Good results from Embrel after two months

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Comment by liz constable on February 10, 2013 at 10:46am

Glad to read of your wonderful progress! i lurk here...still fearful of strating up on this drug because of side effects...I've been a baby about this for two years...and really...my body is in pain but I guess I suffer on ..still afraid of what could happen...

My hands are actually so deformed from arthritis at this point that I would need to go to the Dr office just to have them inject me...everything you describe: wooden feet in the morning, low back pain...stiffness..I have it all...But..

Are you taking any other drugs with the Enbrel?

I just have to get to the point where I'll do this...
Your story is encouraging to me because I see that YOU had some progress...and it did happen fairly quickly.
I've asked the doctors....How long of a try would I have to give this before I know if it's going to help at all?

At this time, I'm set up for a minor hand surgery on Feb 12, so can't start it...
That's more of a reason the Biologic drugs worry me...
I have several auto- immune conditions, some of which do flare and can cause skin eruptions...that could become infected..
I'm mostly afraid of some infection while on Enbrel...and having it get out of control....

But...your story is encouraging...please stay in contact.
Best regards,
Liz

Comment by bella on February 7, 2013 at 4:27am

In regards to side effects. I don't have any real side effects from Embrel so far.  I do get a bit of a red patch which is about 4cm or 1 and a half inches in diameter at the injection sife.  It does say on the pamphlet this can happen and it can take three months to settle down. So I don't really regard this as a full true side effect.  This red patch gets a little itchy but is getting less itchy each week it did concern me a bit when it itched as there was no mention of itching but is was so mild.   I got very tied a few hours after I injected and on the following day for the first three weeks.  That has passed now.  I am still on Mtx and Sulphasalazine until my next visit with my Rheumy and he may start reducing these meds. I had some diahorrea in the beginning, but that may or may not been the Embrel as I cut out bread for a while and I was eating mainly a salad diet.  I stopped the Sulpha because I thought it was that as one day I took it later in the day than usual and it seemed to be the cause and then I got worse without taking it so I gradually reintroduced it and I was fine.  I would say it was my dieting.

I have been able to cut back on Cellabrex a NSAID which I now think was causing me to be short of breath and I am no longer as short of breath.  I have stopped Tramal for pain relief which was making me feel so ill, foggy headed and drugged up to my eyeballs.  I always avoided Tramal as much as I could.  I did have some problems using the injection pen until I got the hang of it.   It only takes a couple of seconds and hurts less in a fatty spot.  I use my stomach area and don't do it in the same place.  I wasn't pushing it in hard enough to indent my skin before I clicked it.  This tid bit of information might help someone. 

I do take Panadol or Panadol Osteo only once or twice a day and not every day if I can't tolerate my pain. I can't take asprin or codiene because it affects my stomach. 

I do hope that others also get some positive results as well. I work on the principle that when fear is related to the unknown it can never be resolved.  You will never know what might work unless you give it a try.

I do very much appreciate this site and reading the comments, so much information for those who do know. Thanks everyone for being part of this community.

 

 

Comment by Sherry on February 6, 2013 at 2:35pm

I'm glad things have improved for you on the Enbrel!! I'm so sorry that you were going through so much pain! 

Comment by mamartin1014 on February 6, 2013 at 10:21am

I have been on medications for PSA since the age of 16 I am now 51 unfortunately there are side effects to every medicine but you have to measure whether the results that improve our quality of life outweigh the chance of side effects.  I have never had anything show up in my bloodwork and I have been on every medication including all of the biologics and IV infusion drugs.

Comment by siskiya on February 6, 2013 at 9:09am

What about all the negative side effects? I am so nervous about them that i am hesitant to try it. 

 But i appreciate the glowing review of it as i am very stiff also in am's  have issues opening things with my hands etc...i hurt so much at night sleeping more than hour is wonderful if i can. 

  How concerned  are you about side effects?  I know at times when i was working, I felt just give me some more energy and movement so i can keep going.

                                                      but i think it is great it has worked so well for you! 

Comment by GwynnethP on February 6, 2013 at 8:36am

That's splendid news! I start taking enbrel next week so you've really filled me with hope that it'll work.

Comment by Karen on February 6, 2013 at 7:52am

Me too hon  I was so cautious at first. It took me two months just to decide to start it. Now. I'm like what was I waiting for. Lol. Things most of the time are better. Just to not have that gnawing pain was the best. I was afraid I would have to quit working...so far so good. My rhemy appt is next wed. I think he will be amazed himself. Keep me posted on your progress. Huggs. 

Comment by Bratt3120 on February 6, 2013 at 7:45am

Awesome!!!

Comment by mamartin1014 on February 6, 2013 at 7:09am

Congratulations!  It is so nice to feel better!  I hope Enbrel lasts indefinitely for you!

Comment by Rebel mom on February 5, 2013 at 9:38pm

Yeah!

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