Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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To start Enbrel or not?

GabrielAngel
GabrielAngel
I switched over from MTX pills to Otrexup (MTX) injections 2 weeks ago. I did my second Otrexup injection this weekend. I really feel great. All of the pain has subsided. My rheumy and I talked about starting Enbrel after a month on Otrexup. I feel so good now I don't know if I really need to start the Enbrel. I really want to put off a biologic as long as I can but not at a cost to my body. Thoughts? Feelings? Advice?

Thanks, Dana
bcatz
bcatz
If you feel the RA is arrested, stick with it! As long as your liver is ok and blood work is regular, do what WORKS. Save the other stuff for when the methotrexate stops.

I bet your doctor didn't expect you to have such great results since it's the same thing you were on, just a different delivery method.

Way to go on feeling better!
carrottop50
carrottop50
Yes it is great you are feeling better and I sure hope it stays that way for you. I know I didn't want to on a biologic yet but it didn't work that way for me. I agree with bcatz if you are doing ok and your test results are good... I would continue what you are doing for as long as you can. Of course talk with your doctor about how you feel about adding a biologic at this time.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Be careful. I hate to be a doomsayer but some of the biologics take a long time to take effect. I was on Enbrel and it quit working after 15 years. I went back on MTX and Ariva and everything seemed to be fine. Doc suggested Orencia and I waivered. I also didn't want to start another drug and I was feeling good. The feeling good didn't last and now I am told that Orencia can take 6 months to a year to take full effect. I am on my 4th month and starting to see improvement but it has been a killer 4 months. Talk to your doc and I know you will make the decision that is best for you
Angelpuss
Angelpuss
If Methotrexate is working well and your blood tests confirm this, you may well be someone who doesn't need to go onto further meds.
Discuss this with your Rheumy and make sure you get all your questions answered before you make a decision either way.
It's great that you are feeling so well and I hope it continues for you.
lady3jane
lady3jane
I agree with Angelpuss - your blood test results should be taken into account. If your CRP is normal, then I would say put off the Enbrel. But sometimes how you feel and the amount of inflammation don't correlate. If your inflammation is still high, you are still getting damage to your body, so I would say in that case try the Enbrel.