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Enbrel Question/Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Posted 12/8/2012 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I started using Enbrel (along with Methylprednisone) three weeks ago. I've had two injections so far. I gave myself the first 50mg injection on a Saturday, the VERY next day, I had no pain. I called my Dr's office to find out if that was even possible and if so, was it the Enbrel or, perhaps the Plaquenil he started me on 6 weeks before (when I was diagnosed and 3 weeks after my first symptoms) had started working and I wouldn't have to use Enbrel after all. I had no reactions at all to the Enbrel and, honestly, thought maybe the medication didn't enter but that wasn't the case. Anyway, so I was on 20mg of Methylpred weaning 4mg every week. Yesterday, I took my first 2 tabs (I weaned quicker than recommended because I wanted off of it) and now I have a red, itchy welt at the injection site from last week and another at the site from two weeks ago (though not as angry nor itchy). I'm really afraid of what my reaction is going to be tomorrow when I have to give myself my 3rd injection. I'd like to know if anyone has #1 shown such a radical improvement in ONE day and also what I should expect from the injection tomorrow. I'm really nervous about giving it myself.
Thanks!!
Jean_M
Posted 12/9/2012 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Enbrel and no I've never had such an improvement either time. Are you talking about a Medrol dose pack? Where you start out taking 6 pills, then 5, then 4 until you are down to one pill on the final day? Or just regular prednisone? Either way, I think you can contribute your immediate response to the methylpred, and I've had red welts near my injection sites before not as severe as your describing, but when I've taken Medrol dose packs (methylprednisolone) Medrol works wonders and provides instant relief this has been my past experiences with it, Enbrel at the most works maybe within a weeks time for some individuals, this is what I've been told, I have not had this experience either time. Contact your doctor about your injection site issues and see what you should do next.
Posted 12/10/2012 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Jean_M,
I had the itchy red reaction the first few times that I did the injections when I was on Enbrel. I took benydryl for this and it went away after the third or fourth injection. Did not have that kind of improvement with Enbrel though. It did work wonders for my husband though. Maybe its working fast for you and I sure hope it is. Dont be nervous maybe it is just what you need. Hope things clear up soon.
Peggy
Posted 12/11/2012 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Enbrel did not work for me that soon; I believe it took several weeks for it to build up in my system.  I can, however, tell you that the injections left a rash around the injection site for the first month or so.  AFter that, my body adjusted to it and I had no more of that.  It was pretty mild for me. 
Posted 1/3/2013 8:08 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on enbrel for a year now and always get a red itchy spot that can last a long while. The longer I used it, the shorter time the red giant spots would last. It took me a good six months before I noticed any help and even then it isn't working as good as we wanted, but my type if RA is a very rare type, so most meds don't work.
Posted 1/11/2013 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and Welcome to HealingWell. Enbrel takes sometime to work in
your system. I am also on Enbrel Just started in Dec. This med is for life that were on. I also was on humira but had to get off Humira because of a side effect. Thats why I am on enbrel
Posted 3/22/2013 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Enbrel and Methotraxate together worked for me fully within 2 weeks. I'm talking fully functional as if I never had the disease. And I could swear I felt immediate improvement- within a few hours of taking Enbrel. To me, it's a miracle drug. I've been on the two for 6 years. I was taking Methotraxate with Celebrex with mild improvement for a couple of months prior to Enbrel. Recently have completely stopped taking Methotraxate with still great results with Enbrel alone. I read somewhere that it could take up 12 weeks for some people to start to work. Now my only concern is the long-term effects since it's a relatively new drug.
Posted 4/5/2013 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jean_M,

I am a 65 year old male who has been on Enbrel for over 13 years. My condition originally was quite serious, but the Enbrel resolved the symptoms (80%) in only three to four weeks. As to how quickly Enbrel works, do remember that Enbrel is a "one size fits all" medication. Everybody gets the same dosage level, as far as I know. Other biologocs (such as Remicade) dosing is guided by age, diagnosis, body weight and frequency of doses. So, how quickly it will work for you dependes on a lot of considerations. I'm glad your relief was soon and hope it stays solid. Lastly, your issue with the burning. Burning is the prominent side effect of Enbrel. I noticed that nobody in this group mentioned that there are 25 mg dose kits available. I have been on the 25 mg doses for all 13+ years, aside from one month on the 50 mg. The burning with the 50 mg doses was very uncomfortable during the injection and the rash at the injection site was red, sore and itchy for days. So, I switched back to the 25 mg doses. Yes, you have to "shoot up" twice a week, but it may be worth the relief. It was for me.

Best wishes and I hope your recovery is soon and permanent!
Posted 4/24/2013 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jean my name is David Annibal and I suffered a Stroke on March 21, 2008. I live in Louisville, KY



Thank you,
David

Post Edited By Moderator (teddybearweiser) : 4/24/2013 11:35:33 PM (GMT-6)

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