Enbrel

[Guest guest]

that is good news to hear!!! i gave myself the injection ok, no problem. i'd

rather do this, than go to an office and get attached to an iv for hours

[Guest guest]

I was Enbrel for three months. Unfortunately I was an Enbrel dropout. It

didn't do anything for me. I was also taking Arava with it. Good luck to

you. How it works the wonders for you it has for others. Tery - FL

[Guest guest]

<< that is good news to hear!!! i gave myself the injection ok, no problem.

i'd

rather do this, than go to an office and get attached to an iv for hours >>

As one of those who have to go sit in the office (actually I go to a cancer

treatment facility) for " hours " to get an IV, to me it is well worth it.

Even though so far Remicade hasn't worked for me, I've been through so many

drugs, pain and suffering I'll try anything that has a possibility of

working. It only takes me about 2 1/2 to 3 hours when I go. I do go home

and lie down because it makes me so tired, so on treatment days I do miss

almost a whole days work, but to me it is worth it, but I do agree I tried

Enbrel first.

Tery - FL

[Guest guest]

I INJECT MY SELF ON THE TUMMY, LEGS, BUT INEED HELP WITH MY ARMS

[Guest guest]

thanks i was on arava for awhile, i didn't like how i felt

[Guest guest]

yes i agree whatever works, just trying this first. how is it working so far?

do you feel any better?

[Guest guest]

Jeannette,

I'm glad things are finally turning around for you. You've had a rough year.

I had never heard that you had to take Enbrel with mtx. Matter of fact I

know a lot of people who don't take both, on this list and asa. When I took

it I took it with Arava, but only because my RD said " just in case the Arava

is doing something, even though we don't think it is " . Not because it was

recommended by anyone. Since neither one did anything we dropped both as you

know.

I hope Arava works for you with no side affects. Good luck. Tery

[Guest guest]

a

I did not know that until today. The reason my dr. is not giving me Enbrel

is because my joints were not swollen enough he says to warrant the expense

with my health plan. Thus, my dr. is kissing the HMO's you know what.

Personally, I think he is taking a chance with my liver by putting me on

Arava in the event I may react differently than the MTX. My hands are tied

though. The dr. has to make the recommendation. I am not happy with his

choice but..................

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Jeanette,

When I was having my troubles with Arava I called the manufacturer. They

told me that Arava can stay in the body for months and that there is an

elimination drug that can be used if liver enzymes don;t resolve in an

acceptable time. they were a little concerned that my MD used this drug

knowing what he did about my history of recurring sgot/sgpt elevations. just

wanted to let you know, not to scare you or anything, just so you're

informed. I hope it works for you, I liked what it did to my RA, but not my

liver.

Thanks for the nice post abour Sophie,today is much easier then yesterday,

but still hard

Barb

-----Original Message-----

From: ednettieolson@... <ednettieolson@...>

egroups < egroups>; anncan@...

<anncan@...>; trophy@... <trophy@...>;

docarcher@... <docarcher@...>; johnchay@...

<johnchay@...>; advair@... <advair@...>;

rojakort@... <rojakort@...>; PAPrichard@...

<PAPrichard@...>; jims@... <jims@...>;

neilgerl@... <neilgerl@...>; mgerl@...

<mgerl@...>; Belott@... <Belott@...>

Date: Thursday, December 07, 2000 12:26 PM

Subject: [ ] Enbrel

>Hey Group and friends and family:

>

>I just heard from somebody (a person in another group I was in) who knows

>quite a bit about RA meds etc. She said Enbrel can be taken without MTX

>and/or Arava so if the Arava does not work for me, I still have something

>else to try, if the dr. will go to bat for me with the insurance company.

I

>am sure he will; he has been a great dr. all along. That gives me

something

>to hope for at least. In case you did not know, my dr. changed me from

>Methtrexate to Arava because my liver enzymes were elevating to much and

too

>high. Arava has virtually the same possible side effects as Methotrexate

but

>he is hoping I react differently to the Arava. I have been flaring some

and

>have been having to pace myself quite alot and/or rest quite alot and take

>pain meds quite alot.

