Guest guest Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Hi, My insurance company denied my script for Humira because I have not tried Enbrel yet. Can someone tell me if Enbrel causes pain during injection like Humira? Also any side effects you have experienced. If Enbrel doesn't start to work after 3 months, my dr can call it a failure and I can get Humira. Is Humira really that much better than Enbrel? Thanks for any advice. Vicki --- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Vicki, I was on Enbrel. It stopped working for me after about nine months...but then again so does everything else. I took Enbrel twice a week. This is the form you mix fresh every time you inject it. It did not burn or sting like Humira. I was told the preservative in Humira is what makes it burn. There is also a 50mg once a week pre-mixed form of Enbrel. But again I have heard from many that use it that it also burns just like Enbrel. If enbrel is the drug you must start on I would pick the twice a week dose that you have to mix. You have the option of starting out taking the shots twice a week...and most docs for convience will let you take both shots on the day of your choice at one time. The only side effects I had from Enbrel was a site injection reaction. My skin turned red, got a rash and a hard lump like a large insect bite. This happened like two times and then I stopped taking enbrel. It was toward the end of me taking it. Toni in Texas In a message dated 9/20/2005 11:10:04 A.M. Central Daylight Time, Rheumatoid Arthritis writes: Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:15:31 -0500 (Central Standard Time) From: "Vicki" <hoyt91@...>Subject: EnbrelHi,My insurance company denied my script for Humira because I have not triedEnbrel yet. Can someone tell me if Enbrel causes pain during injection likeHumira? Also any side effects you have experienced.If Enbrel doesn't start to work after 3 months, my dr can call it a failureand I can get Humira.Is Humira really that much better than Enbrel?Thanks for any advice.Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Hi Vicky,My experience with Enbrel was short, it worked for a short time and then not anymore. I am on Humira now and it is not doing too much either... The two shot Enbrel that you mix yourself is not bad, no pain. The pre-mixed 50 mg was about the same as Humira as far as the burning goes. Good luck on whatever you try.SamOn Sep 19, 2005, at 11:15 AM, Vicki wrote: Hi, My insurance company denied my script for Humira because I have not tried Enbrel yet. Can someone tell me if Enbrel causes pain during injection like Humira? Also any side effects you have experienced. If Enbrel doesn't start to work after 3 months, my dr can call it a failure and I can get Humira. Is Humira really that much better than Enbrel? Thanks for any advice. Vicki <IMSTP.gif> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 In a message dated 9/19/2005 1:22:51 P.M. Central Standard Time, hoyt91@... writes: Hi, My insurance company denied my script for Humira because I have not tried Enbrel yet. Can someone tell me if Enbrel causes pain during injection like Humira? Also any side effects you have experienced. If Enbrel doesn't start to work after 3 months, my dr can call it a failure and I can get Humira. Is Humira really that much better than Enbrel? Thanks for any advice. Vicki Hi, I just started Enbrel 7 weeks ago, right after I had my first injection of MTX that almost killed me. While I still had MTX in my system the Enbrel worked great. The last couple of injections did burn for a short time, but I was happy that it was working and didn't have the yucky side effects that MTX and Arava have. Right now I am flaring in my wrists and elbows as I am ill with my 'Annual Labor Day Weekend Bronchitis'. I am trying to find a doctor who will prescribe an antibiotic for me, as I am allergic to most of them. My Rheumy wouldn't prescribe one for me. : ( Trying to pinch fat, hold the needle still and push the plunger are difficult for me to try to do at the same time, but since I am only injecting once a week it's not as bad as the pain and disability that I was in before being diagnosed. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 In a message dated 9/20/2005 11:26:05 P.M. Central Standard Time, hoyt91@... writes: -------Original Message------- From: StarsHutch@... Date: 09/20/05 22:26:32 Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: Enbrel Does MTX stand for methotrexate or another drug? I take methotrexate but I've been pretty bad all summer. I left a message for my Dr to fax a new script for Enbrel to the pharmacy and he sent the Humira script again! This is so frustrating. I'll have to call again and the lady at the pharmacy said she would call and try to expedite the script. I've been working on this for almost 3 weeks...gggrrrrr MTX = Methotrexate. Awful stuff, didn't work all that well either. