Re: Humira -- Need Info and support

April 13, 2011

Hi, Sara -

I have been on Enbrel since 2006 and it has been like a miracle for me. I

have unspecified spondy, rhuematoid arthritis, and Sjogren's, plus all the

related things I've accumulated over the years. I was having lots of

difficulty with walking, pain, and fatigue and had been taking methotrexate

for many years. Once I switched to Enbrel, it was like a switch was thrown.

People say I'm like I was before. Now, I can walk at a good pace for

exercise and can walk while shopping - I always used a scooter or wheelchair

for that before. I can tell what it does when I have to go off of it - the

pain and swelling in the joints starts up after about a week after a missed

dose. It takes about twice as long as I have been off to get back to where

I was. I do have to be careful with infections. I had a run of UTI for a

while, but once I really got rid of them, they haven't come back. I have a

tendency to get bronchitis since I have Sjogren's but I have learned how to

get it early, stop taking the Enbrel right away, and I have had 2 winters

without any bronchitis. I do stay in a lot in the winter and avoid my

grandchildren when they are sick, but it is worth it. I had a harder time

with infections with methotrexate, although I think I may have just learned

to handle things better. I also think that the Enbrel has helped my

Sjogren's symptoms. Before I was on it, I regularly had to have

my esophagus dilated but haven't had to since I went on the Enbrel. My eyes

are also not as dry, although fish oil may have done that.

Good luck to your boyfriend. I hope he finds something that can help him.

And Liz, I hope that something works for you as well.

Now, if these miracle drugs were just not so darned expensive..... I dread

the day when we lose my husband's insurance in a couple of years. Even

paying 100% for that is cheaper than my drugs on Medicare D.

Meg

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