I am debating whether to take my Enbrel today. It seems it does no good but I am afraid not to take it. How many of you have stopped a biologic before getting a new one because it didn't seem like it was working.???????????
Also, I would like to hear from those that switched from Enbrel to Humira. Is there a chance that Humira will make a difference? I am afraid of the new drugs - well I am afraid of them all but Humira seems the most used next to Enbrel. Changing biologics is very scary for me but being deformed is scarier
I have just started my 3rd biologic. I started with enbrel about 18 mo, next remicade 5 years +, now humira. Don't stop enbrel until you have humira in hand. Then when due for your enbrel take the humira instead.
Lots better than getting into a world of hurts and trying to climb out of the pain hole onto the new drug.
I was almost 4 weeks over due for remicade before the humira arrived. I've had 2 doses now, and am starting to feel better.
Good Luck - I had a great change from enbrel to remicade. Felt like I was almost cured. Humira is going to work too. Morning stiffness was a bit better right away.
Marian,
Why did you stop the Remicaide? Did it stop working? Is that why you stopped the Enbrel? Can you give me more details? I think my Enbrel has stopped working, although I can't be sure.
Phatgirl
Every time I have switched biologics (and I am now on the last try-rituxan) we have started the new med on the next scheduled day for the medication. So keep taking the enbrel until you start the humria. It may be working a bit more than you think it is. Then when you get the humira start it on the next day you are scheduled to take your enbrel injection. But of course your doctor may have different instructions so I bow to their recommendationsI think one of the differences between Humira and Enbrel is that Enbrel has some animal DNA (or something like that) and Humira has only human DNA. Anybody know if this is correct? If so, and your body is making antibodies to the Enbrel, changing to Humira might help you. One of the reasons I chose Humira instead of Enbrel is that it is less likely that you'll have to continue with MTX...which I did indeed stop.
Alan
I changed from enbrel to humira. The humira has worked alot better for me than the enbrel did. I have been on it for a little over 2 yrs now and getting ready to change because it doesnt work as well as it used to. I havent had any bad side effects from humira,I did with enbrel though. I hope it works for you, keep taking the enbrel unitl you get the humira though.I was taken off of Humira due to some problems I was having....but I was doing REALLY well at the time. I've managed quite well since going off of it; but I have increased my MTX. I want to say again that when I stopped Humira I was in a really good place and have been lucky to have done well since.
The advice everyone is giving you is good Roxy. Don't stop the Embrel until you've been approved for Humira. I do think the switch is going to be best for you. Despite what you think Embrel has not really been successful for you. You honestly have very little to loose by switching. Your scare to go off a medication that has you practically bed riden the majority of your days. Take a chance. Try something new. You have so much to gain.
Good Luck. Don't waist anymore time. You've been thinking of switching for a very long time. Don't put it off any longer. CHances are high that changing will make a big difference.
My Dr. told me that enbrel absorbs tnf anti-bodies in the blood stream while the hemera enters the tissue and destroys the tnf anti-bodies.I believe Alan is correct with the Humira being human and the enbrel being from animal. I was told that the enbrel works by "mopping" up the excess tnf protein and the humira actually works to stop the produce of the tnf protein so there is less of it in your system.I think if you are having problems and you have to stop one medication due to those problems then yes; you would have to wait 30 days before starting the new medication because they want the old medication to get out of your system.
I'm not sure the same would be true if you stop one medication just because they feel it isn't working well enough.
phatgirl2,
I switched from enbrel to remicade because my new rhuemy felt I would do better on it (enbrel was ok but not great, I was taking 3 doses per week). After switching I realized that the rotten headaches I'd been suffering were not job stress! The remicade worked a small miracle for me in the beginning - it didn't do so much for pain (lots of old damage from decades of RA) but my morning stiffness went away to the point that I thought I was normal again. I had a terrific boost in energy. Life was good. Each infusion lasted until 10 days before the next infusion then pain and stiffness increased. Was really glad for remicade day every 8 weeks. Over the years my dose increased from 300 mgs to 500mgs, I was unwilling to increase dosage again, I was unwilling to come more often than every 8 weeks, and stopped getting a lift from each infusion, just felt crappy all the time. Last but not least went through a series of nurses over the last 2 years and just hated the last one. So enough of the complications of scheduling infusions and dr appts on the same day (avoiding two ) co-pays, and taking a half sick day every 8 weeks.
Humira is working a bit better than remicade already. I have had only 2 doses but morning stiffness is better than it has been for the last year. I don't seem to be getting headaches or any other bad reaction - except it really stings when injected. But that is only for a couple of minutes, no big deal to trade a sting for 2 weeks of less stiffness. I am hopeful that my fatigue will decrease with continued use.
I hope that answers your questions.
Yes, that answers a lot of my questions...thank you so much. I hope Humira works for you!
Phatgirl
I have recently switched from 3 months of humira---which did nothing--to enbrel. I waited 3 weeks at my MD's suggestion to get the humira level lower. If you immediately add another biologic it could increase your chances of side-effects . Actually, it is an average of 5 months before all traces of Humira leave your body. So far i have had some difficulty with headaches from the Enbrel. One day last week i felt "normal" as far as energy and just the not feeling well syndrome. I was very excited--the best i had felt in 6 years. That lasted one day. Seems kind of cruel. Hopefully it's a glimse of things to come. Good luck with your Humira experience.We had to wait one month before changing over to humira from enbrel.