Sweatng w/Enbrel | Arthritis Information

Since starting Enbrel about 8 weeks ago, I'm sweating all the time, whether it's cool outside or warm outside, or walking a mall, etc. Could the Enbrel be causing this? Does anyone else have this problem? Enbrel is the only new med I've been on since this began. Thanks! I have always been one to sweat excessively so I can't say if Enbrel has effected me in that way or not. You might check on the side effects info that specifically lists what side effects are common with this drug. You may also want to consult with your RD if it gets really bothersome.
Good Luck
mom2threeinaz2009-08-02 11:30:57are you on prednisone?

That causes me to perspire.....alot

Perspiration has been a major problem for me since being diagnosed. It happens when I have just finished having a shower (shampooed hair now becomes drenched with sweat), when grocery shopping even when the temp in the store is fine (I have in desperation worn a sweatband - just to cope - looks stupid but I can't help it); happens in museums or in a concert hall or when we have company..........always when it is inconvenient to be dripping - literally dripping. I have read in the past that it is an RA thing, rather than a medication related thing. It's annoying though. now that you mention that, marigold.

My RD was excited that I was no longer "sweating" recently..

Some info I've found:

http://www.steadyhealth.com/Profuse_sweating_and_Immune_disorder_t74661.html

Medical expression for excessive or profuse sweating is hyperhidrosis. It can develop as symptom of some other disease or there can be no detectable cause for excessive sweating, then it is considered as essential, idiopathic or primary. It can be disorder of the nerves which regulate rate of sweating. Over activity of the sympathetic nervous system, can stimulate excessive sweating. Sweating serves to cool off and lubricate the skin, especially in areas that may rub against other areas of skin, such as under the arms, under the breasts, and between the legs. Sometimes in rheumatoid arthritis, due to damage of nerves in some areas sweat glands can produce too much sweat. And rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C511064.html

Causes & Development

For some people, there may be no detectable cause for their excessive sweating, and they may be considered to have a medical condition known as essential (idiopathic or primary) hyperhidrosis. This may be due to over activity of the nerves that send signals to the sweat glands in the skin, the sympathetic nervous system. Sometimes this idiopathic form of hyperhidrosis can be genetically transmitted, and it often runs in families; this form may first show up in early childhood.

Other people may have sweating as a symptom of known medical conditions, such as:

an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
gout
rheumatoid arthritis
tuberculosis
lymphoma
hypoglycemia
parasites
metabolic dysfunction
nerve damage due to diabetes (autonomic dysfunction) or spinal cord injuries
liver disease
vitiligo
psychiatric disorders such as stress, panic attacks or anxiety disorders
hot flashes associated with menopause

Thanks, Babs. I thought I had read something like this a while ago but couldn't remember where. It definitely helps to know why it's likely to be happening. It never used to before.

Did you doctor imply that because you are no longer 'sweating' in this way, it means your RA is under better control?

Thanks! I had been on prednisone for a couple months, but have been taking it every other day lately. I go to the rheumy this week, so I'll ask him. Went to the rheumy and he wants me to get a PPD and a chest x-ray and to monitor my temps. My temps have been normal, except when I'm sweating it's usually 99.something. I really don't want to have a PPD again (time consuming). Didnt they do the PPD prior to starting the Enbrel?

I didnt have that issue with Enbrel but did with Orencia and is just now starting to calm down some since I have been off of it. The weird thing was I sweated the most around my eyes. Never had that problem before. Guess that is just another thing we can all add to our list of things in common :-)

Linda