My RA doc has decided to put me on Enbrel. I go back in 2 days to learn how to inject myself, etc. This is the first real RA med I have ever been on (except for Prednisone on and off the past 2 years and MTX for a very short time....played havoc with my liver enzymes).
Anyway, I have a couple questions about Enbrel....
1. The most obvious....how did you handle having to give your self weekly injections initially? Any tricks of the trade? And what part of the body is best (ie most comfortable) for the injections? Do you have to rotate where you give yourself the injection?
2. What about most common side effects? The pamphlet they give me lists everything under the sun, but I know they have to tell you that.
3. How soon did you notice results?
4. How long have you been on Enbrel? Does it eventually stop being effective and you have to switch to another med?
Thanks so much everyone! And actually I'm more excited than nervous!
Ivan
Hello Ivan,
Sorry the MTX caused you liver problems. I liked the MTX but as time went on... it quit working as well as it did and I had to move on to Enbrel...I have only been using it for 3 months and I haven't had any side effects with it, so far.
I had the first injection in the doctors office and my husband gives me mine but if he is not available, I will do it and I always use the area around (2 inches from) my belly button. I have never had any pain using that area. I haven't tried the arm area yet, not in a real hurry to as long as the stomach area is working well for me. I did use the upper leg area...never again...that area hurts, at least for me it did. I personally do not like shots but I found that it isn't as bad as I made it out to be. It's a do-er
I let my Enbrel sit out at room temperature for 40 min. Then I make sure there is no bubble in the syringe and sorta shake off any excess Enbrel off the tip of the needle. Pinch up the area I plan on using, wipe the area with alcohol, let it dry and then gentle push the needle in ( let go of the skin that I pinched up) and slowly push the lever down...rarley do I have any burning sensation.
No signs of infection, no site reaction, so far, no sign of Lymphoma ( I am always checking for that) and there does not seem to be any problems taking this medication with my medications for latent TB...which could have become a problem.
About 3 weeks after my first injection of Enbrel, my neck pain seemed to minimize...took longer for it to help out my knee's and my wrist and I feel I am not quite where I would like to be after taking the Enbrel for the amount of time I have been on it...I am going to watch it for the next month and if there is no more improvement I may see if taking it 2 times a week works better. If that does not show improvement then I will have to change over to another biologic.
I hope that the Enbrel is the biologic that gives you the help that you are looking for. It may work right away (2 weeks) or take a little longer. It works differently for everyone.
I can see through the way you are writing, that you are happy and excited about getting the chance to try out the Enbrel...I am smiling with you...Give it some time to work and I bet you will wish that you where placed on it sooner.
Take care of yourself Ivan and keep on smiling.
Toni
Ivan, My results on Enbrel were amazing the first time I had my injection. Problem was, it takes time to accumulate in your system for long lasting effects and I have been taken off it twice due to infection. I don't blame Enbrel as much as stress for my infections. If you do have immediate results, prepare yourself that it probably won't last all week in the beginning. That was a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. As far as giving injections, my hubby did the first three, they hurt so little that I decided to give them myself. NO BIG DEAL. In fact, yesterday I did it myself. I do like it better when he does it but that is probably a "girl thing"
I have been back on Enbrel for six weeks. The effects are pretty much lasting all week - problem is being exposed to winter illness. I have a cold now and I am worried rd will take me off Enbrel until it is gone. They say it takes up to 3 months to get the full effects of Enbrel and I have never made it to 3 months but I am hoping this time I will. I have what my rd calls aggressive ra as I always have inflammation. Last week he told me I looked the best I ever have. That is due to Enbrel.
Let us know how it goes and I hope you join the Enbrel Fan Club. Roxanne
[QUOTE=roxy]
Let us know how it goes and I hope you join the Enbrel Fan Club. Roxanne[/QUOTE]
There is a Fan Club for Enbrel? Crikey
There sure is and I bet you will be joing it too...LOL.
Toni and Roxanne,
Thank you both for the wonderful information! And Toni, you know your stuff so well that you should be on the Enbrel payroll!
I have seronegative RA, but it has progressed somewhat over the past year. My doc seems to think Enbrel will do the trick, so I'm excited.
And Roxanne, it's funny you mentioned that your hubby gave you the shots. Call me a baby, but my wife is going with me on my appt Thursday so she can learn how to give the injection too just in case I can't do it.
Thanks again for all the info and words of encouragement!
Ivan
lol I guess it is NOT A GIRL THINGIvan
You are welcome for the info and please tell your wife that now it's her turn to get back at you for anything you did that she may not have liked...hehehe...Good Luck with the Enbrel.
Toni
ai've been on Enbrel since late June-and have had no bad experience with this drug. Except the few times I had to stop because of a cold or when I cut my thumb almost off....It was a blessing because it gave me back the ability to walk and dress myself...It was scarey because it was unknown...But i had experienced many months of debilitating pain and my life had been at a screeching halt for 4 months- I unfortunately am allergic to many drugs...Thankfully not Enbrel, It took about 3 weeks for me to experience really good days and now after 6 months we have switched me from one 50 mg shot to 2 s25 mg shots - one on Sunday and one on Wednesday...This has been for 2 weeks now and keeps me on a more even keel - I have been told it can take ujp to 3 months to realize the full benefits of this drug...Don't be afraid to take the drug- you may be one of the luckier folks and it will work in the first few weeks...Get your hubby or a friend to give you the shot if you are too nervous..I take mine out and prepare it and let it warm up about 10-20 minutes and then the shot does not even hurt...Pinch the area - like your tummy and make sure the needle is angled towards the skin and presto in less than a minjute its overr- And the benefits far out weigh the possible side affects...Did you know that most of the side affects listed were to t he fewest people? When they list side affects drug companies have to list everything...and lucky for us most of those bad things never happen...Think positive and all will be well-Hey BL. I thought you were Brenda's Ready from the other board. The id was so similar. OOPS