Guest guest Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Thanks everyone for the support! My husband has finally convinced me that I should do this so I have my TB test scheduled for tomorrow (my doctor won't write the prescription until I do the test). Then I have to wait for insurance approval. Hopefully it won't be too long before I lose my nerve.... June Dixon <juner24@...> wrote: Me, too, a. I kept going to my doctor's office and his nurse would do it. With winter weather coming, this just would not work. I was scared to death but just did it and was a little embarrassed when I discovered it was very easy. My hubby learned to do it as well so when my hands are bad, he does it for me. Hugs June ----- Original Message ----- From: a Papola I too was terrified to inject myself. For the first 7 years on Enbrel, my husband did it for me. Then one day I decided to try it and I'm so glad I did since now I prefer doing it myself. I was very surprised that I hardly felt it at all. a On Mar 11, 2006, at 7:34 PM, eemalawyer wrote: > , > > I was absolutely terrified to inject myself, and it just wasn't a > big deal. If you really can't do it, I'm sure you can go into the > doctor's office and the nurse will inject you, but try it first. > I'm thinking about trying injectable MTX now because my doc says > that you get more drug with fewer side effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Thanks Kathe, The test is done and now I'm just waiting for insurance approval, which takes a few days. I'm actually looking forward to it now because my fingers are swollen and I'm looking forward to getting back to the way it used to be before this big flare/change. Thanks for the support! Kathe Sabetzadeh <lv2ryd@...> wrote: : My advice is to get the test done, and give Enbrel a try. I am on it, and it is doing so well for me, and the injections are easy. I actually can feel in my body when it is time for my next shot. Best of luck - Kathe in CA --- <jhughes_bp@...> wrote: > a, > > I give you a lot of credit. My doctor suggested I > go on Enbrel or Humira a few weeks ago and I still > somehow cannot get over the idea that I am going to > have to give myself injections. It's good to hear > that it went so well. I am still trying to convince > myself to go get that TB test and call for the > prescription. > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 , did your physician mention that you can do a washout procedure with cholestyramine or activated charcoal to try to get the Arava out of your system faster? ************************ " Cholestyramine given orally at a dose of 8 g three times a day for 24 hours to three healthy volunteers decreased plasma levels of M1 by approximately 40% in 24 hours and by 49 to 65% in 48 hours. Administration of activated charcoal (powder made into a suspension) orally or via nasogastric tube (50 g every 6 hours for 24 hours) has been shown to reduce plasma concentrations of the active metabolite, M1, by 37% in 24 hours and by 48% in 48 hours. These drug elimination procedures may be repeated if clinically necessary. " ********************** " Without the drug elimination procedure, it may take up to 2 years to reach plasma M1 metabolite levels less than 0.02 mg/L due to individual variation in drug clearance. " ********************** http://www.arava.com Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Enbrel > Thx Sue, Toni and a for the info on Enbrel. > > How long did it take to work? I took my first shot yesterday and > I swear my fingers burn just a little less today I am so hoping > that this will be my miracle drug. It really sounds like those of you on > Enbrel love it. I would sure like to not have to take MTX cuz of the > liver issues, or so much Prednisone and Vicodin. > > I'm still having a lot of stomach pain from the Arava, can only eat when > I take pain pills. Great weight loss idea, eh? But the doc says it will > resolve, it'll just take time cuz of the half life of Arava. > > a, how come you had to start MTX? Did the Enbrel become less > effective over time? > > Thx, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 , I started on Arava and had no side effects but when I changed Rheummy's the new one did not use this drug due to so many reports of sudden liver failure. He stopped the arava and switched me to MTX pills. They made me soooo sick it was not funny....Then I got drug induce pneumonitis. So the MTX was stopped and Enbrel added. It worked well after the first 3-4 weeks but not enough. I was also still working. So he added MTX injections. That seemed to help but not enough. Finally I left my job on Short term disability and the reduction of stress made a HUGE difference for a while. Then it seems the drugs just were not working. I refused prednisone. I had weight loss surgery (lap-band) and had to stop all my meds. I had a NINE month remission after that!!! I was thrilled. When I tried to restart the Enbrel I had bad reactions to it. So I stopped it completely and went with no drugs cause at the same time the rheummy moved. I don't blame you on the MTX. Its on my chart that I will NEVER take it again due to side effects!!! I also make sure the rheummy knows...not to even bother talking about MTX. I will NOT take it!!!! In a message dated 4/9/2006 8:31:02 A.M. Central Daylight Time, writes: Date: Sat, 08 Apr 2006 14:28:30 -0600 From: <kyrik@...