Questions on Enbrel

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if I could get some advice. I was

seeing a rheumatologist for a couple of years who

began my treatment with Plaquenil. She then left the

hospital that I am treated at. I began seeing a new

one and into a couple of visits, my previous

rheumatologist decided to come back to the hospital.

I stuck out my treatment with the new one because I

was frustrated with switching doctors. The new doctor

added Sulfasalazine to my treatment plan and advised

since my knees are still quite swollen, that we would

be adding a more aggressive approach to my treatment

by adding Methotrexate. She then left the University

and I was switched back to the prior rheumatologist.

Today I saw her for the first time in a couple of

years. She went over my notes and we discussed how I

needed a more aggressive form of treatment. She

stated at this time, since the knee was not very

swollen and not warm that she would rather I continue

the Sulfasalazine a little while longer before adding

a new drug because I am on medications for heart

palpitations, asthma, anxiety, Fibromyalgia, and the

RA. She said she would not be able to give me

Methotrexate (even though the doctor that just left

was going to give me that) due to the fact that I have

had abnormal liver enzymes since the year 1999. My

liver functions are tested every time I am at the

doctor and they have never lowered or been normal. I

had a myriad of tests done, mri, ultrasound and liver

biopsy a few years ago. She referred me back to the

Liver Clinic. She stated that we would add an

anti-TNF. She asked me if I knew what that was and I

told her I didn't or hadn't really looked in to what

they do in the body, but that I knew Humira or Enbrel

was one. She said that she would prescribe Enbrel and

that it was an injection done every 2 weeks. This

will begin in June. I was wondering what the

difference is between what Methotrexate does vs.

Enbrel? And what to expect when I begin the Enbrel? I

read that many have problems with nausea and hair loss

with Methotrexate but I am completely in the dark to

anything Enbrel might do? And if this course of

treatment sounded right to anyone? I thank you all so

much for any input.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

http://www./r/hs