The Stiffies with Enbrel

[Guest guest]

Hi Group:

I love my Enbrel too. I have been on it for 8 months now, what a difference it

made in my life!!. I was sick for a month and now recovered, I started taking

it again, I am on my third week of Enbrel again, yet I notice my RA Stiffies

coming back to haunt me. Before Enbrel it would take me 2 hours to un-stiff in

the morning, after about 6 months, it was 5 minutes, but now the time is

increasing to like 15 minutes (this is how I gage my RA). I do take 5 mgs of

prednisone daily and pain meds, I am just praying that this is the after-effect

of not taking my Enbrel for one month and it having to build back up into my

system.

Another thing I am noticing is that I have stiffies in the middle of the night,

I guess its a product of sleeping in the same position, but it HURTS (and I take

pain meds to go to sleep everynite)....

At least that is what I pray for (that the Enbrel has to build back up).

I dont know about anyone else, but I truly worry about myself, about how bad

this might get, I try to keep positive, but my body brings me back to reality

every morning. I have trouble uncurling my hands in the morning and I limp

terribly until the stiffies go away (15 minutes feels like a lifetime somedays).

OKD

[Guest guest]

Hi OKD.  I am so glad the Enbrel works for you, and I wish you continued

success with it.  I hate the " Stiffies " too.  For me, it is still the ankles

and feet.  When I get up in the morning, I am just so afraid of falling,

because they just don't want to work.  I do exercise them in the pool daily,

and while I am in bed.  I guess we just have to life with the " stiffies " .  I

feel badly about your hands.  That's how my hands were in my first flare. 

Unbelievable that hands can bend like that!  Plus they are so sore......

 

I hope the more time you take Enbrel, that all your RA symptons will go away. 

What a relief that will be!!!!

 

Take care, and once again, thanks for your very words to me.  I appreciate it

so much.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: OKD <Cofade_2000@...>

Subject: [ ] The Stiffies with Enbrel

Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 11:04 AM

 

Hi Group:

I love my Enbrel too. I have been on it for 8 months now, what a difference it

made in my life!!. I was sick for a month and now recovered, I started taking it

again, I am on my third week of Enbrel again, yet I notice my RA Stiffies coming

back to haunt me. Before Enbrel it would take me 2 hours to un-stiff in the

morning, after about 6 months, it was 5 minutes, but now the time is increasing

to like 15 minutes (this is how I gage my RA). I do take 5 mgs of prednisone

daily and pain meds, I am just praying that this is the after-effect of not

taking my Enbrel for one month and it having to build back up into my system.

Another thing I am noticing is that I have stiffies in the middle of the night,

I guess its a product of sleeping in the same position, but it HURTS (and I take

pain meds to go to sleep everynite)....

At least that is what I pray for (that the Enbrel has to build back up).

I dont know about anyone else, but I truly worry about myself, about how bad

this might get, I try to keep positive, but my body brings me back to reality

every morning. I have trouble uncurling my hands in the morning and I limp

terribly until the stiffies go away (15 minutes feels like a lifetime somedays).

OKD

[Guest guest]

Hi OKD, I hope the stiffies keep decreasing. If I were off Enbrel for a month

because of illness, I'd be a mess and it would take me several weeks to get

things quieted down. I was off for 2 weeks once and that was enough to buy me a

course of prednisone and a whole lot of ouchiness. Do you have access to a

pool? I found that a godsend when I was flaring. The cool water helps sore

joints and you really feel you've conquered RA when you get out and exercise. I

wasn't swimming the English Channel, I'd just lay on a kickboard and cruise up

and down the pool. But I'd sleep better and it helps my mood. I wonder if

getting a maternity pillow, or something to help support your joints might help

at night. If you're a side sleeper try a flat pillow between your knees. And

do you snuggle with a heating pad on low? Another trick I had while flaring was

to set my alarm an hour or so early and take some Tylenol before it was time to

get up. It would kick

in while I was resting and it made the launch out of bed easier.

Best, Kate F

________________________________

From: OKD <Cofade_2000@...>

Sent: Tue, May 25, 2010 10:04:23 AM

Subject: [ ] The Stiffies with Enbrel

Hi Group:

I love my Enbrel too. I have been on it for 8 months now, what a difference it

made in my life!!. I was sick for a month and now recovered, I started taking

it again, I am on my third week of Enbrel again, yet I notice my RA Stiffies

coming back to haunt me. Before Enbrel it would take me 2 hours to un-stiff in

the morning, after about 6 months, it was 5 minutes, but now the time is

increasing to like 15 minutes (this is how I gage my RA). I do take 5 mgs of

prednisone daily and pain meds, I am just praying that this is the after-effect

of not taking my Enbrel for one month and it having to build back up into my

system.

Another thing I am noticing is that I have stiffies in the middle of the night,

I guess its a product of sleeping in the same position, but it HURTS (and I take

pain meds to go to sleep everynite)....

At least that is what I pray for (that the Enbrel has to build back up).

I dont know about anyone else, but I truly worry about myself, about how bad

this might get, I try to keep positive, but my body brings me back to reality

every morning. I have trouble uncurling my hands in the morning and I limp

terribly until the stiffies go away (15 minutes feels like a lifetime somedays).

OKD