Re: Re: Enbrel & PA & Flares

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry you are feeling so terrible. I fought taking any meds (except

for NSAIDS) since 2000 and finally started Enbrel over the Summer. What I

can tell you:

-the " thought " is worse than the needles...it really doesn't hurt...

-You will have to see what ins. covers ...it is VERY expensive...

-It took about 1 & 1/2 months to kick in...i could finally " move "

again...like a miracle!

-I experienced no side affects at all

-They just changed to a new mixing method and smaller needle and it's great

-You now have the choice (up to your Dr.) on injecting 2 times a week or

just take the 2 injections the same day to get it over with....I still stick

(no pun intended!) to the 2 times a week.

Hope this helps you and I will remember you in my prayers,

Carole

>From: " DeafEskie " <DeafEskie@...>

>Reply-

>< >

>Subject: [ ] Re: Enbrel & PA & Flares

>Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 18:02:11 -0600

>

>

>Hello all,

>

><SIGH>. The worst flare of my life has arrived. Even though I am on

>Soriatane I am in excruitating pain. It hurt to even lay on the bed last

>night. Anything touches me it hurts. I have just gotten over a bladder and

>sinus infection. My hands are an angry red, raw and swollen. My skin

>alternates between too pale and red in all different places. To top that

>off, my hands/fingers/feet/toes are always ice cold. And I am weak.

>Cannot

>lift much.

>

>Now my favorite dermo over at OU is talking about Enbrel. She feels I need

>it to get me out of this flare. I am scared. I hate needles. Isn't enbrel

>a biologic? Will medicare/medicaid even cover this?!?!??! We are waiting

>to

>find out--I am assuming that the clinic plans to deal with both medicare

>and medicaid to get it authorized.

>

>I know enbrel is probably an old topic, but I am too sick to care to search

>through archives. If someone could share their experiences and explain how

>Enbrel works, I would really appreciate it. Right now I am drugged up on

>10

>days of Prednisone (back on it), Flexeril for muscle spasms, Lortabs for

>pain, Naproxen for pain, Soriatane & other meds I have to take.

>

>I pray I can sleep tonite! Please keep me in your prayers--I am flying to

>Denver tomorrow. I hope the pain will have allievated somewhat by then....

>

>

>LeAnn Cayer & Furbrats Blossom & Meriko

>Heart Bandits American Eskimo Dog Rescue

>Railroad Coordinator www.heartbandits.com

>

>

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>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

My heart goes out to you. I hope that you will get some relief soon. There

is no reson to be afraid of the Enbrel needles. The new system is just about

painless. Of course you will have to wait until your infections clear up.

Personally I have not even had as much as a cold while on Enbrel. Enbrel started

working for me the first evening I took it. However, for me, I think that

the good effect is starting to wear off after 2 1/2 years. I will say a prayer,

or two, for you. Hope things are better especially for the holidays. Peggy

B.

[Guest guest]

Your flare sounds a lot like my first one. I ended up in the hospital for

several days while they pumped me full of cortisone, antiviral, and

antibiotics...It was pretty scary. I know that Medicare in my state pays for

Remicade infusions, but not Enbril [except maybe for RA...don't know about that]

The difference is that Remicade has to be administered at a clinic or hospital

while Enbril can be taken care of in the home...dumb, but Medicare has some dumb

rules. Sylvia

DeafEskie <DeafEskie@...> wrote:

Hello all,

.. The worst flare of my life has arrived. Even though I am on

Soriatane I am in excruitating pain. It hurt to even lay on the bed last

night. Anything touches me it hurts. I have just gotten over a bladder and

sinus infection. My hands are an angry red, raw and swollen. My skin

alternates between too pale and red in all different places. To top that

off, my hands/fingers/feet/toes are always ice cold. And I am weak. Cannot

lift much.

Now my favorite dermo over at OU is talking about Enbrel. She feels I need

it to get me out of this flare. I am scared. I hate needles. Isn't enbrel

a biologic? Will medicare/medicaid even cover this?!?!??! We are waiting to

find out--I am assuming that the clinic plans to deal with both medicare

and medicaid to get it authorized.

I know enbrel is probably an old topic, but I am too sick to care to search

through archives. If someone could share their experiences and explain how

Enbrel works, I would really appreciate it. Right now I am drugged up on 10

days of Prednisone (back on it), Flexeril for muscle spasms, Lortabs for

pain, Naproxen for pain, Soriatane & other meds I have to take.

I pray I can sleep tonite! Please keep me in your prayers--I am flying to

Denver tomorrow. I hope the pain will have allievated somewhat by then....

LeAnn Cayer & Furbrats Blossom & Meriko

Heart Bandits American Eskimo Dog Rescue

Railroad Coordinator www.heartbandits.com

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