Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications First Enbrel injection

Hi, I have AS, FM and OA.

I had my first enbrel shot yesterday. It did hurt but was over so quickly.

I slept good last night, hardly any night pain but I feel very tired, spacy and a little fluish today, is that a normal reaction? (It could be just the worry from starting to, I don't really know) I just want to sleep...

Give it some time. Sometimes it takes a few weeks, or more before it kicks in. Sometimes it starts helping right away. You never know. Just don't worry.
Donna

Hi there, it can take some time for your body to adjust to the new med. You might find the after effects ease as you're on Enbrel longer.

I hope the negative effects become less as the positive effects become stronger.

Hugs,

Thank you Donna & Kat, I will be taking my second injection tommorow, already a week.

I had major brain fog, burning eyes, stomache ache and just spaced for the first 2-3 days after the first injection. I laid down for 20 minutes the first day and woke up feeling so energized, wow! But somehow inspite of the fluish feeling, I still felt like I actually wanted to do things without weighing out the whole day to see I'd need the energy for something else. I don't think I realized just how bad I really felt. In fact I know I over did it after the injection the first 3-days.

Of course its wearing off now, noticed yesterday that I needed to sleep in the afteroon had alot more pain & stiffness. Woke up with a limp this morning.

But I am looking forward to the next injection and am hoping the flu like feeling will be gone.

I would suggest you call Enliven and talk to one of the on call nurses. They might have a suggestion for you to deal with the reaction you had. It might be as simple as taking an antihistamine.

You may find that your body reacts differently each week, and sometimes it could be to do with where you inject. My sweetie often injects in the thigh, but he's noticed that when he does his ab or arm, he actually has a better response. I rarely inject my thigh because it just hurts too darned much, so I have no basis for comparison. Both of us have found that some weeks it lasts longer than others. In fact, I've had a few weeks when I've felt so good that I've forgotten my injection until the day after I'm supposed to take it!! Then, other weeks, it runs out a day or so early. Still, it's never as bad as it was pre-biologics.

I hope the positive results continue.

Hugs,

Hi Kat, I had my second injection last Wednesday and the injection went a little better than I thought, injected into my thigh. I don't mind the thigh right now but like you say trying a different area may help more. I really haven't noticed a big difference yet more of a general feeling better...not so tired.

I'm having major issues with my right hip, si joint, lots of pain down my leg, it feels better to limp and my sternum is still quite flared and is causing lots of strain/pain in my rib cage. These areas are my worst areas anyways, so it may take time for the enbrel to work.
I can't take nsaids, to much gi reaction and side effects. So I guess I hsve to wait it out and hope for the best.

Take Care amd have a great weekend.

Hang in there Daisy! It took a month before I could notice any real change. My fingers are crossed for you.

I'm like Kat - it hurts me more in the thighs. I stick to injecting in my stomach, but I've never been coordinated enough to inject into my own arm. I'm pretty sure that would end in disaster if I tried it. lol

I thought I'd post and update to all of you who have encouraged me.

I just had my 5th injection of enbrel yesterday and each time I'm noticing improvement, not as much stiffness & pain. I actually feel motivated to do things which I haven't felt for years, not so exhausted with the simplist of tasks. Honestly I didn't know how bad I actually felt...I'm hoping that it just keeps getting better and better.
I'm still getting injection site reactions but other than that I feel pretty good.

Thanks for telling us the good news. It helps to encourage new people when they read that others are having good results.
Donna

HI everyone, I had my 11th enbrel injection this week.

When I first started the injections I noticed I wss not as tired and have better ROM not near as much pain.

Although I now have nodules forming on my fingers which I didn't have before and my right eyeball was very painful the day of the last injection???

The last couple of injections don't seem to be doing much,

I seem to be in a bad flare right now, the worst I've had in a long time, my left si joint is so inflamed. I can barely walk the last couple of mornings, it takes me all morning to get going. I had a couple of mm left of cartilage that was back in June so it could be I'm fusing??

I have one shot left and would like to use it but if I'm not better by Monday I want to contact my rhuemy to see what he thinks I may have to switch biologics.

Anyone had hit and miss with enbrel and did it get better and what about the fusing?