Enbrel side effects...or paranoia??

I want to say that this is the most supportive group I have ever encountered on the web!!  I have been browsing comments for a couple days now and have gained some wonderful insight and tips from doing so...thanks! 

I am new to this forum and new to Enbrel also.  I have psoriasis (have had for about a year) and now recently diagnosed with accute pa.  I had previously been using dovonex and cortisoidsteriods for psoriasis control but saw no significant improvment.  My joints are just now beginning to be effected so my derm opted to put me on Enbrel.  So here I am...

I have been on it for a little over a month and am starting to experience what I think are side effects.  about 48 hours after the injections I get a nagging headache that does not respond to med (advil, excedrin ect...).  and recently accompanied by a sore throat and extreme fatigue.  Along with this comes a palm sized injection site reaction that is quite raised and itchy.  Does this sound familar to anyone??  I am thinking it is semi-normal to have such a reaction but would love any input to put my mind at ease.  At what point are these reactions bad and need attention?  I feel I am unable to read my body right now...help!

I am quite a sceptic when it comes to western medicine and am reading as much as I can on nutritional remedy's for cronic diseases...hopeing someday to be able to control the flare ups with minimal help from the doc's...dreaming?...maybe.  I was able to control my psoriasis for 5 months with dietary and herbal remedies but then had a flare up and now the joints are involved, so enters the enbrel.

Anyway, sorry for the novel...but anyfeed back would be wonderful!  I am so glad to know that there are others out there that are where I am...it is encouraging during such a scarry, unknown, skeptical time to have people to talk to!  Thank you!!!

Aurora

Seems to be that the 50mg single syringes cause more reactions like you describe.  There are 25mg syringes twice weekly that have an acidity weeker than the 50mg's.  When the solute is injected not deep enough....it can dwell in the uppermost skin layer, thus cause itching/redness/burning. This also can last 3 to 5 days as well. But itching,erythema,burning,pain are what an injection site reaction is. You can apply a cool pack to the site after for 10 minutes or even before the injection. (this will constrict the blood vessels and prevent some of the reactions).

Where are you currently injecting?  The abdomen is a very soft and safe area and I've noticed that my Humira injections (which STING) are the best in the abdomen and do not bruise/swell/turn red.

Headaches YES...that is common. Cool compresses to the head, ice packs, darkness, and even a little caffeine may help. Tell the Dr. too!

There runs a risk of chronic sinus and respiratory issues on Enbrel.  Mostly are just annoying and benign...but again, tell the doc.  I take it you have had Xrays and TB tests?  If you start to get a hacking dry cough or green mucus you need to see a doc.  You don't have asthma or COPD do you?

Oh...also, if you are sensitive or allergic to LATEX....that could be the cause of the skin  issue! And Latex allergies can cause throat problems (tight, swelling, pain).

But to put your mind at ease, all of the things you describe are indeed side effects and expected reactions from Enbrel.

A tip: after you inject all of the Enbrel, let the needle remain in place without moving it for another 10 seconds.  This will prevent the med from leaking & causing irritation and from spilling into the upper skin layers.

@ your next doc visit, do mention the respiratory symptoms.

Good to have you @ HW & welcome again!!!!  Best wishes.

Erin

i'm just picturing the episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" when he's always passing out at the site of blood or needles.

i've noticed that it is true...in the hospital i used to hear patients say that they get nauseous or feel like they'll pass out during or right before a blood-draw or injection. it is actually a vaso-vagal effect (kinda like a flight or flight response) but it is totally physiological.  there was just a study conducted about this too.

if you feel nauseous and or lightheaded when injection/IV's or blood draws; if you squeeze and contract say your arm muscles or cross your legs or contract your leg muscles...something in the blood supply reverses this weird phenomena.  but  is real....even if you just "see" a procedure being done or see needles or blood or whatever.  interesting stuff.

Aurora...be careful withthe latex allergy thing.  With Latex allergies, the more exposure you have to Latex the worse the allergy can get.  Unlike most allergies where the more exposure you get, the allergy lessens or you "grow out of it", the Latex one is much different.  For example, many Dr.s & nurses develope Latex allergies from USING GLOVES all the years. And they never had a problem before...but just the constant exposure to it brings it on.  Keep Benedryl on hand too. It's OTC at most drugstores, just to have on hand.

I wish you continued success witht he Enbrel.

Craig...thanks for the info on the MTX.  I think I'm going to opt for that first before I go and dedicate myself to Remicade. Much appreciated.

Take care,

Erin

Erin...thanks for the heads up on the latex allergy exposure issue.  I have done a bit of research on the topic and am keeping an eye out on my reactions to make sure they don't escilate (per request of my derm also). 

I also may try the muscle trick and see if it help the woosy auto-reaction I get...keep ya posted.

My site reactions are tolerable now with the Zrytec and I keep the Bene handy too.  It has been about 6 weeks and I am not seeing any skin improvements...I guess it takes up to three months to help

the skin...??

Hope all are well!

Aurora