Re: - reply to Betsy

[Guest guest]

Hi Betsy,

I have been on Enbrel (plus Methotrexate) for 2 years now. I still have

occasional flares, someseasonal and some when there are stressors in my busy

life. Overall, the combination drugs have made my life somewhat normal. The

Enbrel folks at Enliven have been great in answering questions about the drug,

and my rheumy is great.

Do be sure not to stick the needle straight in, but use a 45 degree angle. It

should go all the way in though.You are supposed to inject under the skin and

not into a vein. I also found that the 50 mg once-a-week dose stings a bit more

than the former twice-a-week. The nurses at Enliven thought this may be due to

the preservative they use to keep the drug from spoiling.

I don't inject into my thigh. I have always used the belly; pinch a little fat

(plenty of it lol) and I find the needle goes in painlessly. If the fluid stings

a bit, I just use the mantra " it's working, it's working " . Occasionally I get a

little red spot where I inject, but it goes away within a few days and has never

bothered me.

I take 15 mg of Metho these days (down from 20). The day after, I take a dose of

prescribed Leucovorin (a folic acid cocktail). On the other days I take a daily

dose of folic acid, vitamin E and B-complex. Folic acid by the way does nothing

for pain or tiredness; it is supposed to protect your liver from the metho and

enbrel fall-out. The Enbrel will help with the tiredness, but it took a month or

so for me to get the full effects of the combination.

For pain, my doctor prescribed Diclofenac, which he says is a bit less harmfull

to the stomach or kidneys than other NSAIDs.

Good luck with the drugs; I've been fortunate to have them work for me - hope it

lasts!

Best Wishes,

e van Gils in Mass

[Guest guest]

Thank you e. I am going to use your mantra. My Hematologist prescribed

Folic Acid to me but I never knew exactly what it's purpose was. I figured I was

deficient in it. I am learning to ask questions and I will see him Tuesday and

ask then. It makes sense to me that it is to protect the liver. I wish you well

and I will consider all that you have said. Thank you again. -Betz

e van Gils <avangils@...> wrote: Hi Betsy,

I have been on Enbrel (plus Methotrexate) for 2 years now. I still have

occasional flares, someseasonal and some when there are stressors in my busy

life. Overall, the combination drugs have made my life somewhat normal. The

Enbrel folks at Enliven have been great in answering questions about the drug,

and my rheumy is great.

Do be sure not to stick the needle straight in, but use a 45 degree angle. It

should go all the way in though.You are supposed to inject under the skin and

not into a vein. I also found that the 50 mg once-a-week dose stings a bit more

than the former twice-a-week. The nurses at Enliven thought this may be due to

the preservative they use to keep the drug from spoiling.

I don't inject into my thigh. I have always used the belly; pinch a little fat

(plenty of it lol) and I find the needle goes in painlessly. If the fluid stings

a bit, I just use the mantra " it's working, it's working " . Occasionally I get a

little red spot where I inject, but it goes away within a few days and has never

bothered me.

I take 15 mg of Metho these days (down from 20). The day after, I take a dose of

prescribed Leucovorin (a folic acid cocktail). On the other days I take a daily

dose of folic acid, vitamin E and B-complex. Folic acid by the way does nothing

for pain or tiredness; it is supposed to protect your liver from the metho and

enbrel fall-out. The Enbrel will help with the tiredness, but it took a month or

so for me to get the full effects of the combination.

For pain, my doctor prescribed Diclofenac, which he says is a bit less harmfull

to the stomach or kidneys than other NSAIDs.

Good luck with the drugs; I've been fortunate to have them work for me - hope it

lasts!

Best Wishes,

e van Gils in Mass