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 -------Original Message------- From: StarsHutch@... Date: 09/20/05 22:26:32 Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: Enbrel Does MTX stand for methotrexate or another drug? I take methotrexate but I've been pretty bad all summer. I left a message for my Dr to fax a new script for Enbrel to the pharmacy and he sent the Humira script again! This is so frustrating. I'll have to call again and the lady at the pharmacy said she would call and try to expedite the script. I've been working on this for almost 3 weeks...gggrrrrr Vicki Hi, I just started Enbrel 7 weeks ago, right after I had my first injection of MTX that almost killed me. While I still had MTX in my system the Enbrel worked great. The last couple of injections did burn for a short time, but I was happy that it was working and didn't have the yucky side effects that MTX and Arava have. Right now I am flaring in my wrists and elbows as I am ill with my 'Annual Labor Day Weekend Bronchitis'. I am trying to find a doctor who will prescribe an antibiotic for me, as I am allergic to most of them. My Rheumy wouldn't prescribe one for me. : ( Trying to pinch fat, hold the needle still and push the plunger are difficult for me to try to do at the same time, but since I am only injecting once a week it's not as bad as the pain and disability that I was in before being diagnosed. Becky --- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 I don't feel that the MTX does anything for me either, but I am told that as a DMARD (Disease modifying anti rheumatic drug), its still important to take to prevent joint destruction. I know with these abatacept infusions, that still want me to stay on the MTX. Gentle Hugs to all, Miriam > > > In a message dated 9/20/2005 11:26:05 P.M. Central Standard Time, > hoyt91@u... writes: > > > > -------Original Message------- > > > From: _StarsHutch@a..._ (mailto:StarsHutch@a...) > Date: 09/20/05 22:26:32 > _Rheumatoid Arthritis _ > (mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ) > Subject: Re: Enbrel > > Does MTX stand for methotrexate or another drug? I take methotrexate but > I've been pretty bad all summer. I left a message for my Dr to fax a new > script for Enbrel to the pharmacy and he sent the Humira script again! This is > so frustrating. I'll have to call again and the lady at the pharmacy said she > would call and try to expedite the script. I've been working on this for > almost 3 weeks...gggrrrrr > > > MTX = Methotrexate. Awful stuff, didn't work all that well either. > > > > Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 I've taken MTX - methotrexate for over 10 years with no problems. It's worked for me up until this summer. Only side effects were a little fatigue and nausea...and that was only when I was taking 6 or more pills a week...if I was under 6 pills I didn't have any fatigue. Like any other drug, some will get good results and some won't. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 StarsHutch@... wrote: In a message dated 9/20/2005 11:26:05 P.M. Central Standard Time, hoyt91@... writes: -------Original Message------- From: StarsHutch@... Date: 09/20/05 22:26:32 Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: Enbrel Does MTX stand for methotrexate or another drug? I take methotrexate but I've been pretty bad all summer. I left a message for my Dr to fax a new script for Enbrel to the pharmacy and he sent the Humira script again! This is so frustrating. I'll have to call again and the lady at the pharmacy said she would call and try to expedite the script. I've been working on this for almost 3 weeks...gggrrrrr MTX = Methotrexate. Awful stuff, didn't work all that well either. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 I take Humira. I do believe it has stopped, or at least slowed, the erosion in my joints. I haven't had any increase with any kind of infections. > > I'm thinking of asking my rheumy about Enbrel when I see her next week. > I think I need something more than the MTX I've been taking. I'm > nervous about infections, though. I've had one cold in 2 years, haven't > missed a day of work. But my hands and feet hurt and I'm SO tired again. > My last X-rays revealed an erosion despite being on MTX. Thoughts about > biologic safety? Your own experiences with infection? > > Sierra > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 Hi, I've been on Enbrel for 3 years and have had no serious infections. I have had to stop the injections a handful of times when I've gotten colds or upper respiratory bugs but they were no worse than w/o Enbrel and the drug worked really well for me until just the last few months. Coicidentally, I'm heading to the rheumy this afternoon and plan to finally take him up on his offer of remicade. I think it's time. Enbrel brought me to about 90% of normal, he thinks Remicade will be the final answer. My concern is after the remicade stops working, what's