Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Enbrel pros and cons?

Hi people! My rheumy is dead-set on putting me on Enbrel, and I see him tomorrow, the mean ol' sonofabiscuit . I want to go on LDN, because it has almost NO side-effects and is cheap and easy and safe (but since when do we get what WE want, hmm?) and I was wondering if anyone could throw me some pros and cons of Enbrel, to educate me a bit before I go into battle? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Bridget

Hiya,

Hmmm, pros and cans....

Pro - you don't have to go to a doctor's office and sit for fours hours to be infused...all you have to do is pick a day a give yourself the injection (which takes literally 3 mins).

Pro - it's convenient and you can take it with you on vacation in a cooler bag packed with ice to keep it cold.

Pro - don't have to have a big needle stuck in your arm for long periods of time...you just stick it in and inject.

Con - it didn't work for me. I hope that perhaps it works for you my dear!

Con - I was very fatigued while being on it...but then again, I'm really fatigued being on Remi as well.

I don't think that there are many cons to taking Enbrel. It works for some and not for others. We're all different and respond to meds in a different way. Why not give it a try, especially if you are in a bad place right now and are in a lot of pain. It did get rid of my mjor muscle spasms that I was getting, but did not get rid of the underlying pain in my bum and back.

Let me know what happens tomorrow after you see the Rheumy, k??

Hope all is well with you and your gorgeous kitty!!!

Ciao for now,

Trina

Hi Bridget,

I agree - half your luck! I'm desperately trying to get on Enbrel (and hoping my rheumy will eventually get back to me after my last visit several weeks ago with some good news!) but there's still so much red tape attached to it here I'm not going to get my hopes up too much

I expect your rheumy wants to start you off on this one for the reasons Trina mentioned, and b4 there's too much damage done. If it doesn't work for you he'll probably try Remicade next, which is a bit more of an intrusion on your life, and not nearly as convenient by the sound of it

If I were in your shoes, given the chance to try Enbrel I would definitely say "Yes - please"!!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Sue

Pro - At first I felt the best I have felt since this AS thing started. I had lots of energy.

Con - After a great 6 months on enbrel I started feeling dizzy, and had balance problems. A few months later I was diagnosed with MS. That was it for enbrel, and all anti - TNF drugs.

Getting MS is very rare, don't let it stop you from getting enbrel, but you should keep an eye out for it. One of the nuerologists told me that I had MS before, but my body kept it under control so I didn't know that I had it. The enbrel took that control away. I still wish that I could take enbrel. I had no more AS pain. The shots were not bad.

Good luck.

Hi Bridget!
It has worked for me for 2+ years now, and if I'm off for several weeks I start flaring. It was like night and day...I had managed AS with diet and supplements while trying to stop NSAIDS, which I took like candy for 15 years or so. I could ward off flares with diet, but would still be stiff and sore...Enbrel stopped the inflamation, and the pain involved, and I got used to giving myself a shot in the thigh real fast...hmmmm, shot in thigh vs. massive flare....although at times it could freak me out to do the shot....but it's been worth it. My new rheumy heard my tale and wrote me a script immediately...my old rheumy had to make a case for Enbrel as it had just been approved for AS when I wanted it...

Try it and see for yourself, what is LDN that has no side-effects??? On Enbrel you are susceptible to infections, I can get bad sinus infections and must take anti-biotics...if you get an infection, you stop the Enbrel until you have cured it...as the Enbrel compromises your immune system in order to work. I now work with very germy kids in a school and I use Purel liberally...

Hope this helps, let us know how it goes!!!
I love New Mexico, my grandma who just passed away lived there for years in Albuquerque...I've been all over the state, just a beautiful and interesting part of America..
peace
Linc

Acording to my Rheum, Enbrel and Remicade are the only drugs that prevent the onset of symptoms.
I didn't like it at first, but I swear by it now.

Trina, I'm on remicade too after Enbrel stopped working for me (6 months). Does it get rid of the pain in the buttocks and low back for you? They have just increased my dosage, but I haven't had the infusion yet (I'm due for another infusion in mid-March). I was wondering if you ever got to a place where it didn't hurt?

I was on Enbrel 3 years - no problems.
Went off of Enbrel for 1 year when I changed doctors.

I have now been back on Enbrel for 3 months. - no problems

The med is GREAT !

Hi Sue . . . I'm on Remicade now, have been for 8 months, and IT's not working, which is why he's switching me. I'm actually going to try LDN first, as it's cheaper, easier and has fewer (WAY fewer) side-effects. LDN is low-dose Naltrexone, it's been used to treat all kinds of autoimmune disorders, but mostly MS (where it's proven so miraculous that it's developed a cult following). It's not approved for any of these, it's actually (in high doses) meant as a treatment for withdrawal symptoms (heroin, etc). Look up LDNers.org for more info if you want. I have high hopes for this!!! (which, of course, is stupid and always guarantees failure)

Thanks all for your tips!
-Bridget