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I seem to have the same theme but I'm getting a bit concerned.

Can anyone who is on biologics tell me about how long it was before the medication started to be effective?

I called the Medco pharmacist and the Enbrel nurse yesterday and they both said I should have had a response within the first 2 weeks.

I wish I hadn't called!

Hope to here your experiences.

Mr. dr has always said 3-6 months.

I am on Rituxan so I have obvioulsy been up the ladder...I want to say it took about 3months to feel anything positive. The Orencia seemed to kick ina bit sooner, but I only took it for a year due to disease activity.

Dotty,

I had somewhat good response from enbrel but it's been so long ago that i don't want to guess on how long it took to be effective. It was never good enough to get me down off of the prednisone so the docs changed me to humira. that really didn't work well at all and I do remember the doctors saying that if I hadn't had a response within the month, that the drug was probably not going to be effective for me. They switched back to enbrel until the set up for rituxan. If I may make a suggestion, can't you up your prednisone for some relief. I know what you mean about the feet problem, it feels like walking on ball bearings just behind the toes into the foot. Eeeeek. Don't be discouraged. Just be sure that you have doctors that are staying on top of the disease and the pain. there are lots of drugs now and eventually the right one will be given to you.

LEV

levlarry2010-01-16 06:34:26Dotty i was told 12 weeks. Have you tried a parrafin wax bath for your feet. I have awful problems with mine, like i have broken glass in them, the wax bath help sooth them.

Give the meds time to work, i know its frustrating but if the enbrel helps long term it will be worth it

I feel better, thanks for helping me think it may still work.

I went for a fifteen minute walk, today, it is sunny and in the mid forties in ne pa. I think the I really needed some sun and fresh air. Hope my feet will take me on longer walks soon, although I'm not obeying what my RD said.

I have a prescription for prednisone but I don't want to mask the effects or non-effects of enbrel. I f that doesn't make sense let me know!

I would like some relief I must admit, although I'm not in terrible pain.

Thanks again.

I had seven GREAT years on Enbrel and I definitely did not feel improvement in the first two weeks. I want to say about six weeks - hang in there and good luck! hi Dotty, everyone responds differently as I am sure you noticed. what other meds are you taking with the enbrel.

p.s. I grew up in NE pa!

Like Rebecca said, I've always been told 3-6 months (although my RD doesn't seem very patient in wanting to keep me on meds that long). So far the only biologic that I saw any improvement on was Orencia, and that took 4 months.I think the enbrel is working for me though my feet hurt so bad. I have been told I need ankle replacement surgery and then I will see a 60 to 70% improvement.I take methotrexate, 20 milligrams with tne enbrel and folic acid. I also take an assortment of other drugs. I felt quite well and took far fewer pills until I entered my mid fifties. Iwould be willing to give up the senior citizen discount if I could take less medication!

My RD 's office called today. The results of my level enzyme test were elevated for the 1st time ever. No Mtx for two weeks, then half the dose for 2 week.

Since I don't think the enbrel is doing much of anything I'm a little concerned about how I'll feel without the mtx.

So she wants me to start 10 milligrams of prednisone for 2 weeks. I'm going to do it I think, although I have a fear of prednisone.

When I was 1st diagnosed 21/2 years 5 milligrams got my swollen hands back to normal with just a lot of sweating, lol, as a side effect.

I'm kind of tired of always being scared to take something.

Well, a little update.

Thanks again for all of your kind responses.

Do you think it would be okay for me to start with 5 milligrams and work up to 10 if 5 doesn't work?

I have always been told the 10mg or less is a pretty small dose. I would probably start with the 10mg-it's a pretty short period of time.

I wouldn't worry to much about the enzyme test. I have been on MTX since a teen and have had to start and stop a couple of times. The mtx will stay in your system for a bit, so you shouldn't feel a huge difference. Of course, this is just my past...

I hope you feel better soon....

You have so much going on rocckyd that I especially appreciate your interest. I've always been glad that since I have to deal with this it wasn't until I was in my fifties.

I anm an active 58 year old and want to stay that way!

Thanks again.

Personally, don't think a burst pak of pred for a short time will hurt you. They are often used for short-term relief. I was on pred for 10-years -- and was one of the lucky ones who didn't experience any bone damage. Not that I'd recommend it to anyone else that long-term -- it's a big risk. I got lucky.Dotty,

I would probably consider doing what the doctor recommends. I think he/she has your best interest at heart. Keep in mind that generally rheumatoid inflammation equals joint and bone damage. I'm sure it is your doctors intention to get the inflammation under control and then lower the prednisone until you are off of it. Good luck with whatever you choose.

LEV

I too, share your fears of pred......and your residence in PA! ;)

I would give the enbrel some more time..... I felt more energy initially.... and then it really started working for me with the stiffness and pain..... it took almost a year to get to the maximum relief thusfar of only two swollen/inflamed joints.... I have regressed a bit with my most recent dental issues and not being able to take it.. but I am working my way back to pushing toward being great.

Hang in there.. give it some time.... I hope and look forward to you having a great reaction.

Babs

At the risk of sounding slightly off or more than slightly off perhaps, here goes.

I got up my nerve and took ten milligrams of prednisone yesterday morning, before nine I might add. I felt terrible all day. My heart seemed to be beating rapidly and I just felt terrible. I staye up until after midnight when I usually fall asleep on the couch around 8.

I went to bed and took 1 milligram of ativan, nothing doing, an hour later I took another milligram and got 3 or 4 hours of sleep which I much appreciate.

I know this sounds like one of those hysterical reviews of drugs that some people post, but what can I say, it's all true.

My next step will be the podiatrist I think. I have tendonitis and perhaps an injection would give a kind of systemic full foot relief and help my toes.

Maybe next week I'll take 5 milligrams of pred which helped me a lot at one time and see how that goes.

I know this sounds farfetched but all true.

Thanks so much for responding. I haven't given up on enbrel and hope it kicks in soon.

I just hope my RD doesn't get too annoyed. She can be a bit formidable., but very smart with my my best interests at heart.

So what do you think would be best, the injection, 5 milligrams of pred, or both? Thanks again. I am aware anxiety may have played a role in my recent experience!Hi Dotty, I know I am late to the party, but that won't stop me from throwing in my 2 cents! (That is just about the worth of my opinion!
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