>

>I also wanted to tell you about something that happened yesterday. I

wanted

>to buy a gun cabinet for my husband for X-mas. He mentioned how nice it

>would be to have one so I thought hey, perfect gift if not too expensive.

>So, I went to Fleet Farm and they had Sauder wood gun cabinets but were all

>out of them. They called the two stores in Green Bay and they were also

out

>of them. So, I went to Home Depot, they did not have them. I then went to

>Dick's Sporting Goods and yes, they did not even carry them. However,

there

>was a woman (customer) in there who over heard me asking. She said that

Home

>Concepts, a store which I never knew about carries Sauder items (they are

the

>self assemble items). I went over to the store and they had ONE left. I

>told them they made my day. It was also on sale for only $99.99 which

really

>made my day. I had my step son pick it up and take it over to his house

>until X-mas. Thus, yesterday was not a total wash out. I am beginning to

>pick up my spirits again.

>

>I also got in the mail that I am eligible for Medicare starting March. We

>are going to take it in the event that my husband should lose his job or go

>free lance instead. Then I will be covered.

>

>And, dad is getting a little better. He goes to rehab again today and they

>are going to take an x-ray of his chest. He has a terrible cough and lots

of

>chest pain. We are hoping this does not turn into pneumonia and things are

>ok. He is still very very tired and doesn't eat well. His blood sugar (he

>is diabetic) keeps going up and down like a see saw. It has been and

>continues to be rough for him and my mother as well. Ed and I are probably

>going to go see them and help them with stuff on Sunday.

>

>Thus, amongst all the turmoil and bad news, there are good things. Thank

you

>Jesus.

>

>Anyway, I tend to ramble but thanks for listening.

>

>Love, Jeannette

>

>

>Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

>http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

>Change subscription options:

>

>

[Guest guest]

a:

Really........what do you think I should do about it? I noticed that when we

started talking Enbrel and Remicade, he folded his arms across his chest and

kind of stuttered his words like he was feeling pretty insecure discussing

this with me. I don't think he will let it go on beyond 2 weeks however. He

has me set up for liver lab tests in 2 weeks and if my enzymes are still

elevated, he will take me off. He really has no other alternative but to try

to get me on Enbrel. If he doesn't, I will have a stink......big time!!!!

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

There are many of us that ONLY take Enbrel. Until this discussion started,

I never heard of the combination of mtx, Arava and enbrel.

One of the criteria for getting enbrel was that you have to fail mtx first.

Since it's been on the market for 2 years now, I'm sure it's been used in

combinations more. If you can't take mtx, you should not have a problem

getting enbrel.

a

----- Original Message -----

From: <ednettieolson@...>

< egroups>; <anncan@...>; <trophy@...>;

<docarcher@...>; <johnchay@...>; <advair@...>;

<rojakort@...>; <PAPrichard@...>; <jims@...>;

<neilgerl@...>; <mgerl@...>; <Belott@...>

Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 3:25 PM

Subject: [ ] Enbrel

> Hey Group and friends and family:

>

> I just heard from somebody (a person in another group I was in) who knows

> quite a bit about RA meds etc. She said Enbrel can be taken without MTX

> and/or Arava so if the Arava does not work for me, I still have something

> else to try, if the dr. will go to bat for me with the insurance company.

I

> am sure he will; he has been a great dr. all along. That gives me

something

> to hope for at least. In case you did not know, my dr. changed me from

> Methtrexate to Arava because my liver enzymes were elevating to much and

too

> high. Arava has virtually the same possible side effects as Methotrexate

but

> he is hoping I react differently to the Arava. I have been flaring some

and

> have been having to pace myself quite alot and/or rest quite alot and take

> pain meds quite alot.

>

> I also wanted to tell you about something that happened yesterday. I

wanted

> to buy a gun cabinet for my husband for X-mas. He mentioned how nice it

> would be to have one so I thought hey, perfect gift if not too expensive.

> So, I went to Fleet Farm and they had Sauder wood gun cabinets but were

all

> out of them. They called the two stores in Green Bay and they were also

out

> of them. So, I went to Home Depot, they did not have them. I then went

to

> Dick's Sporting Goods and yes, they did not even carry them. However,

there

> was a woman (customer) in there who over heard me asking. She said that

Home

> Concepts, a store which I never knew about carries Sauder items (they are

the

> self assemble items). I went over to the store and they had ONE left. I

> told them they made my day. It was also on sale for only $99.99 which

really

> made my day. I had my step son pick it up and take it over to his house

> until X-mas. Thus, yesterday was not a total wash out. I am beginning to

> pick up my spirits again.

