Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

OhMickey, did you look at this site:? enbrel.com/" title="http://www.enbrel.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.enbrel.com/

Hello Mickey,

I take enbrel - inject myself once a week in the thigh using an autoinjector. It's like a pen that you press against your skin and then press a button to inject. I was apprehensive about it at first but got used to it very quickly. It works very well for me, within 6 weeks or so I saw an enormous improvement.
Feel free to send me a message if you have any more questions about it.

Kim.

Hi there, Enbrel worked really well for me and withing 3 weeks i noticed a difference. I felt like the old me was back and felt 'cured'. Tho of course you are not. The biggest difference was in my general well being as i felt less tired and generally less achey. I chose to do the injections twice weekly in my stomach and got used to it quickly. Unfortunatly i have devewloped side effects that mean i have stopped this and am now going to try another one. Good luck - it really IS worth it.

I've been on Enbrel for 4 years and it has worked great on the swelling. It is an injection but really its no big deal. I too was nervous about needles but they showed me how at the office. The benefits are worth it.

Thank you all for your input. SarahKeturah I will check out that website, thank you.

Also, fidjitz what type of side effects where you having? I really would like to get back into the gym. I am tired all the time and am swollen so it is easy to just come home from work and veg, but that is not normally me. I really thought MTX would work for me, but at this time it is not. I really don't want to take prednisone, due to fact that I have already gained a lot of weight and don't want more to depress me even more. I feel so restless at times especially at night. My skin itches so bad all the time UGHHHHHHHHHHHH.... I just want some relief.

ok...I have been taking the Enbrel for 3 weeks and I am feeling more energy...however, I was wondering if anyone new when the swelling and joint pain would start to subside?...Then I woke up this morning with a terrible cold..I am running a fever as usual..but my toes and ankles are like purple swollen...I just want this medicince to work faster....I want my life back!...my ra doctor said he would have me back to normal that this was the miracle drug...but he also said it would only take 2 weeks for me to feel normal...but then added it can take 3 mths too..I was wondering who else has taken this med and how long did it take for them...and did they get a cold from no where too?

Embrel worked wounders on me untill my isurance messed it up. My JRA got worse at a snails pace and I had alot more energy. The pain level went way down. I took pain pills maby once every three months.

I have been on Enbrel about a year. Prior to taking it, I was on MTX. I was in extreme pain and my knees were so painful and swollen that I could hardly walk. After my first shot, I started to notice some improvement. My knees is where I noticed it the most. Within a few days, I was able to walk down the stairs. This was huge for me. Overall, Enbrel has been a miracle drug for me. However, it does bring it's own set of risks. For me, I started to catch every cold out there and then it would turn into an upper resp infection, not fun. The dr has sinced spaced out my injections and that has helped a lot. I use the Sureclick too and it makes it easier.

hi Ive been on Enbrel for 3 years now. I had to stop taking it for a year because of pneumonia but they discovered it was rheumatoid lung disease. They thought at first that the enbrel caused all the resp. problems, but through blood work they ruled out the enbrel. I started back on it in Feb and have been doing great since. I take it by injection once a week and its very easy to do. sometimes the medication stings a little going in but it only takes about 20 seconds. its really worth a try. I also had more energy. I hope this helped.
Laurie

I have been on enbrel for two years, I HATE needles. I still get a little nervous doing it but the improvement that enbrel offers are signifgant. However I have had many infections, which is a side effect of enbrel. Also, make sure your insurance company is good, it's a "live injection" which means you get it delievered to your house once a month. It can be a real hassle but worth it. You really have to stay on top of your insurance company!!! Without insurance it's about 1500 for 4 needles!