Starting Enbrel for Rheumatoid Arthritis today

[Melensdad]

I'm 63 years old. At age 24 I was exhibiting symptoms of serious Rheumatoid Arthritis. At age 25 I started treatments with a Rheumatologist.
I've been taking Methotrexate since age 26 or 27? Various other meds tried for 30+ years with great success. But over the past 6 years things have decidedly gotten worse.

Humira was the first injection I started, it worked great for several years, and then it stopped.

Cimzia was the next injection of choice as prescribed by my specialist, it worked well for about a year, but never great. Injections were on a 28 day cycle, 2 shots of 200ml each. It would 'fade' roughly around day 22-23 and I would look forward to the next injection. Doctor switched me to 1 injection of 200ml every 14 days. Still had experience with fading effectiveness.

So today I start Enbrel. Hopefully this will work for me.

I've been in "low grade" pain for the past 4-5 months. It tires me out, I feel fatigued from fighting the pain, and I get crabby to the people around me. Been taking a lot more ibuprofen and a lot more Tramadol to control the pain. So I have hopes the Enbrel will work.

 

[Ross 650]

Hope it works for you. Hang in there!!!

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Seems to have a good overall rating: https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/tnf-alfa-inhibitors.html
Have you ever tried any non-standard therapies like peptides? You should ask your doctor about BPC-157 and Thymosin-alpha-1.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment by Regenerative Medicine - Medical Articles by Dr. Ray

Dr. David Lans gave a talk at a conference in Las Vegas about rheumatoid arthritis treatment by regenerative medicine. This was at the 27th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine in Las Vegas from Dec. 13 to 15th, 2019. The full title of his presentation was “Rheumatoid Arthritis, A...

www.askdrray.com

Although most mainstream doctor's probably won't prescribe these since they aren't something the drug companies are promoting.

 

[FrancSevin]

After FDA study, the side effects were noted as "precautions" just like any other Prescription drug..... except the "Jab" whichmany were forced to take.

1. Response stopped
   Certainly! Etanercept, also known by its brand name Enbrel, is a medication used to treat certain types of arthritis and a skin condition called psoriasis. Let’s delve into the potential side effects:
   1. Common Side Effects:
      • Injection Site Reactions: These may include redness, swelling, itching, or pain at the site where the medication is injected.
      • Upper Respiratory Infections: Symptoms like pharyngitis, rhinitis, and sinusitis may occur.
      • Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the throat.
      • Rhinitis: Irritation or inflammation of the nasal passages.
      • Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses.
   2. Serious Side Effects:
      • Infections: Etanercept increases the risk of serious infections. Signs of infection include fever, chills, persistent sore throat, cough, night sweats, trouble breathing, painful/frequent urination, unusual vaginal discharge, and white patches in the mouth. It’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly if any of these symptoms arise.
      • Rash on Nose and Cheeks: A specific type of rash associated with etanercept.
      • Dizziness: Unexplained dizziness.
      • Extreme Fatigue: Profound tiredness.
      • Hair Loss: Unusual hair thinning or loss.
      • Swelling of Arms/Legs: Edema in the extremities.
      • Unusual Bruising/Bleeding: Seek medical advice if you experience this.
      • Severe Headache: Persistent and severe headaches.
      • Mental/Mood Changes: Any significant changes in mood or behavior.
      • Seizures: Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.
      • Unexplained Muscle Weakness: Sudden weakness without apparent cause.
      • Numbness/Tingling of Hands/Feet: Abnormal sensations.
      • Unsteadiness: Difficulty maintaining balance.
      • Vision Changes: Any alterations in vision.
      • Severe Stomach/Abdominal Pain: Intense pain in the stomach area.
      • Persistent Nausea/Vomiting: Prolonged nausea or vomiting.
      • Dark Urine: Abnormal urine color.
      • Yellowing Eyes/Skin: Jaundice.
   3. Precautions and Considerations:
      • Before taking etanercept, inform your doctor about your medical history, including any infections, blood disorders, cancer history, diabetes, heart failure, seizures, liver problems, and nervous system issues.
      • Etanercept interacts with other medications, so discuss any ongoing treatments with your doctor.
      • Regular monitoring and precautions are essential during etanercept therapy.
   Remember to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and to report any unusual symptoms promptly.
   For more detailed information, please refer to the source provided. If you experience any concerning side effects, seek medical attention promptly.
   

   Learn more​

   1msn.com2drugs.com3healthline.com4drugs.com5versusarthritis.org+2 more
   
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   • Let’s chat
   • What is the dosage of etanercept?
   • How long does it take for etanercept to work?
   • Are there any alternative treatments for arthritis and psoriasis?
   
   Good luck!
   
   
   

 

[tommu56]

I' on quite a few medications mainly for my asthma.
I call it a life with chemistry because if I don't take them I'm worse.
back in 1999 a friend was talking about prepping and getting a years supply of meds and having them in a backpack for when the SHTF day I said I'd need a duce and half not a back pack

 

[Melensdad]

So I am about 16 weeks into Enbrel. It has been pretty rough.

For the first 3 months I think I averaged about 9 to 12 advil per day plus 2, sometimes 3 Tramadol (a fairly mild Opioid, but it works better than Hydrocodone), and too frequently a whisky (or 2 or even 3) to calm the daily aches and pains.

But at about the 3 month mark things got noticeably better.

