Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Calling all Enbrel users, past and present!

aloha ben,

Thanks for the info, you have traveled a long hard road, haven't you? Well, thank you for your experience as we can all learn from you. That is awesome that you are having a good run with the Enbrel. I hope it keeps on working.

Take care,
Donette

Hey Jimmy,

The Lyrica is powerful stuff. I used it last summer for a little while. It seemed the smaller dose wouldn't give me that hungover morning after feeling, but the bigger dose did. Sure makes for a happier existence though. I'm glad that you can find some relief with it.

Take Care,
Donette

To amke the shots easier. I iced the spot first. My side effects was uselessness the day and day after my shot. I slept. It did not help my AS but it helped my allergies, cholesterol, polycythemia, and other heath issues. I am no longer on the shots, but I wish I was. I say stick with it. I hope it works for your AS.

Thanks Patty,

I feel lucky. I really do think it is working. My doc gave me a monster shot of slow release steroid about 3 weeks before I started the Enbrel, so I'm waiting for the ax to drop, hoping my lack of symptoms aren't due to the steroids. I'm crossing my fingers. That's amazing the shots helped so many other diseases in you. As miserable as this disease is, I can't help but be fascinated by the science of it all. (Ha, the nerd smiley fits me perfectly!)

Take Care,
Donette

Things I've discovered:

Skin reactions can be lessened or even prevented by taking Benadryl the night before and at the same time you do the shot. I preferred the pre-filled syringe to the auto- injector because you can control the rate at which you inject and also stop and start in a different place if there is too much pain. Also, letting the shot sit out until it is at room temperature makes it less painful. Enbrel helped me for a year, but I recently quit taking it. It just wasn't controlled my inflammation any more.

Hey Gerhardt,

I totally wish I would have done the pre-filled syringes, there's always next time!! (If the med is still working.)

So far I have not had any injection site reactions other than an egg shaped lump that went away after a day and a half. I think that was just the medicine. yuck. makes me weak just talking about it!!

So what's your next course of action after the enbrel?

Take Care,
Donette

Hi Donnette,
The only downside to the prefilled syringe is that if you don't like needles, you can't pretend there isn't one there like you can with the auto-injector. The Benadryl helped eliminate the lump for me, just by taking a couple of caplets from Walmart ($4 a bottle) the night before and the night of the shot.

I found with the syringe if the injection really hurt I would pull it and try a different spot. You don't really have that option with the auto injector.

The current course for me is just Prednisone and pain-killers. Its not ideal, but I am planning a trip and I don't want to deal with infusions or refrigerated syringes. Also, my wife and I are thinking about giving "kids" a try. I really wish I knew how much the TNF meds affect male fertility and/or the fetus, but there doesn't seem to be research on it. I hope that's not too much information :-)

Best Wishes,

Gerhardt

Hey Gerhardt,

This is good karma for your pursuit to have kids because I got a newsletter today that had an article about a study recently done regarding TNF blockers and Male fertility. Here is the link:

http://www.spondylitis.org/press/news/361.aspx

It sounds quite promising for you. Good luck to you and your wife. Kids are amazing. I had my three before my nightmare with AS started. Life is about having Joy and so you guys should totally go for it!!

As for your trip, my doc gave me a slow-release shot of steroids (120mg) and it lasted for 3 weeks (while I waited for enbrel). The doc explained why the shot was better than oral prednisone, something about the oral version makes spikes and drops in our good chemicals, the shot makes a big spike and a slow drop. And wow was it ever effective. I haven't felt that good in a couple of years. Of course it wears off eventually, but it sure felt good for 3 weeks to be normal!! I didn't even need pain med. Wow!

Take Care,
Donette

I started on Enbrel in December And I have to admit it has made my life SO much better. I can exercise take long evening walks.. I saw my RA 2 weeks ago and she said the the damage is still going to happen but it will slow down.. I am just so happy NO PAIN!! Well she moved my legs just the right way an I almost jumped off the table but my everyday "stuff" no pain YYIIPPEE I just kept telling myself This will make me feel better. I was at the point I would have done anything to make the pain stop. I use the surclick.. So easy..I do it in my stomach (yes grab my fat and stick it in) ha ha Yes I am using the assit for help with the copay. When I pick up the perscription it say 300.00 something dollars I give them the card and all I have to pay is 52.00 a month.. I am not taking any additional drugs with the Enbrel.. I have not noticed any side effects??