Reaction to Enbrel | Arthritis Information

 

Hi Everyone,

I had bumps at the injection site and sometimes my neck would break out and itch. Dr. suggested I take 2 benedryl a half hour before shot and if it keeps bothering me, take it every four hours. I did that for the first couple of months and then one day I ran out of benedry and found that I didn't get the bumps or rashes anymore. I also did the same thing when I was on humira for 8 months. I have lots of allergies anyway, dust, pollen, hay, cats, etc. so it could just be from that too???? Thank you CinDee.  Right now it doesn't itch, and I wouldn't even know it was there if I didn't see it.  It does always go away, but it's just weird that I only recently started having a reaction. I sometimes get welts, tend to go away after a day or two.  I think it's a pretty common occurence, but mention it to your doctor if your concerned.  My worst welt was probably about 3 months after starting.  I wonder sometimes if it's when I don't have the pen at quite the right angle. It hasn't been a problem for me.  My doctor told me to take a Claritin the night before, which I do (...when I don't forget). I've been taking Enbrel for, gosh, a long time now.  I get the itchy welts, they last a total of 3 days or so.  It's not a big deal.  Tell your doc but don't worry about him taking it away.  It's a pretty common side effect.I do the shot at night.. by morning the welt is gone and it never really itches much.  (I've been taking enbrel since March 08)I don't have any problems with my Enbrel but that's what happens to me when I react from one of my allergy shots.  Definitely sounds like an allergic reaction.Overall, I'm relieved that this sounds normal.  However the last post stating allergic reaction does concern me a bit.  It is definitley some sort of reaction, but if it's no big deal I guess I won't worry about it.  I will mention it to my doctor next visit. I get the itchy reaction every once in a while and put It may be the presertivitve.  I've never tried to mix it myself, but that sounds too stressful.  I guess as long as it's not reallly harming me in the long run it's okay.  Enbrel has really helped me regain function, and I don't want to lose that! Nori..I never had a problem on my first few injections then i got a welt that spread all down my leg and swelled up. I still took my next weeks one and had no problem again for a few weeks, it happened again so i eventually came off the enbrel, lots of others i know take it with no problems or just at the injection site. Its different for everyone i thinkHi Nori, when I tried Enbrel, every injection caused a welt and the next injection would cause all the previous sites to swell up as welts so every injection I would have all these itchy red swellings everywhere used to turn up.  Then I started to have tongue tinglings and throat tightenings so I was removed from it very quickly so all I can say is keep a close eye on it and report any significant changes immediately to your Dr.  Good luck Nori, regards Janie. Thanks, Janie.Thanks, Lisa.  Hopefully mine will remain at the injection site.  Right now it's very manageable.I have been on Enrbel 2-1/2 years and this also happens to me.

I have noticed that once I start a new lot# of an Enbrel prescription the reactions are the worst. Then they lessen as my body seems to get used to it. Then I get a new prescription and lot# and it starts again.

None of the allergy meds have worked for me with this problem.I started getting the "welt" after the second shot. It grows a bit and is warm to the touch, but does not itch. I asked rheumy and she said it is normal.
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