>

> I also got in the mail that I am eligible for Medicare starting March. We

> are going to take it in the event that my husband should lose his job or

go

> free lance instead. Then I will be covered.

>

> And, dad is getting a little better. He goes to rehab again today and

they

> are going to take an x-ray of his chest. He has a terrible cough and lots

of

> chest pain. We are hoping this does not turn into pneumonia and things

are

> ok. He is still very very tired and doesn't eat well. His blood sugar

(he

> is diabetic) keeps going up and down like a see saw. It has been and

> continues to be rough for him and my mother as well. Ed and I are

probably

> going to go see them and help them with stuff on Sunday.

>

> Thus, amongst all the turmoil and bad news, there are good things. Thank

you

> Jesus.

>

> Anyway, I tend to ramble but thanks for listening.

>

> Love, Jeannette

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

i was on arava and had reactions, many anti-inflammatories. now enbrel. much

better!!

[Guest guest]

a:

You are probably right. I really really like my dr. He is a wonderful

person and dr. He also has RA so has alot of sympathy and empathy for his

patients. I also know he has a protocol to work by including the insurance

company. He was also appointed Chief of Staff at one of our three area

hospitals. So, I am not dealing with any yoyo as you can see. If I cannot

trust him and believe in him to take care of me properly, then who can I

trust? Speaking of yoyo's, this is how I have been feeling lately with

everything going on with my parents and my health issues. My emotions are

all over the map. Plus, the introduction of this new medication into my body

is having some chemical effects on my emotions too. I cannot not tell if my

reactions to things is due to stress, fear, sadness, anger or chemical.

Nonetheless, we forge on don't we? So far, the Arava has taken away any pain

I have been feeling. I have not taken any pain medication all day. This is

great. I just hope it does not affect my liver adversely. Anyway, thanks

for all your feedback today. I guess it is time for me to try to get some

sleep. Good night fellow Leo, RAer and mother of a 20 something daughter.

It is fun to have things in common.

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Jeanette,

RA can erode your bones without any apparent swelling. I agree, your doctor

is kissing your HMO's A**.

That is a lot of crap that his interests are for your insurance company and

not for you!

I don't have a lot of inflammation, and I am on it.

a

----- Original Message -----

From: <ednettieolson@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 4:40 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Enbrel

> a

>

> I did not know that until today. The reason my dr. is not giving me

Enbrel

> is because my joints were not swollen enough he says to warrant the

expense

> with my health plan. Thus, my dr. is kissing the HMO's you know what.

> Personally, I think he is taking a chance with my liver by putting me on

> Arava in the event I may react differently than the MTX. My hands are

tied

> though. The dr. has to make the recommendation. I am not happy with his

> choice but..................

>

> Jeannette

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb:

I am still awake. Thank you for your message. You are not scaring me any

more than I already am. I just feel at a loss right now. I don't think

there is anything I can do except go along with his protocol. I will find

out how my enzymes are doing in about two weeks.

Were you on MTX before Arava?

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Jeanette,

There could be many reasons why your doctor is choosing the path he's on.

If there is a shortage of Enbrel, they may be limiting the number of new

prescriptions. Remicade and Enbrel is so new that many doctors are

reluctant to prescribe it unless the patient is really bad off and has

failed at many different drugs. You have been in remission due to mtx, and

your liver enzymes are only slightly elevated if I'm not mistaken. He would

definitely try to keep you on mtx unless the liver became to toxic. The

next closest thing to mtx is arava, so that would be the next choice.

I would hope that his reasons aren't because he wants to save your insurance

company money. If this is the case, then I'd find a new doctor.

