Re: Enbrel and my Rummy

April 4, 2011

I take the self mix 2 injections per week. the self mix doesn't have the

preservative...the burn...that the premixed has. I only chose the self mix

because I had a horrible reaction to the preservative in the Humira.

I'm happy with the self mix. NO burn but you have to mix it yourself

which isn't hard at all. and enbrel sends you the kit and instructions. I

really love it.

I know when I looked at the Humira premixed...caustic acid was listed in

the premix. No wonder I had the burn that never went away... The enbrel

premixed didn't list that but I didn't want to take any chances. I take two

shots per week and it works wonderfully...a Godsend and have limited my

prednisone to 5 mg every other day...with 2.5 mgs in between.

Good luck...Hope this helps..a

OHIO

In a message dated 4/4/2011 11:40:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

betnden@... writes:

And I do mean RUMMY! My insurance only has 2 Rheumatologists listed in my

area since the insurance is so sorry, so my choice is limited. I've had

this

one before and went to the other one for a while. He was worse, so I had

to

fire him. Now I'm dealing with this rummy again and can't get answers or

help from him. My right wrist has been very painful for almost 2 years and

neither one would address it. My spine doc won't do anything about it

either. I'm just having no luck at all.

The Rummy wants me to start a Biologic so I can get off Prednisone. That

seems to be the big push today, not treating the cause it was prescribed

for

in the first place. I've been taking 5-15mg per day for 20 years and it

hasn't caused me any problems so far.

From what I've read here, Enbrel would be a good choice. I tried Humira a

couple of years ago and it wasbad for me. Within 4 weeks, I was hurting in

every joint in my body, so I had to quit it. As soon as I did, my body went

back to the way it was before. I've arranged co-pay assistance for Enbrel

and now have to decide which delivery system I want to take. Rummy won't

tell me anything except, " You decide, and I'll write the script " . He can't

tell me the difference between self-mix or sure-click or any other info

because it's 'not his job'! He can't tell me how the self-mix works or

anything more than how to spell the name of it. I don't know what to do,

but

am inclined to mix it myself and go with 25mg shots.

I even called Enbrel and they weren't too much more helpful. Do any of you

have any words of wisdom for me? I'd like to start it very soon because I

want some relief, not a runaround.

Dennis in eastexas

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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April 4, 2011

From what the Enbrel nurse described, the syringe comes loaded with the

liquid and you have to 'inject' it into the powder, then draw it back into

the syringe. Is that about right?

Dennis in eastexas

On Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 11:22 AM, <rascalsniche@...> wrote:

>

> I take the self mix 2 injections per week. the self mix doesn't have the

> preservative...the burn...that the premixed has. I only chose the self mix

> because I had a horrible reaction to the preservative in the Humira.

>

> I'm happy with the self mix. NO burn but you have to mix it yourself

> which isn't hard at all. and enbrel sends you the kit and instructions. I

> really love it.

>

> I know when I looked at the Humira premixed...caustic acid was listed in

> the premix. No wonder I had the burn that never went away... The enbrel

> premixed didn't list that but I didn't want to take any chances. I take two

>

> shots per week and it works wonderfully...a Godsend and have limited my

> prednisone to 5 mg every other day...with 2.5 mgs in between.

>

> Good luck...Hope this helps..a

> OHIO

>

> In a message dated 4/4/2011 11:40:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> betnden@... writes:

>

> And I do mean RUMMY! My insurance only has 2 Rheumatologists listed in my

> area since the insurance is so sorry, so my choice is limited. I've had

> this

> one before and went to the other one for a while. He was worse, so I had

> to

> fire him. Now I'm dealing with this rummy again and can't get answers or

> help from him. My right wrist has been very painful for almost 2 years and

> neither one would address it. My spine doc won't do anything about it

> either. I'm just having no luck at all.

>

> The Rummy wants me to start a Biologic so I can get off Prednisone. That

> seems to be the big push today, not treating the cause it was prescribed

> for

> in the first place. I've been taking 5-15mg per day for 20 years and it

> hasn't caused me any problems so far.

>

> From what I've read here, Enbrel would be a good choice. I tried Humira a

> couple of years ago and it wasbad for me. Within 4 weeks, I was hurting in

> every joint in my body, so I had to quit it. As soon as I did, my body went

> back to the way it was before. I've arranged co-pay assistance for Enbrel

> and now have to decide which delivery system I want to take. Rummy won't

> tell me anything except, " You decide, and I'll write the script " . He can't

> tell me the difference between self-mix or sure-click or any other info

> because it's 'not his job'! He can't tell me how the self-mix works or

> anything more than how to spell the name of it. I don't know what to do,

> but

> am inclined to mix it myself and go with 25mg shots.

>

> I even called Enbrel and they weren't too much more helpful. Do any of you

> have any words of wisdom for me? I'd like to start it very soon because I

> want some relief, not a runaround.

>

> Dennis in eastexas

>

April 4, 2011

Dennis,

I use the 25mg twice-weekly Enbrel that I mix myself. I tried the 50mg

once-weekly, and found that it didn't last as well for me. I then went

back to the 25mg. Another good thing about it is that it has no

preservative so doesn't sting when injected. It's easy to mix; the

directions come with it. I was an old pro in no time. I mix it and

then wait about 30 minutes or more so that it's no longer cold. I

usually rub some anti-itch cream on the site after injecting to

prevent injection site reactions.

Go ahead and try one or the other; if you don't like something about

it, you can always switch. Just go for it! I hope it helps you as much

as it does me.

I'm surprised that the Enbrel people weren't more helpful. Of course

they couldn't tell you outright what you should do.

