The rebound arthritis from stopping the enbrel is here. I've been gradually stiffening up for the last week or so. I'm now officially walking like an old lady until around 1-2pm or so and I continue to experience the pain throughout the day. I told my husband last night, though, that the time to try something different isn't until the pain starts affecting my sleep. So far, it has not. Unsure if I can up my ultracet or not--interaction with tb meds and mtx, but none of my doctors have told me otherwise, and I have been prescribed up to 6/day. I currently only take 2-4.
I am determined not to let the arthritis center my whole life. I'm going to force myself to walk everyday in some capacity, and I'm going to stretch every morning and every night. Perhaps if I lose some weight, it might help--I only have about 10 pounds to lose, though, and those last 10 pounds are reluctant to come off!!! But at least I'd feel better about myself.
One question for ex-enbrel users. Does enbrel have a program that accepts unused and sealed enbrel injections back so that they can be distributed to others who may not be able to afford the meds? I have 2 unused and sealed boxes (two months worth); they're just sitting in my fridge collecting dust--I won't be able to use them for at least 9 months and I don't know what the shelf-life of this drug is. I'd be willing to ship it back to enbrel if someone else can use it (at my expense)
El