Your doctor sees the big picture because he examines you, sees your blood

and x-rays. The two of you are the only ones that can make the decision as

to what course of treatment you choose. I hope whatever it its, you find

something that puts you in remission.

a

----- Original Message -----

From: <ednettieolson@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 7:40 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Enbrel

> a:

>

> Really........what do you think I should do about it? I noticed that when

we

> started talking Enbrel and Remicade, he folded his arms across his chest

and

> kind of stuttered his words like he was feeling pretty insecure discussing

> this with me. I don't think he will let it go on beyond 2 weeks however.

He

> has me set up for liver lab tests in 2 weeks and if my enzymes are still

> elevated, he will take me off. He really has no other alternative but to

try

> to get me on Enbrel. If he doesn't, I will have a stink......big time!!!!

>

> Jeannette

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanette,

He sounds like a very qualified doctor. It's important to have confidence

in your doctor. Him having RA really is a unique situation. I've never

heard of a rheumatologist that has RA. I'm sure he is full of empathy.

It's hard for us to have patience with our doctors when we hurt.

Glad to hear you aren't in pain.

a

----- Original Message -----

From: <ednettieolson@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 11:16 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Enbrel

> a:

>

> You are probably right. I really really like my dr. He is a wonderful

> person and dr. He also has RA so has alot of sympathy and empathy for his

> patients. I also know he has a protocol to work by including the

insurance

> company. He was also appointed Chief of Staff at one of our three area

> hospitals. So, I am not dealing with any yoyo as you can see. If I

cannot

> trust him and believe in him to take care of me properly, then who can I

> trust? Speaking of yoyo's, this is how I have been feeling lately with

> everything going on with my parents and my health issues. My emotions are

> all over the map. Plus, the introduction of this new medication into my

body

> is having some chemical effects on my emotions too. I cannot not tell if

my

> reactions to things is due to stress, fear, sadness, anger or chemical.

> Nonetheless, we forge on don't we? So far, the Arava has taken away any

pain

> I have been feeling. I have not taken any pain medication all day. This

is

> great. I just hope it does not affect my liver adversely. Anyway, thanks

> for all your feedback today. I guess it is time for me to try to get some

> sleep. Good night fellow Leo, RAer and mother of a 20 something daughter.

> It is fun to have things in common.

>

> Jeannette

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanette,

I am sorry to read about the problems you have been having and want to let

you know that I am thinking of you.

We all react differently but I did want to let you know that my blood

pressure finally got down to safe levels once I started Enbrel. Before

Enbrel, we could not effectively control it.

Your doctor may have been reluctant to put you on Enbrel because some

people have had elevated liver enzymes when they were on Enbrel. It is not

a common reaction but from what I have heard it is happening more than

expected.

a is right - when we hurt it is hard to be patient.

Pat

[Guest guest]

i only bruised once, but it lasted about 3 weeks

[Guest guest]

,

I haven't posted much lately, either. Still busy with the house (should

close January 7!) Anyway, yes, I have noticed that I bruise easily, too. I

just though that that was the prednisone finally catching up with me, (thin

skin and all that!)

Kim Brzowski

kim@...

----- Original Message -----

From: Stacey <StaceyT@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2000 7:53 AM

Subject: [ ] Enbrel

> Hello! I know it has been a while since I posted, but thought I would

check in and say Happy Holidays to everyone! I also have a question.

>

> I started Enbrel about 3 weeks ago, and I can already tell a huge

difference in the pain and fatigue. The shots are easy and painless. My

question is, has anyone on Enbrel had a problem with being " easily bruised " ?

I have noticed since starting Enbrel that I seem to bruise much easier, and

the bruises get quite ugly looking... Or maybe I am just clumsy... :-) I

was just curious if anyone else has had this problem.

>

> Thanks! And again hafe a safe happy holiday season!

>

> Stacey

>

> ______________________________________________

> FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com

> Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacey. Happy holidays to you too. I've been on Enbrel for 2 years, and

haven't noticed any changes in bruising. I don't even bruise at the site

injection. I am so happy to hear that it is working for you!

a

----- Original Message -----

From: Stacey <StaceyT@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2000 10:53 AM

Subject: [ ] Enbrel

> Hello! I know it has been a while since I posted, but thought I would

check in and say Happy Holidays to everyone! I also have a question.

>

> I started Enbrel about 3 weeks ago, and I can already tell a huge

difference in the pain and fatigue. The shots are easy and painless. My

question is, has anyone on Enbrel had a problem with being " easily bruised " ?

