Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 Hi everyone, I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 Hi Jeannie, I've been on Enbrel for about a year. I also take MTX, Prednisone 20 mg+, Plaquinil, and Oxycodone 5-10 MG. It took about 3 weeks to a month before I really started getting results from the Enbrel, but it has made all the defference in the world for me. My morning stiffness is all but gone, pain is mangable by 5-10 mg of Oxycodone, and fatigue is less than before Enbrel. I understand it doewn't work for everyone, but if it does it is great. I hope it works for you, hang in there. Jay > > Hi everyone, > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 Hi Jeannie, You definitely need to give Enbrel some more time to work. Everyone is different, but I was on Enbrel for a while and I found about 50% improvement on it. I switched to Humira and would say I am about 90% improved, like I almost feel normal, RA-wise! Enbrel may work better for you than it did for me, but you need to give it a good 6 months. I didn't like having to inject myself twice a week. Humira is once every 2 weeks but it burns like crazy, so I suppose there is a trade-off there. Good luck, > > Hi everyone, > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 Jeannie, You said " just like I did on MTX " , does that mean your not taking Methotrexate now? Enbrel goes with MTX. If your Dr. took you off discuss this with him/her. Best wishes, Jay > > Hi everyone, > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 Yes,I wa on MTX by itself for 8 months with no result. Now I'm on Enbrel by itself. My Dr. said she is going to add MTX back, but wants to do things one at a time because I have had so many reactions to different drugs. Thanks for your reply, Jeannie > > > > Hi everyone, > > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day > after? > > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 hi, Jeannie! I have been on and off enbrel for the past two years = I needed to go off for two surgeries = and I do feel better on than off = it is no miracle, but anything that helps so I can go to work if alright with me. I take the shot and go to bed; when I awaken the next morning, I really don't notice feeling unusually tired. gentle hugs, Marcia --- Jeannie <jeanniemalinda@...> wrote: > > Hi everyone, > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 The vicodin alone would make me tired. It knocks me out. I can't imagine being on Oxycontin along with those meds. Is it normal for those two drugs be prescribed for RA? I've only been given vicodin while awaiting a surgery appt. Otherwise I take MTX 12.5mg once a week, 10mg prednisone and naproxen 1000 mg a day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com > > Hi everyone, > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 I was on Prednisone and Motrin when I finally got to see a Rhumatologist. He immediately took me off the motrin. He said being on steroids AND NSAIDS greatly increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. If your on both I would discuss it with your primary care physician. Jay --- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " Maggie " <meshouse@e...> wrote: > The vicodin alone would make me tired. It knocks me out. I can't imagine > being on Oxycontin along with those meds. Is it normal for those two drugs > be prescribed for RA? I've only been given vicodin while awaiting a surgery > appt. Otherwise I take MTX 12.5mg once a week, 10mg prednisone and naproxen > 1000 mg a day. > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Maggie > http://www.4HockeyFans.com > http://www.4FloridaHockey.com > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? > > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Jay, FYI I take enbrel alone. I tried MTX for two years, but my lab tests showed that my liver was not doing well.....so the decision was made to do the enbrel alone, and it works for me! gentle hugs, MarciaJay Bishop <jbirdak@...> wrote: Jeannie, You said "just like I did on MTX", does that mean your not taking Methotrexate now?Enbrel goes with MTX. If your Dr. took you off discuss this with him/her.Best wishes,Jay> > Hi everyone,> I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day after? > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Marcia, That is a very good reason for not taking MTX. So far I'm lucky in that my blood test show no problems with my liver. I'm glad the Enbrel alone is helping you. I hope and pray it works for us for a very long time. Hugs back, Jay > > > > Hi everyone, > > I just finished my 2nd week of Enbrel. The Dr. said it could take > > up to 3 months to determine if it is working, and so far I can't > > seen any benefits. In fact, I seem to get very tired the day AFTER > > my shot, just like I did on Mehotrexate, which I have also tried. > > Is anyone else on Enbrel and do you get really tired the day > after? > > Have you been on it long enough to tell if it is of benefit? I'm > > also on Prednisone 20 mgs daily and Oxycontin 40 mgs daily, and > > Vicodin as needed for pain. Jeannie > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 My Doctor put me on Humira when I expressed concern about giving myself shots twice a week... and it did nothing for me. I am now on Remicade and I truly don't see any difference either. What works is the steroid's and it seems nothing else works. When I was originally started on Enbrel, my rheumatologist told me it could take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months before I'd be able to tell a difference. Thankfully I could tell a difference after 3 shots. My regimen is now Enbrel, Methyltrexate, Naprosyn, & Folic Acid. I don't take any steroids unless I'm having a flare-up. I've been on Enbrel for about 18 months now & it has made a tremendous difference in my life! I would strongly encourage you to give it some more time. Chrisina DenBaugh, CEOwww.Adoption-Free-Search.orgEmergency Medical Locators for Adoptees"Dedicated to adoptees whose lives are imperiled by medical crisis"Free Medical locations Locating and obtaining biological medical histories For the adoption community and all in needBiological family traces for transplants availableStaff members are online 24/7 To handle emergency searches.Donations of old databases, year books, cross directories greatly appreciated Fax: 775-845-4334No one should die because they are adoptedIF YOU CAN FOSTER OR ADOPT A DOG IN ANY STATE PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ONCE. Feed a Dog in Need Click on site below http://www.animalrescuesite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites.woa/237Donations are not currentyTax Deductible http://www.adoption-free-search.org/Donate.