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How long does it take enbrel to kick in?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 6/19/2014 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Eight years ago I was diagnosed with RA. I was taking Plaquinol 200mg twice a day for about two years. Then I went into remission. So I stopped taking Plaquenol. Of course I had some flares but nothing that Advil could not help. Since December. 2013 my pain in all my joints came back. The pain came back really bad. I could not move at all so I started to take prednisone 20mg a day and my pain was controlled until my appointment with my doctor. When I went to my appointment she prescribed me again with Plaquinol 200 mg twice a day and did not work after two months of taking it. Then she was thinking to give me MTX but I have plan to have a baby soon so she chose Enbrel. After taking the first shot of Enbrel, literally the next day I was off with pain and I was so happy. But in the 4th day I had pain in my thumbs but nothing comparing with my whole body. I continued with the shots and everything was ok until 4th shot. I had a flare and my pain came back. I went to my doctor and she told me that sometimes this happen because my body must be fighting an small infection. She told me to continue with the shots until next appointment which is in one month so we see some results.

I am just wondering if someone else has experienced the same? going good an then going to pain again.

I appreciate any comment!
Posted 6/19/2014 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you're in pain. I know how hard it is to keep going.

I started Enbrel at the first of the year and was doing pretty well with it until I had a sinus infection in May. I skipped one Enbrel shot and one dose of Mtx and went into a pretty bad flare. I saw my rheumy at the beginning of June and we decided that I should stay on prednisone for another month and see if the Enbrel started working again. I'm finally down to 5 mg/day of prednisone and feeling like maybe the Enbrel/mtx combo is doing its job.

My experience is a little different than yours, but there aren't really any answers set in stone when it comes to RA. It's always "wait and see" and "maybe". Try to be patient and let the Enbrel do its job. My rheumy said in her experience, if it worked before, it will "probably" start working again.

I hope you feel better soon. Keep us updated; we worry! :-)
Posted 6/19/2014 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Carole! Well I never thought about it but I have been exposed to many people who are having Colds. Maybe I got something from them? I do not know...but I certainly feel like starting to have cold. I had an appointment June 16th and my rheumy told me that maybe my body is fighting small infection and that's the reason of my flare. I am taking my Enbrel and prednisone 5mg twice a day. My rheumy is trying to get rid of the prednisone because I have been taken it from long (6 months). Hopefully Enbrel start to work soon so I can get rid of prednisone. As much as I love Prednisone because reduces my pain, I hate it as well because in 6 months I gained 50 pounds. I am so depressed!

I really appreciate your comment! Talking with another person who have the same problem, it makes me feel better.
Posted 6/19/2014 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad I helped. It's hard because everyone's experience (and immune system) is different.

Be careful if you're getting sick. My rheumy has stressed many times that I shouldn't take the RA meds if I have any kind of infection. Since they suppress the immune system, your body can't fight off small infections like it used to. My rheumy's exact words were, "If you get sick and keep taking the meds, you'll end up in the hospital with pneumonia or worse."

Also, there are side effect to long-term use of prednisone, so it's a good idea to get off it if you can. It's the drug we love to hate (or hate to love?)

Take care of yourself.
Posted 6/19/2014 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Brunella,
I am so sorry that you are in pain.... I also understand about the ups and downs with the meds.. I agree if you have been around some sick folks then that is probably why the enbrel seemed to quit for a bit... It happens sorry to say. I too am on the predinsone I take 20 mg. a day. I have been in a very bad flare lately. My meds completely stopped working on me. Had to jack my prednisone up from 2.5 mg. a day to 20 mg. a day. I understand about the weight gain... I had just lost 22 pounds and have gained 12 of it back.... after working so very hard. But that being said I have been in bed on and off for the last 2 months.... worst flare I have ever had. I am now on rituxan infusions and finally seem to be getting better. I hope that the enbrel continues to work for you and your pain is relieved soon.
Hugs
Peggy
Posted 6/27/2014 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you are feeling better Brunella (:

I have been on Enbrel about 7 or 8 years if I remember right.
The first shot was during a flare I thought was not going to stop getting worse. But it did, I also felt better the next day. I'm hoping within a few weeks you'll be feeling so much better, as I did.

However you do need to take care of infections (I have heard you should be more careful with your skin because of the sun exposure) as they may be more frequent because enbrel suppresses your immune system, as you may know.

May I ask you about your planned pregnancy? I would like to have kids some day but I'm not sure if I could without leaving Enbrel :( All I know is it hasn't been tested on pregnant woman or that you should stop it 3 months prior to conceiving.

Thanks for reading and blessings (:
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