I have noticed since starting Enbrel that I seem to bruise much easier, and

the bruises get quite ugly looking... Or maybe I am just clumsy... :-) I

was just curious if anyone else has had this problem.

>

> Thanks! And again hafe a safe happy holiday season!

>

> Stacey

>

> ______________________________________________

> FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com

> Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

Hi All!

I am going to share with you my current predicament. I have been on enbrel

for quite awhile and lodine. Works well in keeping inflammation down and my

lesser painful joints pianfree. Oh and the chronic fatigue is under control.

Well our insurance carrier switched to a mail order 3 month supplier to save

money. My first 3 months of enbrel ran out about 3 weeks ago and before

that happened I called to renew and was told it wasn't due to renew until

2/1. I thought this was strange because I was out. Anyway I didn't really

question it but was upset and when nothing came on 2/1 I called on 2/4 and

was told that it was in the process of being filled. Then again on 2/7 and

was told it would ship before the end of the day on 2/8. On 2/9, they said

that maybe it would ship on 2/11. Well now I am on hold with Express

Scripts. We leave for a 10 day vacation to Disney World on 2/13 so I am out

of time. The symptoms are back and I have no enbrel. What I figure

happened is that the DR. wrote the prescription for 2xs per week for 3

months which should have been 4 boxes but they sent 3 and one of my kids put

it in the garage refrigerator and of course never questioned it. My husband

says that the money savings isn't worth it and we will go back to the CVS

pharmacy.

Hip replacement is scheduled for 4/10 and I am actually looking forward to

getting another replacement part. To have a world renowned orthopedic

surgeon tell me my hip is awful means what I already knew.

dat2352@...

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersdairygoats/index.html

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html

[Guest guest]

Gosh, , that's bad news. Somebody owes it to you to get that

Enbrel for you ASAP. Maybe they could arrange to have a supply sent to

you in Florida? That's an awfully long time to be without it, especially

considering it was helping.

I hope that, despite this snafu, you can enjoy your trip to Disney

World.

Re: [ ] enbrel

> Hi All!

> I am going to share with you my current predicament. I have been on

enbrel

> for quite awhile and lodine. Works well in keeping inflammation down

and my

> lesser painful joints pianfree. Oh and the chronic fatigue is under

control.

> Well our insurance carrier switched to a mail order 3 month supplier

to save

> money. My first 3 months of enbrel ran out about 3 weeks ago and

before

> that happened I called to renew and was told it wasn't due to renew

until

> 2/1. I thought this was strange because I was out. Anyway I didn't

really

> question it but was upset and when nothing came on 2/1 I called on 2/4

and

> was told that it was in the process of being filled. Then again on

2/7 and

> was told it would ship before the end of the day on 2/8. On 2/9, they

said

> that maybe it would ship on 2/11. Well now I am on hold with Express

> Scripts. We leave for a 10 day vacation to Disney World on 2/13 so I

am out

> of time. The symptoms are back and I have no enbrel. What I figure

> happened is that the DR. wrote the prescription for 2xs per week for 3

> months which should have been 4 boxes but they sent 3 and one of my

kids put

> it in the garage refrigerator and of course never questioned it. My

husband

> says that the money savings isn't worth it and we will go back to the

CVS

> pharmacy.

> Hip replacement is scheduled for 4/10 and I am actually looking

forward to

> getting another replacement part. To have a world renowned orthopedic

> surgeon tell me my hip is awful means what I already knew.

>

[Guest guest]

,

The enbrel arrived today but only 2 boxes-10 syringes but at least it's

here. My husband did follow through with the head of Human Resources and

they followed through with Express Scripts. Express Scripts thinks that if

they get the drug to me their problems will go away but the head of HR made

it perfectly clear to my husband that he will persue this mistreatment!

dat2352@...

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersdairygoats/index.html

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html

[Guest guest]

I am so happy-well as happy as a person can be with RA. I love my new knee

and hip and my 3 month supply of Enbrel just got delivered!!

Temple

3 Fox Haven Way

Chelmsford, MA 01824

dat2352@...

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html FAMILY

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersdairygoats/index.html FARM

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html CRAFTS