I'm down to 3 to 6 advil per day. Some days I skip Tramadol completely! Seem like if I do a lot of yard work or other muscular types of activities I need the Tramadol. I had a couple drinks tonight, mainly to relax. But have not had, or needed for pain, any alcohol for a week, maybe 2. So clearly the Enbrel is starting to work.

I do feel aches and pains in my fingers, hands, wrists and elbows and I can tolerate that and simply use advil. But when it moved into my shoulders then I know I need to upgrade the pain meds to a combination of 3 advil + 1 tramadol. The combination of both seems to work far better than taking them separately. I did have that combination this afternoon, but it was after doing a good bit of planting in the flower beds today.

Overall, starting to see results from Enbrel and hoping it will get better. On Humira I was feeling totally pain free for quite a while... and then it totally failed. Switched to Cimzia and that seemed to partially work but never really did the job. Enbrel seems to be on the right track. Sadly its now 4 months in before I can say that.

 

[FrancSevin]

That is a lot of Advil. I know it helps with the pain but,,,; How is that good for you?

 

[pirate_girl]

That is a lot of Advil. I know it helps with the pain but,,,; How is that good for you?

It's not.
I destroyed my stomach lining after taking either Advil or Aleve or aspirin for my constant back pain, then the arthritic conditions started popping up in various parts of my body.
Last March I had a fairly large stomach ulcer, which I healed through diet, acid reducers (famotidine) and probiotics and believe it or not, two tablespoons of raw organic honey morning and night.
Pain management through both OTC and prescription drugs can lead to serious damage.
The only thing I can do now is take extra strength Tylenol and use topical creams like BioFeeeze and or pain patches.
Years of being in pain and just taking anything to relieve it has proven to be not the best course of action.
I've learned to manage it so I can stay active.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Another vote for avoiding Advil. Before I had my knees replaced I was eating it like candy. I now have Stage 4 chronic kidney disease and strongly believe it´s from the ibuprofen and my lifetime of high blood pressure. If you aren´t a big drinker then stick to acetaminophen or ideally try to wean yourself off the pain killers.
Diet is so important. It can be hard to change eating habits and avoiding favorite foods but in general a boring well balanced non-processed food diet can help resolve so many health issues.

 

[FrancSevin]

I was diagnosed with Hypertension in my 20's. My doctor put me on Valsartan and one aspirin a day.
I often take two now, sometimes a second dose in the evening.

Advil and other Ibuprofens only with severe pain from injuries and only for short periods.

Topicals like "Icy-Hot" generally do a better job.

PG the honey is a great supplement providing many healthful benefits. Locally produced raw honey is best. Buy in bulk as it stores forever. I have at least five quarts put away right now.

My current weakness is for alcohol. I used to drink two fifths a year at best. Now I am consuming one every month to manage pain and gain sleep. I am switching to melatonin supplements which seems to provide access to slumber as easily. However, I still have a desire for the booze.

Working on that.

Common Medical advice after 60 is to quit smoking and eliminate booze. I quit smoking cigarettes in my teens when my current squeeze said it was like kissing and ashtray. But the booze is a whole nuther matter.

 

[daavidharris]

Thanks for sharing your story it’s clear you’ve been managing a lot with incredible strength. I hope Enbrel provides the relief you’re looking for.

Have you looked into peptides like BPC-157 or TB-500? Some people with chronic pain or inflammation have found them helpful alongside traditional treatments. If it’s something you’re curious about, make sure to consult your doctor first.

When I researched peptides, I came across a few providers like Behemoth Labz that seem to have good reviews. If you go that route, just ensure the source is reputable.

Wishing you the best on this next phase of your journey!

 

[NorthernRedneck]

I'm on a daily milkshake of meds for pain and other things. I've been taking naproxen every morning and night for pain. Along with baclofen twice daily for nerve pain. I also have a blood pressure pill and an antacid for my stomach every morning. Plus mmj throughout the day in microdoses via a vape pen. Within minutes, my back and muscular pain relaxes.

 

[Melensdad]

Thanks for sharing your story it’s clear you’ve been managing a lot with incredible strength. I hope Enbrel provides the relief you’re looking for.

Have you looked into peptides like BPC-157 or TB-500? Some people with chronic pain or inflammation have found them helpful alongside traditional treatments. If it’s something you’re curious about, make sure to consult your doctor first.

When I researched peptides, I came across a few providers like Behemoth Labz that seem to have good reviews. If you go that route, just ensure the source is reputable.

Wishing you the best on this next phase of your journey!

Thanks, I'm now somewhere around 10.5 months into weekly Enbrel shots.

It took 3 to 4 months before I started to get any relief.

We made plans to consider changing to some other drug at the 6 month point.

But between months 4 and 6 I started to get much more relief from the Enbrel. I've gone down from 2 to 3 Tramadol + 12 ibuprofen per day to something much closer to 3 to 5 tramadol and 12 ibuprofen per week. So a massive improvement.

I will also add to all that, that I was drinking bourbon in the evening to kill the pain, and alcohol is a great pain reliever. I've also gone from 3 to 6oz of bourbon per evening to ZERO bourbon most evenings.

Approximately 75 days ago I had a Cortisone injection into my left wrist as my wrist is 'bone on bone' and there are no viable surgical options other than to "freeze" my wrist by permanently joining my bones so that my wrist will no longer move. I have refused that surgery for the past 20 years. The Cortisone injection dramatically reduced the pain. It is NOT a long term solution but injections 3 times per year are a compromise solution to ease the pain.