> Subject: Enbrel Thx Sue, Toni and a for the info on Enbrel. How long did it take to work? I took my first shot yesterday and I swear my fingers burn just a little less today I am so hoping that this will be my miracle drug. It really sounds like those of you on Enbrel love it. I would sure like to not have to take MTX cuz of the liver issues, or so much Prednisone and Vicodin. I'm still having a lot of stomach pain from the Arava, can only eat when I take pain pills. Great weight loss idea, eh? But the doc says it will resolve, it'll just take time cuz of the half life of Arava. a, how come you had to start MTX? Did the Enbrel become less effective over time? Thx, Toni Independent Decorating Consultant Home Interiors Become a consultant today for $99 and get $500 in free merchandise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 , Enbrel is still very effective for me, however I still have progression of the disease so mtx was added. Since being on Enbrel, the RA has affected my shoulders and now my wrists. I believe it has slowed the disease down. a On Apr 8, 2006, at 4:28 PM, wrote: > Thx Sue, Toni and a for the info on Enbrel. > > How long did it take to work? I took my first shot yesterday and > I swear my fingers burn just a little less today I am so hoping > that this will be my miracle drug. It really sounds like those of > you on > Enbrel love it. I would sure like to not have to take MTX cuz of the > liver issues, or so much Prednisone and Vicodin. > > I'm still having a lot of stomach pain from the Arava, can only eat > when > I take pain pills. Great weight loss idea, eh? But the doc says it > will > resolve, it'll just take time cuz of the half life of Arava. > > a, how come you had to start MTX? Did the Enbrel become less > effective over time? > > Thx, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 , many rheumatologists do baseline x-rays (or MRIs or other imaging) so they can periodically check for damage and see how you are doing. I'd ask your rheumatologist why he hasn't done them. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Enbrel >> , >> Enbrel is still very effective for me, however I still have >> progression of the disease so mtx was added. >> Since being on Enbrel, the RA has affected my shoulders and now my >> wrists. I believe it has slowed the disease down. > > Hi a, > > Does your RA show up on xrays or in blood tests, is that how you > know the progression is worse? Mine doesn't (yet?) so I can only > go on symptoms. > > Thx, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2006 Report Share Posted April 15, 2006 > > Have any of you had success with Enbrel but had it take > awhile? > >> Hi , I'm on my second month of enbrel and have not had much relief from it. It has helped my knees but my hands and elbows are still bad. I was hoping for more relief then this and am considering quitting this med, and alot of other things. I hope you get the relief you need. Sorry didn't mean to make this a downer but its been a bad nite. good luck! aN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2006 Report Share Posted April 15, 2006 It was about my 3rd or 4th inj. before I noticed much iimprovement but it was a gradual process and by the end of the 1st month there was marked improvement. I've been on it now for almost 3 months and everything is much improved. At 2 months my CRP was down to 6.3. It had been up in the 30's and with mtx I had seen it improve to the mid teens but could not tolerated being on the high dose necessary to bring it on down nor could I tolerate the RA symptoms. Feeling much better now with low dose mtx and enbrel. I've been doing light gardening and doing Curves exercise program where for the last year I had done no exercising and only moving as little as was absolutely necessary. I am also off of all steriods. <kyrik@...