diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis | Arthritis Information

Hi. I have had psoriasis for about 35 years. Just recently I had a HUGE flare-up and pain in my entire left side of my body (swelling, redness, extreme pain). I went to a rheumatologist and had the works done. The diagnosis was psoriatic arthritis. I have had a cortisone shot, pain killers, and am on Celebrex twice daily. I have not had any relief. I am beginning Enbrel next week. i am concerned about the possible side effects.

Any suggestions or advice for me?

Thanks,

John

Hi John, welcome to the forum. Hopefully Enbrel will be your magic medicine. Do research on the web and read all you can about Enbrel, including side effects. Also, your RD should have gone over the details of the med with you and given you literature.

Did your RD presecribe folic acid? If not, call RD and ask about folic acid. Sometimes you can get mouth sores. I use a weak hydrogen peroxide mix with water and rinse my mouth once a day. When I was on Enbrel I never had any mouth sores. You need to take precautions around ill people. Enbrel suppresses your immune system. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap many times a day. There are hundreds of things you need to know about a biologic drug such as Enbrel and that's why you need to read as much as you can about the drug. Search this site for Enbrel topics and read through the threads.

Good luck with your progress and keep us posted. Lindy

Hi John.....I have been taking enbrel since the spring and I haven't had any side effects. It's doing what it's supposed to and it's helped me so much. I don't have PA, just good ol RA. I hope you have the smae positive result that I'm having. Welcome to the board.

Linda

I have nothing to add. I just saw that you were new and wanted to say Welcome!

Thank you to all who have responded.

I will read as much as I can. I hope it works for me as I am very miserable right now (physically and emotionally).

John

Hi John,

Another possiblility is treating our AI diseases with antibiotics which have a milder side effect profile. Starting at the beginning is usually a good thing.

Check out www.roadback.org

Sorry you had to find us but glad you're here.

Pip

John,

You might want to take a look at this info.

ACR: Enbrel (Etanercept) Effective for Psoriatic Arthritis

Enbrel (etanercept) is an effective treatment for psoriatic arthritis and reduces the severity of psoriasis in patients with the condition.

These results, from a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study, were presented today (Nov.12) at the American Academy of Rheumatology annual meeting in San Francisco, California.

"We have known for some time that etanercept, or Enbrel, works very well in treating rheumatoid arthritis. So we have been very curious about how far-reaching its effects would be in other rheumatic diseases, like psoriatic arthritis," said lead researcher Philip Mease, MD, of Seattle Rheumatology Associates and the Swedish Hospital Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, in an interview with Doctor’s Guide.

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/20D6E6.htm

Welcome to the board,

Lynn

ps....I have RA and I used Enbrel for 9 months. I had no significant side effects whatsoever.

Lynn4939396.3249652778

John, I knew that you would get more responses here at the RA sight. I wish you well, but you may have to try a couple of things, before you find the fit for you. I hope the Embrel works wonders...my RD would not even Rx that to me...but we have not found the right fit as of yet.

Take care, shel

Enbrel worked for 2 years on my PA - no side effects! God bless!

I am seemingly having a strange side effect from Enbrel. I began it one week ago and two days ago I began having a vibrating feeling in my thigh. I thought my cell phone was in my pocket and vibrating. It occurs several times each hour and shows no sign of movement in the muscle when it happens.

Has anyone ever had this "symptom"?

Thanks,

John

Hi John, and welcome to AI> I haven't been on enbrel (yet, awaiting some financial aid or a miracle to come thru so I can afford it) but I do have twitches in my hip and leg. I think it muscle spasms. You can actually see the muscles in my leg twitch. It's crazy! It doesn't hurt but it is a strange sensation. It usually happens after my muscle relaxers first start to kick in. I guess maybe cuz' my muslce is loosening up?????????

Take care,

John, we haven't heard from you since the ninth. Are you ok? Did you notice any difference? I hope all is well, and you are busy recapturing your life!

Thanks for the concern Shelly.

The Enbrel has not helped yet (but it has only been a week).

I just have a few strange things going on (the vibrating sensation). Someone suggested muscle spasms but there is not movement or twitching. I'm talking to the doctor today so maybe he will have some ideas.

Thanks,

John

John, welcome. I have PA also, and am on enbrel. It has helped me. But also i am on prednisone, and unable to successfully get off it. It took about 6 weeks to feel any benifit, then i decreased my pred. and my pain and fatiuge came back:(. Hang in there,and keep us posted:)

kel