I just took my first (in doctor's office) dose yesterday, so I'm a week behind you. The office shot didn't go as planned. I chose to do it in my stomach (was on it 3yrs ago and preferred there). Both the nurse and I had trouble because I'm, well, soft in my belly. I finally worked, but I had no blood and no bruise.

I've had no symptoms this round and didn't have any three years ago either except itching where I got the injection. I remember having a small bruise or sometimes a hive pop up for a couple of days.

I sure hope this works for both of us!

I was in enbrel for about 3 weeks. I got a huge bruise from it...no big deal a little blood. Yes stung like heck. Worse than humira. I got a little lightheaded some dizziness was it from the drug or anxiety from the darn shot. But they both went away. Once again i ended up with a sinus infection and nose sores so i am niw off it. My fear is infusions are next in line. DAMN

Enbrel was my first in bios.
Yes painful injection. Icing before helped some.
Did not bleed to often.
Had the taste in the back of my throat after every injection & actually felt it through the nasal passage.
Worked well for me but did get sinus & respitory infections. Sinus headaches day after but that improved. although each time I went off the injections because of infections I'd get the morning after headache.
Worked very well with fighting exhaustion.
I get lightheaded & dizzy when my RA is not controlled.
Hope it works for you. I was lucky & felt relief after the first injection.
Stopped working a little over a year & a half.
Wishing you luck,
Sammy

Racerunner, I wonder if your primary care doctor could prescribe an antibiotic to take while your Enbrel ramps up?

I've known a few people who did that for sinus and respiratory infections.

Thanks bcatz. My primary has a hard time with antibiodics like she is over prescribing and so i suffer unless my rheumy gives me meds. I am so tired of the infections

Enbrel I had to do in my thigh. That pen wouldn't work in my stomach like Humira did for some reason. Other than stinging for a minute or so and sometimes a drop of blood & a bruise maybe the day after I had no issues. The upside was the bruise helped me remember which leg I used the week before so it was easy to keep track.


@racerunner, methinks tnf blockers aren't for you since you're reacting to them so quickly. Maybe its time to try orencia or xeljanz and see if you have better luck? I know orencia can take a while to kick in but it also has the least side effects of them all. I'm on my 3rd tnf this year but because they quit working/didn't work at all not because the side effects made me stop. If Remicade fails (which it WON'T because the 3rd time is the charm ;) I'm not trying another tnf I'll move on to something else.

Good luck!
Emerald

The only annoying reaction I have experienced is a rash the day after my second dose. The site I injected the day prior AND the site I injected a week prior became red, raised, and itchy. I now take Benadryl before my injections and haven't had a reaction like that since. Fingers crossed!

@Emerald HAH! I think the same about the bruising from the shot. It's like a bonus that I can remember which leg to stick :)

Thanks emerald..i have had the same sinus infections upper respiratory tract infections from methotrexate, humira and now enbrel. Getting very frustrated not only with not being able to stay on the meds but also from the infections. I see my rheumy on the 19th and will be discussing options. And meanwhile i sit in pain with sinus issues. I will read up on orencia and xeljanz. Somethings gotta give here

So just like Nickelin25 I have hives on BOTH injection sites 5 days after my second dose! I get hives with almost every antibiotic that I've been prescribed. Not sure if this will stay at injection site. I'm on my way to work so no Benadryl for me! Wish me luck! I'm terrified I will end up in the hospital later. I will keep you posted!!!

RAMom - start taking Allegra each day. It's over the counter and doesn't cause drowsiness. That might be what you need.

I'm three months into Enbrel, and I've had no side effects whatsoever. Nothing at all at the injection site. I did develop what I think was some kind of boil on my back a couple of weeks after starting Enbrel. My doc gave me a prescription antibiotic cream and it cleared up with no problem after a couple of weeks. I've had one cold since starting Enbrel. In fact, this was my first cold since starting all of these drugs (MTX, Plaquenil, Enbrel) over a year ago. My husband and I both woke up with a sore throat on the same day. While I was definitely sicker than he was, the cold lasted about the same length of time for both of us.

I stopped the MTX four weeks after starting Enbrel because my hair was falling out in handfuls. Since then my fatigue is so much better, so I don't know if I feel better because of the Enbrel or because I stopped the MTX. I'm thinking it's because of stopping the MTX because the Enbrel hasn't really helped my pain too much. That's slightly worse now since stopping the MTX. Doc visit again on the 15th, so we'll reassess then I'm guessing.

Hope Enbrel works for you!