> wrote: > Yes, that is how RA is, one day good, one day bad, one > day the knees, next the wrists, etc. There is no way > to tell from day to day, and sometimes even hour to > hour, what is going to start hurting. That is why its > so hard to make plans in advance. That is one of the hardest things, I think. You'll be cruising along (relatively speaking) and then you'll get waylaid by symptoms and end up in bed. I hate that Plus I took my second shot of Enbrel yesterday and don't feel any better so I'm really worried that it won't work. I know it can take awhile but I also know some people feel it right away. I'm hoping that maybe it's relative. When my first drug, Arava, wasn't working I was literally in bed for most of the day. I still feel like crap but I'm not in bed all day so maybe that's improvement? I hope so And at this point, I've given up on feeling " great " , I can even live without " good, " I'm just desperate for " better. " Have any of you had success with Enbrel but had it take awhile? Thx, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2006 Report Share Posted April 16, 2006 Hi : Yes, it can take a while for the Enbrel to kick in, unfortunately, they have not come up with a drug which is instantaneous relief - when it does, we'll all be on it! I think it took about a month for me to begin to feel some improvement (I am also on Mtx, and at that time was on 20mg weekly - now down to 10mg because they Enbrel is helping), but have been on it six months now and am very happy with the way my RA is being controlled. No x-ray evidence of any erosions, and after 8 years with RA that is great. My doctors have always treated the RA aggressively, and I know that is best. Yes, I believe that your not wanting to be in bed all day is an improvement - small steps. I will keep my fingers crossed, and my prayers coming, that the Enbrel will start helping you more soon. Hang in there - Kathe in CA --- <kyrik@...> wrote: > > Plus I took my second shot of Enbrel yesterday and > don't > feel any better so I'm really worried that it won't > work. > I know it can take awhile but I also know some > people > feel it right away. I'm hoping that maybe it's > relative. > When my first drug, Arava, wasn't working I was > literally > in bed for most of the day. I still feel like crap > but > I'm not in bed all day so maybe that's improvement? > I hope so And at this point, I've given up on > feeling > " great " , I can even live without " good, " I'm just > desperate > for " better. " > > Have any of you had success with Enbrel but had it > take > awhile? > > Thx, > > > > > > > Kathe " To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. " __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2006 Report Share Posted April 17, 2006 Hi ,I am one of the lucky ones,i felt a difference within 3 hours of taking enbrel.The fatigue lifted almost instantly,and i felt really well by the end of the day.It lasted a while until i had the flu jab,and that upset everything.I now take mtx and enbrel with nsaids and i feel very well at the moment.I live for the day i am in and it works for me a day at a time. > > > > Plus I took my second shot of Enbrel yesterday and > > don't > > feel any better so I'm really worried that it won't > > work. > > I know it can take awhile but I also know some > > people > > feel it right away. I'm hoping that maybe it's > > relative. > > When my first drug, Arava, wasn't working I was > > literally > > in bed for most of the day. I still feel like crap > > but > > I'm not in bed all day so maybe that's improvement? > > I hope so And at this point, I've given up on > > feeling > > " great " , I can even live without " good, " I'm just > > desperate > > for " better. " > > > > Have any of you had success with Enbrel but had it > > take > > awhile? > > > > Thx, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Kathe > > " To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. " > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 No, it's not caused me to gain weight. I've never heard of that as a side effect of Enbrel. It can happen, I understand, with Prednisone. Sue On Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 07:23 PM, giambifan2001 wrote: > I will be starting enbrel soon.I would like to know if it has caused > anyone to gain weight.On top of all my other problems, I dont want to > worry about that! thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 > > I've had a good reaction to Enbrel. Just took my eighth > shot yest. I don't have any reaction or adverse effects > at all. Used to get a site rash but now I put a Bandaid > on and leave it for a few days and I don't get that. > > It gives me more energy, although " more " is a relative > word I'm still exhausted. (But I shouldn't complain > because I am up and about and running errands and ferrying kids > around for a couple of hours a day, although