Re: Hey, it's an Enbrel getting FAT- update

[Guest guest]

I'm using enbrel, and yes, I have gained weight; however, what a change in

my lifestyle since I started the injections 6 months ago. I had to

decide--do I want to lose weight, or do I want to have less pain. It was no

contest--I love the new mobility that I have and wouldn't trade it for those

18 lbs any day!!!

I asked my doctor about the weight gain, and he had just gotten the 12

studies in and there was no indication that there was a connection between

weight gain and use of enbrel. What can I say. I don't know if there is or

not, and my weight gain evened out when I got my cravings under control.

Quite frankly, I think that the enbrel may have helped give me those

cravings, especially for salty, but I still made the decision to eat those

foods. Like Dr. R said, don't buy any more junk food and eat less and

you'll lose, regardless of whether you are on enbrel or not.

Some day I may try another medication, if this doesn't work, but right now,

I'd rather be fat than hurt!

>From: " micahere " <mica393@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Hey, it's an Enbrel getting FAT- update

>Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 00:44:13 -0000

>

>Hi guys! thanks for your input... I quit Enbrel two weeks ago

>because I had put on 14 pounds in two months. I had been on Humira

>before that, but freaked out because of the huge welts I was

>getting, even though my physical capabilities were increasing. I

>have already dropped 5 pounds or so and plan on going back on Humira

>tomarrow. I'm still alittle afraid to be on biologics- but I can

>trot down the road on them which is a Miracle. I mean, PA was eating

>my body alive! After 10 or so years there aren't many joints or

>parts of my spinal column that aren't disintergrated- and that's bad

>for in your 40's. So, here I go... Thanks & Peace -M

>

>[Editor's Note: Mica, I freeze the injection site before injecting Humira

>by holding a box of frozen corn (or some other delicacy - frozen peas work

>just as well LOL) on my thigh for several minutes. I also let the Humira

>come to room temperature before injecting. Lastly, someone suggested

>injecting really slowly (which I now do) and since I've tried all these

>things, my site reactions have all but disappeared and the Humira burns a

>lot less on the way in! I used to have a whopping big rosy-red welt and

>now you can hardly see where I've injected. Hope these " tricks " will work

>for you. Kathy F.]

>

_________________________________________________________________

Stop worrying about overloading your inbox - get MSN Hotmail Extra Storage!

http://join.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200362ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/27/2004 2:01:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

mica393@... writes:

Editor's Note: Mica, I freeze the injection site before injecting Humira by

holding a box of frozen corn (or some other delicacy - frozen peas work just

as well LOL) on my thigh for several minutes. I also let the Humira come to

room temperature before injecting. Lastly, someone suggested injecting really

slowly (which I now do)

-------------

I do all of that also and it really lessens the stinging. I have been on

Humira 2 months and I find it is taking some of the edge off but not completely.

Has anyone on this improved more after 2 months? I went to the rheumy

yesterday and my right ankle was swollen so he injected it with cortisone and

said

to give the Humira a little more time. He said I am a puzzle since the

Enbrel did nothing and I should be better then this on Humira already.

Hopefully a

little more time will help. Is anyone taking Humira every week??

JANET

[Editor's Note: Janet, I began to feel better after about 8 weeks, but didn't

really start saying hallelujah until about my 10th week on Humira. I am still

taking injections only once every two weeks rather than weekly. Humira's been

great to me but it certainly won't work for everyone. Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

I too, gained on Enbrel mainly for my cravings for food--especially upping my

soda intake to three-four a day. YIKES.

In a week of just starting to cut back, and starting to learn to control my

cravings (cut the soda down to two a day, like I wwas before) and watching WHAT

I eat, I think I have succeed in taking 5 lbs of the 20 I gained off in a week

flat. And I had been a bit too inactive due to the gas prices and low money,

been stuck at home, just sitting here not doing much. Need to get out more again

and be more active. That will help too.

So yes, and her doctor are correct. Even my dermo said the same thing--she

thinks that I am feeling better so I am craving more food. You may have a little

bit of weight gain, but you CAN keep it in control if you learn how to control

the cravings and keep them to a minimum. I am on disability, and mom is

retired, so we can't afford me to gain all over again what I had worked so hard

to lose (I had gained 100 lbs due to psychiatric medications in the

past--succeeded in losing 60 of it last year and a half). Clothes are NOT cheap.

That is what helps me hold my cravings back--I say " I cant afford clothes all

over again! "

LeAnn Cayer & Furbrats Blossom & Meriko

Heart Bandits American Eskimo Dog Rescue

Oklahoma Referral Chapter

Railroad Coordinator

www.heartbandits.com

[Guest guest]

hi,

doctors never see connection. my doc also sees no

connection. I'm always bitter when i hear no

connection because the company that produces the

medicine sees no connection. i think there is

connection but yje various madicin institutions prefer

to ignore it.

ariek

--- L Nixon <lanixon@...> wrote:

> I'm using enbrel, and yes, I have gained weight;

> however, what a change in

> my lifestyle since I started the injections 6 months

> ago. I had to

> decide--do I want to lose weight, or do I want to

> have less pain. It was no

> contest--I love the new mobility that I have and

> wouldn't trade it for those

> 18 lbs any day!!!

>

> I asked my doctor about the weight gain, and he had

> just gotten the 12

> studies in and there was no indication that there

> was a connection between

> weight gain and use of enbrel. What can I say. I

> don't know if there is or

> not, and my weight gain evened out when I got my

> cravings under control.

> Quite frankly, I think that the enbrel may have

> helped give me those

> cravings, especially for salty, but I still made the

> decision to eat those

> foods. Like Dr. R said, don't buy any more junk

> food and eat less and

> you'll lose, regardless of whether you are on enbrel

> or not.

>

> Some day I may try another medication, if this

> doesn't work, but right now,

> I'd rather be fat than hurt!

>

>