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 When I was originally started on Enbrel, my rheumatologist told me it could take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months before I'd be able to tell a difference. Thankfully I could tell a difference after 3 shots. My regimen is now Enbrel, Methyltrexate, Naprosyn, & Folic Acid. I don't take any steroids unless I'm having a flare-up. I've been on Enbrel for about 18 months now & it has made a tremendous difference in my life! I would strongly encourage you to give it some more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 In a message dated 4/9/2005 6:51:46 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, gonzo_skye@... writes: Hello all, I am on Enbrel .Started in Dec or January. Had to stop it for surgery then I started again then I had a sinus infection,had to stop . Now I have an upper respitory inf. so I am off of it again.I was just starting to feel the effects of it. I had energy!! I haven't had that in years and years................Skye Hi How long were you off of the Enbrel once the surgery was done? I'm on it too. Abby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 In a message dated 4/9/2005 9:51:22 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, meshouse@... writes: Why is enbrel so expensive? I don't know but I am fortunate in that my insurance pays for it and my co-pay is $15. Abby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 In a message dated 4/9/2005 10:42:39 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, meshouse@... writes: I'm sure my insurance would pay for it too. I'm just happy MTX is working for me at this point. I've heard it was like $2,000 a month? that is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 Hello all, I am on Enbrel .Started in Dec or January. Had to stop it for surgery then I started again then I had a sinus infection,had to stop . Now I have an upper respitory inf. so I am off of it again.I was just starting to feel the effects of it. I had energy!! I haven't had that in years and years................Skye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 ***MEDICARE PART D WILL BE STARTING IN JANUARY 2006. THAT MEANS DRUG PRESCRIPTION BENEFITS......KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN. NO SET FORMULARY AS YET, BUT AS I FIND OUT I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW.........deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 Every six weeks, REMICADE costs almost 6k. It is a cost effective method from enbrel and only one infusion per two months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 Why is enbrel so expensive? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 I'm sure my insurance would pay for it too. I'm just happy MTX is working for me at this point. I've heard it was like $2,000 a month? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 -----Original Message-----From: getcoffee@... [mailto:getcoffee@...]Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 1:01 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: RE: ENBREL In a message dated 4/9/2005 9:51:22 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, meshouse@... writes: Why is enbrel so expensive? I don't know but I am fortunate in that my insurance pays for it and my co-pay is $15. Abby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: Maggie > Why is enbrel so expensive? Probably because it's so new and there are no generics yet. I've heard it said that the first pill of a new drug costs $4M, the rest are 49 cents. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: Maggie > I'm sure my insurance would pay for it too. I'm just happy MTX is working for me at this point. I've heard it was like $2,000 a month? I heard $1700. I also heard from one woman who said her insurance would only pay $1500 per YEAR. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 Lucinda, Did I read this correctly that you are only taking ONE 25mg shot of enbrel a week? Most people take 50mg of Enbrel a week....either they take 25mg injection twice a week..this is the kind that you have to mix...or they are on the new premixed Enbrel which is one 50mg injection a week. Toni In a message dated 4/9/05 3:03:16 P.M. Central Daylight Time, Rheumatoid Arthritis writes: Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2005 14:46:36 -0500 From: Lucinda Burris <lucinda.burris@...>Subject: Re: RE: ENBRELI started 25 mg shots of Enbrel about six weeks ago. When I picked it up, the label said the insurance part was $1232 for 8 shots. My co-pay is only $20. I couldn't have this medicine without insurance. Of course, it hasn't been a miracle drug yet, but I'm trying to be patient. My rheumatologist is considering doubling my dose if I don't get better results soon.Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 I started 25 mg shots of Enbrel about six weeks ago. When I picked it up, the label said the insurance part was $1232 for 8 shots. My co-pay is only $20. I couldn't have this medicine without insurance. Of course, it hasn't been a miracle drug yet, but I'm trying to be patient. My rheumatologist is considering doubling my dose if I don't get better results soon. Lucinda Nina wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Maggie <mailto:meshouse@...> > >> I'm sure my insurance would pay for it too. I'm just happy MTX is > working for me at this point. I've heard it was like $2,000 a month? > > I heard $1700. I also heard from one woman who said her insurance > would only pay $1500 per YEAR. > > Nina > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 Alls I can say is just......... WOW! When I first started taking MTX my rheumatologist at the time prescribed zofran...they were about $10. a pill and I thought that was bad. Never needed them tho. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 -----Original Message-----From: dbargad@... [mailto:dbargad@...]Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 4:24 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: RE: ENBREL Every six weeks, REMICADE costs almost 6k. It is a cost effective method from enbrel and only one infusion per two months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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