I'm still > hardly working.) And it hasn't helped my > joint pain at all. My rh says we'll give it several > more months and then if the joint pain is still bad, > we'll add something else. > > Sometimes it stings a little going in, but then I just slow > down and the stinging stops. And it's a little sore afterwards. But > in general, I've been amazed at how little it hurts (especially > after hearing you all talk about Humira.) > > Good luck with yours > > I have been on Enbrel 6 wks now and have not had any problems and I was told to let the Enbrel set out about 45 mim and let it warm up a bit and then it does not sting. and that works well for me I too have alot more energy and not to much pain now. good luck to you JANET IN IL > > > I'm sorry I'm babbling, but I am curious about other people's > reactions to the Enbrel. I think I have to start the inj this coming > week. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 > > Hi my name is . I have been on Enbrel for 3.5 months. I'm > better, but I don't think the small benefit outweighs the risks. I > worse before my menstrual cycle, and I'm still getting flares. I'm > going to start on small dose of Prozac to help with the PMS. Does > anyone have experience with Enbrel? Thanks > Hi I have been on Enbrel 6 wks now and have not had any prob. as yet. sorry that you are haveing trouble. I can say I do feel much better now that I am on it. good luck to you, hope you find something that works for you. Janet IN IL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 , I was on Enbrel for nine months. It really did not do much for me. Toward the end I started having reactions to it and large red painful lumps at the injection site. I finally stopped it. As far as the PMS thing when I was also on prozac and over time my dose went from 20-80 mg a day. This was before I was Dx'd with RA, OA and Fibro. I changed docs and made lifestyle changes and most of my symptoms went away. I stopped the prozac and was happy. Toni In a message dated 5/30/2006 6:29:36 P.M. Central Daylight Time, writes: From: " denverni " denverni@... Date: Tue May 30, 2006 11:22am(PDT) Subject: Enbrel Hi my name is . I have been on Enbrel for 3.5 months. I'm better, but I don't think the small benefit outweighs the risks. I worse before my menstrual cycle, and I'm still getting flares. I'm going to start on small dose of Prozac to help with the PMS. Does anyone have experience with Enbrel? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 I've been on Enbrel since it was approved in 1998. It has been wonderful for me and I've had no problems with any side effects. It's just a shame that these drugs affect us all differently. I am sorry you're not getting much benefit out of it. a On May 30, 2006, at 2:06 PM, denverni wrote: > Hi my name is . I have been on Enbrel for 3.5 months. I'm > better, but I don't think the small benefit outweighs the risks. I > worse before my menstrual cycle, and I'm still getting flares. I'm > going to start on small dose of Prozac to help with the PMS. Does > anyone have experience with Enbrel? Thanks > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Hi : I have been on a combination of Methotrexate and Enbrel now for about six months, and have felt benefit from this. Do you take anything other than the Enbrel? If not, your doctor might look into combining another medication with it like Mtx or Arava, sometimes that helps the Enbrel to work better. I think that this whole thing is very hormonal so it would not be too strange to have increased flares with your periods - I no longer have mine (thanks to the heavens!), but it still seems like I do get hormonal once in a while! I am not painfree, wish that would be so, but I am in less pain. There is always some degree of pain in some joint, but in general my flares are less often than they were prior to Enbrel being added. So, if you are on Enbrel alone, please ask your doctor about adding another med to your treatment plan and see if that helps. Sometimes it takes a while for the meds to kick in, but three months seems like the time to see if something else can be added to help you. Stay on the Enbrel, if you can, and add something. Good luck and let us know what your doctor thinks of this - Kathe in CA __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 > > Hi my name is . I have been on Enbrel for 3.5 months. I'm > better, but I don't think the small benefit outweighs the risks. I > worse before my menstrual cycle, and I'm still getting flares. I'm > going to start on small dose of Prozac to help with the PMS. Does > anyone have experience with Enbrel? Thanks > Hi , Been on Enbrel for 6 months, it's helped some but still pain and stiffness. Bad