Re: Enbrel stories - Sharon

[Guest guest]

1) How long have you been on Enbrel? 2 Years

(2) Have you noticed an improvement, and if so, how long

did it take to notice? I noticed an improvement in the joints and also the

breathing and voice. The joints in about a month, I really didn't notice the

breathing and voice until I had to go off from it for a couple of weeks due

to getting sick.

(3) What other drugs do you take for RP?Imuran, Prednisone,

Naprosyn, Salagen, Folic Acid, MaxAir Inhaler and I just switched from

Flovent Inhaler to Advair, I also take a variety of other meds to offset side

affects of RP drugs.

(4) Are you having any side effects? The only thing to watch

out for is being exposed to someone who is sick, because you are very

susceptible to infection because the Enbrel disables the Tumor Necrosis

Factor in your immune system (The part that responds to infection). This was

drilled into my head by the doctor and the nurse - first sign of infection

off the drug and to the doctor and you don't go back on until the doc says

it's ok! I was able to get a flu vaccine, it has to be a dead vaccine and

you have to go off the Enbrel 2 weeks prior.

(5) Have you been able to get off prednisone, or other

drugs, since you have been on Enbrel?I was able to lower the Imuran and Pred

until I had a bad flare this last winter, I am currently lowering pred again

- currently down to 14 mg. was at 60mg at top of flare.

Patty B.

[Guest guest]

1) How long have you been on Enbrel? 2 Years

(2) Have you noticed an improvement, and if so, how long

did it take to notice? I noticed an improvement in the joints and also the

breathing and voice. The joints in about a month, I really didn't notice the

breathing and voice until I had to go off from it for a couple of weeks due

to getting sick.

(3) What other drugs do you take for RP?Imuran, Prednisone,

Naprosyn, Salagen, Folic Acid, MaxAir Inhaler and I just switched from

Flovent Inhaler to Advair, I also take a variety of other meds to offset side

affects of RP drugs.

(4) Are you having any side effects? The only thing to watch

out for is being exposed to someone who is sick, because you are very

susceptible to infection because the Enbrel disables the Tumor Necrosis

Factor in your immune system (The part that responds to infection). This was

drilled into my head by the doctor and the nurse - first sign of infection

off the drug and to the doctor and you don't go back on until the doc says

it's ok! I was able to get a flu vaccine, it has to be a dead vaccine and

you have to go off the Enbrel 2 weeks prior.

(5) Have you been able to get off prednisone, or other

drugs, since you have been on Enbrel?I was able to lower the Imuran and Pred

until I had a bad flare this last winter, I am currently lowering pred again

- currently down to 14 mg. was at 60mg at top of flare.

Patty B.