Sue

On Apr 4, 2011, at 11:39 AM, Dennis W wrote:

>

> From what I've read here, Enbrel would be a good choice. I tried

> Humira a

> couple of years ago and it wasbad for me. Within 4 weeks, I was

> hurting in

> every joint in my body, so I had to quit it. As soon as I did, my

> body went

> back to the way it was before. I've arranged co-pay assistance for

> Enbrel

> and now have to decide which delivery system I want to take. Rummy

> won't

> tell me anything except, " You decide, and I'll write the script " . He

> can't

> tell me the difference between self-mix or sure-click or any other

> info

> because it's 'not his job'! He can't tell me how the self-mix works or

> anything more than how to spell the name of it. I don't know what to

> do, but

> am inclined to mix it myself and go with 25mg shots.

>

> I even called Enbrel and they weren't too much more helpful. Do any

> of you

> have any words of wisdom for me? I'd like to start it very soon

> because I

> want some relief, not a runaround.

April 4, 2011

Yes...there is a little plastic packet you get. it contains one vial of

enbrel liquid, one bottle of the powder that you premix with the liquid, also

one 27 1/2 Gauge needle,one plunger and an adapter and alcohol swabs.

when you order the first time you'll probably get a dispenser that removes the

lid on the powder and also video, instructions, and a needle disposal

container. All my info came in a little suitcase type box. I also asked my dr

to write a script for 30 Gauge 1/3 inch needles. I can take that to my

drugstore and they will give me a box of 100 that lasts forever. I don't like

the needles that come with the self mix because they seem dull to me but

others don't have a problem. the 30 gauge is finer.

I think if you go to the enbrel site it will show you steps for the self

mix...not sure if its under enliven or enbrel.

Good luck...it seems like a lot but once you get used to it, its a breeze.

You can also do the premix 50 mgs once a week and that may be easier for

you and it may not bother you. I'm sure there are a lot of people in group

that use the premix with no problems.

a

In a message dated 4/4/2011 1:13:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

betnden@... writes:

From what the Enbrel nurse described, the syringe comes loaded with the

liquid and you have to 'inject' it into the powder, then draw it back into

the syringe. Is that about right?

Dennis in eastexas

On Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 11:22 AM, <rascalsniche@...> wrote:

>

> I take the self mix 2 injections per week. the self mix doesn't have the

> preservative...the burn...that the premixed has. I only chose the self

mix

> because I had a horrible reaction to the preservative in the Humira.

>

> I'm happy with the self mix. NO burn but you have to mix it yourself

> which isn't hard at all. and enbrel sends you the kit and instructions. I

> really love it.

>

> I know when I looked at the Humira premixed...caustic acid was listed in

> the premix. No wonder I had the burn that never went away... The enbrel

> premixed didn't list that but I didn't want to take any chances. I take

two

>

> shots per week and it works wonderfully...a Godsend and have limited my

> prednisone to 5 mg every other day...with 2.5 mgs in between.

>

> Good luck...Hope this helps..a

> OHIO

>

> In a message dated 4/4/2011 11:40:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> betnden@... writes:

>

> And I do mean RUMMY! My insurance only has 2 Rheumatologists listed in my

> area since the insurance is so sorry, so my choice is limited. I've had

> this

> one before and went to the other one for a while. He was worse, so I had

> to

> fire him. Now I'm dealing with this rummy again and can't get answers or

> help from him. My right wrist has been very painful for almost 2 years

and

> neither one would address it. My spine doc won't do anything about it

> either. I'm just having no luck at all.

>

> The Rummy wants me to start a Biologic so I can get off Prednisone. That

> seems to be the big push today, not treating the cause it was prescribed

> for

> in the first place. I've been taking 5-15mg per day for 20 years and it

> hasn't caused me any problems so far.

>

> From what I've read here, Enbrel would be a good choice. I tried Humira a

> couple of years ago and it wasbad for me. Within 4 weeks, I was hurting

in

> every joint in my body, so I had to quit it. As soon as I did, my body

went

> back to the way it was before. I've arranged co-pay assistance for Enbrel

> and now have to decide which delivery system I want to take. Rummy won't

> tell me anything except, " You decide, and I'll write the script " . He

can't

> tell me the difference between self-mix or sure-click or any other info

> because it's 'not his job'! He can't tell me how the self-mix works or

> anything more than how to spell the name of it. I don't know what to do,

> but

> am inclined to mix it myself and go with 25mg shots.

>

> I even called Enbrel and they weren't too much more helpful. Do any of

you

> have any words of wisdom for me? I'd like to start it very soon because I

> want some relief, not a runaround.

>

> Dennis in eastexas

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

> ------------------------------------

>

April 4, 2011

I have been using the Enbrel Sureclick since it came out. It is sooo easy to

use. You have to keep it refrigerated. I take 50 mg. 1 x a week and have no

side effects from it. Follow the directions on the insert. I do let it " warm

up " for15 min. before I inject it, usually in my thigh, so it does not " burn. "

See if your rheumy and/or insurance company will go for this. And yes, there is

monetary support from Enbrel. Good luck.

>

> And I do mean RUMMY! My insurance only has 2 Rheumatologists listed in my

> area since the insurance is so sorry, so my choice is limited. I've had this

> one before and went to the other one for a while. He was worse, so I had to

> fire him. Now I'm dealing with this rummy again and can't get answers or

> help from him. My right wrist has been very painful for almost 2 years and

> neither one would address it. My spine doc won't do anything about it

> either. I'm just having no luck at all.

>

> The Rummy wants me to start a Biologic so I can get off Prednisone. That

> seems to be the big push today, not treating the cause it was prescribed for