ankles and wrists are the worst but other joints as well. Came down with this curse (RA)in '91 In that time I really don't remember how many different drugs I've been on, but it's been plenty. Good luck with Enbrel, but any negitive difference in your body.....go back to the Specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 Welcome, There are a lot of are members on Enbrel, and it works well for them. You will find plenty of support and information here. The nurse at your doc's office will usually help you through it all. Is there someone else that can help you with the injections for awhile? Not long, and you will be feeling better and able to do it yourself. Good luck, and keep us posted, Tawny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2006 Report Share Posted June 9, 2006 --- In , " vacation808 " <vacation808@...> wrote: > > > on Monday I am going to try Enbrel. I do not > know how I will give myself injectins because my hands are so swollen > and painful, but I will do just about anything to relieve some of this > pain and feel more " normal " . Has anyoe had relief with Enbrel? > Hi I have been on Enbrel two months and I think it has help some I still have some pain Like Last night my hips were hurting but this morning not to bad.. good luck with your Enbrel and also Welcome to the group. you will find alot of very nice people and alot of information. Where are you In am in IL and Have had RA about 2 yrs and Fribo about 3yrs.so they say I think alot longer. any way welcome to our family Janet IN IL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2006 Report Share Posted June 9, 2006 --- In , " vacation808 " <vacation808@...> wrote: > > Hi I am new to the group. Has anyoe had relief with Enbrel? > Hi-I hope a pray that enbrel is the answer for your RA. It has done wonders for me. I have been dianosed for about 3 years. For the first 2 years MTX did ok but then I had to add prednisone just to junction at all. Last Christmas I was miserable using mtx and prednisone. Decided it was time to give enbrel a try and have had great results. I've cut the mtx back to 5 mg a week and hope to stop it completely by the end of June. I have not used prednisone since the end of January. I have also reduced the amt of otc ibupren and naproxen that I'm taking. I do the shots twice (25 mgs) a week. I still have some soreness and tenderness in my hand and pain in my wrists and hips but feel soooooo much better and can do most thins that I desire to do. We just come home from vacation a couple of weeks ago and I hiked and walked for miles when back at Christmas it was difficut to get around the house. If doing the shots is difficult enbrel does come in a premixed version that makes giving it easier. I does have a preservative in it and I'm told it stings a little when taking it. It does not hurt at all with the need to mix kind. If you have trouble I'm sure you could have a family member or friend give it to you at first or even the nurse at the doctor's office or maybe even someone at your pharmacy. I hope it works for you as well as it has for me. It's given me my life back. in Tennessee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2006 Report Share Posted June 9, 2006 I have been on Enbrel for about 2 1/2 years now, and it works very well for me. I can't take methotrexate because it lowers my white blood cell count too much. Luckily for me, the Enbrel is effective even without the mtx. Maybe someone else could help you with the injections at first, and hopefully the Enbrel will do so much good that your hands will get a lot better. Good luck. Sue On Thursday, June 8, 2006, at 11:03 PM, vacation808 wrote: > Hi I am new to the group. I was diagnosed a year ago and have been on > a mix of Liprox, methotrexate, prednisone and folic acid. They cannot > raise me anymore on the methotrexate and do not want to to icrease the > prednisone either, so on Monday I am going to try Enbrel. I do not > know how I will give myself injectins because my hands are so swollen > and painful, but I will do just about anything to relieve some of this > pain and feel more " normal " . Has anyoe had relief with Enbrel? