pretty good!

Take care and keep us posted...

Marcie

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