Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Starting Enbrel This Friday

I lost my reply due to my computer crashing-brown out, so here's the summarized version...

Don't blow on your IV needle!

I like Yorkdale Mall too-We eat at the Rainforest Cafe about 3 or 4 times a year... My favourite store is just south of there on Orfus Rd. That would be the Shopping Channel Outlet store-you can find some really great deals there...

I know what you mean about pain while shopping-happens all the time now. I'm sorry to hear you're afflicted at such a young age-I became symptomatic in my early - mid 30's. I use a cane too.

I also want to take up ballroom dancing if Enbrel works as well as I hope-fingers crossed...

I would describe today's pain (just came back from the mall) as gnawing in the L-spine and chewing of the left SI. Not biting, but gnawing and chewing. I'd prefer to eat chocolate, but my spine prefers to eat itself...

I've been taking Oil of Oregano this year for the first time. In the autumn I staved off a cold with it. Five drops under my tongue and then about 10 GALLONS of water to get rid of the taste. Egad it's strong stuff!!! Then I burped oregano for the next hour.

Now, I put it in juice or in a glass of water.

Unfortunately, it didn't help so much with whatever it is I'm fighting now. Been on antibiotics since last Wednesday and still not in great shape. argh. sigh humph.

Sigrid & Lexus - you two actually shop at Yorkdale??!! That place is inSANE busy during the quiet season, let alone at Christmas time (when, I firmly believe, the average shopper multiplies herself by 15 before she enters the mall ).

Hugs,

I know what you mean about "memories of oregano" However, I'm still a braveheart when it comes to yucky things , and take it straight up, under the tongue, with lots to flush it after. I have not had a cold since after my dad passed away in Jan. '04, at which time I had one hang around about 4 months. After my nightmare with iritis due to overuse of echinacea in Oct. '04, I learned about oregano oil, and I've been healthy since... If it wasn't for the AS....

All kidding aside, I do hope you kick this to kingdom come and recover quickly. I plan to ask the Enbrel folk at some point if oil of oregano kills the active stuff in my shots, since it is antibacterial / antiviral, and if you take it enough (which I don't really-only when starting to become symptomatic), apparently it works systemically, according to one of my colleagues, who apparently has knowledge of such things.

I don't shop at Yorkdale very often-mostly just the Rainforest Cafe (I'm a Safari Club Member); sometimes Ron likes to browse through Indigo Bookstores, and being a kid at heart, I like to browse at the Disney Store. I shop at The Shopping Channel Outlet Store on Orfus Rd., and like the kitchen and linen specialty shops the most. I feel like I need a fix now, but due to economic reasons, am holding myself back...

hello from the far north i started enbrel 2 years now and i love it i was on cruthes&canes until i started enbrel it has been a real wonder drug for me . i just wish i could get the pain under some control.

take it easy
Dallas

Dallas, bless your heart-thanks for taking the time to reply-it's always encouraging to hear successes like this-inspirational, actually. I'm glad you could set aside the crutches and canes-I pray the pain may be dealt with...

I put some in orange juice one time, but it hit my top lip as I drank it. Egad did it burn!!!! You're a braver woman than me, Sigrid. I have to say, tho, it's nowhere near as bad as Tea Tree Oil. Man that stuff tastes vile. That reminds me, I need Rosehip Tea.

I used to use Echinacea as well. Never put into flare because of it ... that I know of. I only ever used it prophylactically at the first sign of a cold. Kind of how I use the Oregano now. Usnea Barbosa is also good and Cat's Claw, both of which my naturopath recommended to me when she told me to stop taking Echinacea.

It never occurred to me that Oil of Oregano would be contra-indicated with the biologics. Hmmmmm.

I shop mostly on Queen West, the Danforth, Kensington, Bloor West (only if there's a sale) - pretty much anywhere that has neat odd shops. I must admit I just did $10 worth of retail therapy at Reitmans across from my office. I can't afford it either, but darnit, I've been sick for over 2 weeks now. I think I deserve it! That's my excuse anyway.

I'm feeling much better today, by the way. I ended up taking yesterday off work again. Brian put his foot down on Monday night, as I wept on the couch from still feeling so lousy. He called my office manager at 10:30 and told her I would not be in yesterday. I'm glad he did, as I probably would have sucked it in and toughed it out and been that much worse for it today. It made all the difference. I'm still congested and still feel as tho there's smoke in my lungs, but it's about half what it was. I have antibiotics until next Tuesday I think. Hopefully by then they'll have killed this thing dead.

Many hugs,

I usually let it get about room temp. 15-30 minutes usually. As far as where to inject. I alternate thighs. I also try not to inject in the same spot. Some times it seems as if there is more discomfort than other times as I inject (do so slowly!!!). Some times I barely feel it. Shots have really never bothered me, so it did not take much getting used to giving myself injections. I used to give injections to our horses (which we no longer have), now I know what they felt like... . I tried the stomach a couple of times and it seemed to sting a bit more for me, plus My neck motion is very restricted & it was hard for me to look down to give it... I fortunately only have a small belly which I never used to have, but between age, meds, & less exercise it has gotten noticible

Some people are fortunate and the effects of the Enbrel are noticed within a month. I did not feel any different for about 4 months. I had to stop for about 2-3 weeks(finances)
and I really could tell the difference. After a week or two back on Enbrel I started feeling better again.

Good Luck & don't sweat it, it is easier than you imagine

I think Tea Tree Oil is meant for external use only, isn't it? I was using the Airborne supplement before I triggered my iritis-too much echinacea. Oh well-that's ancient history now.

I'm feeling the need for retail therapy myself-and I just got an email from the Shopping Channel Outlet store that they're having amazing sales 'til the end of this month... dare I venture in? I'm really feeling it.... somebody, hold me back!!!!

I'm so glad you're feeling better. Give Brian a hug for me-he's a smart guy...

Jeff, thanks for your encouragement. Sounds like I experience the same things you do. Still don't have the stomach to inject the gut, though.

I noticed today things seemed a bit better. But you know how deep my denial about AS still runs? I told my hubby tonight that if the Enbrel didn't work, it may prove I don't have AS, but if it does, it would confirm I do, in fact, have it. I know I do, but this little stream of denial creeps in now and again.

BTW, I like your signature statement-amen...