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2006 Report Share Posted June 10, 2006 Hi: Welcome to the group - this is a great place to come for support and information. I have made many friends in the years I have been here, and the information I have learned here has helped me to be able to talk with my rheumy with more assurance since I have usually always heard about whatever it is here first! I have been on Enbrel now for 8 months, and it is really helping me - I also take Mtx, Mobic, and Ultram for pain. I think that you can get your shots at the doctor's office if it is impossible for you to do them yourself, they are tiny little bottles that I have to fit together to mix the med up, so that might be hard for you. Is there anybody else who might volunteer like a family member? They are not hard to do once you get the hang of it. Give the Enbrel at least a month to kick in, hopefully you will feel relief even before that, some people have felt it after the first few shots. I truly wish you the best, and hope that Enbrel will be of help to you. If not, there are other meds out there, so don't despair, and keep trying. Let us know how it goes - take care - Kathe in CA --- vacation808 <vacation808@...> wrote: > Hi I am new to the group. I was diagnosed a year > ago and have been on > a mix of Liprox, methotrexate, prednisone and folic > acid. They cannot > raise me anymore on the methotrexate and do not want > to to icrease the > prednisone either, so on Monday I am going to try > Enbrel. I do not > know how I will give myself injectins because my > hands are so swollen > and painful, but I will do just about anything to > relieve some of this > pain and feel more " normal " . Has anyoe had relief > with Enbrel? > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 I have been on Enbrel for over two years, and have had no adverse side effects from it. It seems to have stopped the progression of my RA, and I am a happy camper. Why don't you start the Enbrel again and see what happens? If you have bad side effects, you can always quit it again. Sue On Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at 10:17 AM, catmoh wrote: > I have read all the research on > Enbrel, the insert that comes with the drug, and my RA doctor told > me up front that it is a high risk drug. He is a good doctor. I am > not unhappy at all with his therapy. But I am a little afraid to > take the Enbrel without knowing a little more about it. The > research and the insert are all straight forward and informative, > but I need to hear some comments from people with direct experience > with the drug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Thanks, . The rheumatologist called today to tell me that my liver values are climbng again (after initially heading back toward normal) even though I'm off the Arava. She wanted my to decrease my Mtx dose for the next couple of weeks to see how my liver responds. That Enbrel better kick in if I've got to cut the Mtx! > > > So, , are you using the twice-weekly 25 mg Enbrel or the > > once-weekly 50 mg? I use the 25 mg, and it doesn't sting or feel thick. > > I've heard that the 50 mg does sting some people, maybe because it has > > preservatives in it. > > > > I tried the 50 mg, but didn't like it because the needles seemed very > > dull, and it didn't seem to last all week for me. After one month's > > supply of the 50 mg, I went back to the 25 mg. > > I use the 50 once a week and even though it doesn't seem to last all > week, I like it. It took me about a month before I really felt it. But > I've been off if for a month and just took my first shot Friday and I > already feel a difference. Actually I didn't realize how well it was > working until I went off of it, I felt like I was dying and the pain and > fatigue and depression were almost unbearable. So, hey, any little > improvement is good > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Thanks, . The rheumatologist called today to tell me that my liver values are climbng again (after initially heading back toward normal) even though I'm off the Arava. She wanted my to decrease my Mtx dose for the next couple of weeks to see how my liver responds. That Enbrel better kick in if I've got to cut the Mtx! > > > So, , are you using the twice-weekly 25 mg Enbrel or the > > once-weekly 50 mg? I use the 25 mg, and it doesn't sting or feel thick. > > I've heard that the 50 mg does sting some people, maybe because it has > > preservatives in it. > > > > I tried the 50 mg, but didn't like it because the needles seemed very > > dull, and it didn't seem to last all week for me. After one month's > > supply of the 50 mg, I went back to the 25 mg. > > I use the 50 once a week and even though it doesn't seem to last all > week, I like it. It took me about a month before I really felt it. But > I've been off if for a month and just took my first shot Friday and I > already feel a difference. Actually I didn't realize how well it was > working until I went off of it, I felt like I was dying and the pain and > fatigue and depression were almost unbearable. So, hey, any little > improvement is good > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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