Possibly Starting Enbrel But A Bit Nervou | Arthritis Information

Hi Guys,

My primary doctor & my ra doctor have been talking & were wanting to start me on possibly enbrel. i personally havent gotten to talk with them about it much. my ra appointment had to be moved back i just heard from my primary at one appointment very breifly. my parents are quite concerned though!! the side effects we have researched say it can cause something about MS & possible more at risk for cancer?? those are the 2 big ones. MS runs extremely strong in our family & they are afraid it will set it off, sorry im not 100% sure....?? but the results of enbrel seem to be amazing!! im unsure of it though....help please!! lol. any advice or personal expriences would be appreciated!!

thank you very much!!
daddysgimpygirlI was on it about 4 months. Amazing improvement. Soon after that symptoms began which DR ordered me to stop. I now have MS/ALS type symptoms. Go at your own risk. I thinka small percentage get problems but if MS was in my Family I would not take it....Just my 2 cents Enbrel is amazing!!!! 2 days after the first injection I started to feel immediate increased flexibility. Had my thrid injection today. I can actually walk now, not fast but something close to a real "walk". I still take vicodin, diclofenac which I still need for pain, but the renewed flexibility is amazing and very hopeful.

Enbrel has come out with a long term study on safety issues - see press release here : http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?nd mViewId=news_view&newsId=20061112005071&newsLang=en

Every drug you take will come with risks. Be aware of what they are you you can respond quickly, just in case.

As far as the lymphoma (cancer) risk, just having an active infammatory disorder increases your risk of lymphoma - and heart disease too. It's all that infammation, it's bad for your body.

I would definately tell your Docs about the strong MS line in your family.

Lynk39050.0047453704Although Enbrel has worked wonders for me, I, too, am concerned about the MS and lymphoma risk.

There are only about 300,000 people that have been on it worldwide and you still see a fair amount of people on this board alone that have developed MS.

I'm with 6t5frlane. If you have MS in your family, I would stay clear of this drug.

As far as lymphoma, I thought that Swedish study still showed a slightly higher rate of lymphoma in the Enbrel population versus the rheumatoid arthritis population?

Wow,

I've read there is an increase risk of skin cancer from biologics. http://www.medpagetoday.com/tbprint.cfm?tbid=4530

Thank you all very much!! it was all so helpful!! I see the doc this coming Thursday. It will be yet another new one though, recently found out my other old one switched to the emergency department. go figure, he's been a pediatrician, rheumatologist, sports med, now emergency doc. wow. really stinks though i loved him!! he was amazing!! much better than my first one.
anyways.

i suppose this med is out then, my parents & i have decided. The risk of MS for me is already extremely high, then adding a med that can add to it, isn't worth it. i'm sure this is an amazing drug for some ppl, but i don't think it is the one for me. i am really amazed by how much it improves people's symptoms though!! no wonder they call it the miracle drug. i am bummed i wont be able to take it. i do have the docs quite surprised though. they have no idea how i somehow ended up with almost everything that ran on either side of my family.

are there any other meds that you guys would recommed??
id love to be able to research them before my appointment on the 7th that way we'll be prepared.

Thanks again guys!!

daddysgimpygirlLynk-

This was the study I was referring to:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/538196

But your study was certainly enouraging. Hessalina - That is an interesting study, especially the focus on enbrel. Thanks.

I'm new here but just saw your post about getting enbrel. If it helps my hubby has been on it for over 2 yrs. and so far the only side effect he has had is he black and blues easier. This is not to say you won't have different problems. I know the side effect are horrendous. I wish you the best of luck in your deceision. Oh yes it has help him a lot.

Anna

Hello,

New to your discussions. Let me give a brief introduction...Rhumy diagnosed me with RA of unknown origin a year ago. Was hardly able to walk in morning. Very stiff and sore in legs, arms, hands. Prednisone for about 7 mo. Symptoms eased on Pred. but some returned as dose lowered. Have been controlling with Ibuprofin but not getting complete releif. Condition now presents with stiffness in hips after sitting, sleeping. Wake up at night with pain in shoulder if sleeping on side. Pain in wrists, hands, and fingers all the time.

This IS NOT DEBILITATING, but does impact on quality of life. For example, I can not do excercises for upper body as I am unable to hold on to things. Difficulty picking things up, little strength in hands, arms.

I have two concerns...The progression of the RA as it effects joints (joint deformaties, etc.), and the long term effects of medications such as Enbrel. A dermatologist said I have Psoriasis and that this may be the cause of the RA. Knowing many of you are in much more severe pain than I, could you please advise if I am better off maintaining my condition with OTC meds, or moving to biologic meds?

Sorry for the long note, but any feedback would be appreciated.

I'm unclear if you have psoriasis & rheumatoid, or psoratic arthritis (which is different than RA)? http://www.psoriasis.org/about/psa/ Perhaps you could find a firmer diagnosis from a second opinion?

For both diseases early, aggressive treament is recommended to avoid future disability.

My personal opinion would be to move to a biologic as well - unless you go into remission - which it doesn't sound like you have. If you have inflammation, your immune system is still attacking you. A DMARD (disease modifiying antirheumatic drugs) is in order - before the permanent damage is done.

Lynk39064.6623842593

Thanks, Lynk.

I think the current thesis is Psoriatic Arthritis. But in any regard, it sounds like you would treat regardless of the severity.