next? He indicates Humira is about as effect as Enbrel & that Remicade is most powerful. lottie > > I'm thinking of asking my rheumy about Enbrel when I see her next week. > I think I need something more than the MTX I've been taking. I'm > nervous about infections, though. I've had one cold in 2 years, haven't > missed a day of work. But my hands and feet hurt and I'm SO tired again. > My last X-rays revealed an erosion despite being on MTX. Thoughts about > biologic safety? Your own experiences with infection? > > Sierra > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 I’ve been on Methotrexate for 4 years and Remicade for about 3-1/2 years and so far haven’t had anything significant in the way of colds and have never had to skip an infusion because of illness. I don’t get checked regularly for new erosions but my doctor is satisfied that they have been slowed or stopped. As for safety of biologicals, I think the warnings about lymphoma and heart problems do not reflect a comparison with others with severe RA, but a comparison with the general public. Other studies of people with severe RA but not on biologicals show about the same increase in these problems so I don’t think the biologicals are responsible for the problems stated in the warnings. The problem with activating latent TB seems to be real, however, and a TB test before starting the biologicals is good because this activation can be avoided with proper pretreatment. God bless. From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of snowdrift52003 Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 4:30 AM Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Enbrel I'm thinking of asking my rheumy about Enbrel when I see her next week. I think I need something more than the MTX I've been taking. I'm nervous about infections, though. I've had one cold in 2 years, haven't missed a day of work. But my hands and feet hurt and I'm SO tired again. My last X-rays revealed an erosion despite being on MTX. Thoughts about biologic safety? Your own experiences with infection? Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 I love Remicade although it doesnt seem to be working as well as in the past. That is my fault though because I waited far too long to have my last infusion. Almost 16 weeks. I think my body loses memory or TNF binding capacity. I havent had problems with infection, though I am slow to heal from a bruise etc but I am anemic. My benefit originally in 2000 was almost instantaneous. I didnt even take MTX because I felt so much better. It will help with fatigue. Make sure you get a bone scan to be sure you arent suffering from Osteoporosis. MTX can leach folic acid and calcium out of you. Take a super multi. Hugs, Deborah On 4/26/06, snowdrift52003 <snowdrift52003@...> wrote: I'm thinking of asking my rheumy about Enbrel when I see her next week.I think I need something more than the MTX I've been taking. I'm nervous about infections, though. I've had one cold in 2 years, haven'tmissed a day of work. But my hands and feet hurt and I'm SO tired again.My last X-rays revealed an erosion despite being on MTX. Thoughts about biologic safety? Your own experiences with infection?Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 Hi Sierra, This is Steph in VA. I have had RA for 6.5 years & have been taking Remicade for 6 years. Like Harold, I have not had any infections or allergic reactions to Remicade. I do not have any concerns about the safety of Remicade. I also agree with Harold about the risk of TB. The TB test requirement came out after I started Remicade, but I have since been tested. In the time I have been on Remicade I have delayed treatment only once -- but that was for a car accident. As an aside, we as arthritis patients are at a higher risk for a number of illnesses, no one's safety is guaranteed. Recently my friend's very healthy 28 year old husband had a heart attack & my 48 year old very healthy rheumy just died of a heart attack last month. Weighly the risks vs. benefits of medications is a big decision for us. I chose to take the risk and I have been very satisfied with the benefits of my treatment. Take care, Steph in VA I'm thinking of asking my rheumy about Enbrel when I see her next week. I think I need something more than the MTX I've been taking. I'm nervous about infections, though. I've had one cold in 2 years, haven't missed a day of work. But my hands and feet hurt and I'm SO tired again.My last X-rays revealed an erosion despite being on MTX. Thoughts about biologic safety? Your own experiences with infection?Sierra ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Never underestimate the power of a small, dedicated group of people to change the world -- indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead) AmeriCorps Alums -- We're Still Getting Things Done Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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