Enbrel side effects and does it work?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Happy almost new year.

I am inquiring if anyone here has taken Enbrel.

If so, how soon did you see positive benefits and if you don't see any in a month is that a bad sign?

Side effect? Did anyone get nauseous? And did their urine get more yellow ( that was awkward to ask rolleyes ))

Thanks.

2

I have been taking Enbrel for a few months now and it didn't do much. Dr. added a small dose of MTX which helps the Enbrel. I think I am seeing improvements, only one flare in 2 months! I do not have any side effects from Enbrel but I hate! taking the shots. I have a prefilled syringe.

3

Hi there,

I just started my enbrel 3 weeks ago.

My doctor told me it takes about 3 months to actually kick in, but in the mean time I still need to take methotrexate, prednisone, and leucovorine (sp?).

I recently got rashes on my leg where I got and had my previous injections. My doctor said it happens and just to take Zyrtec for the itchyness. But it's more sore around the injection site. So idk. We will see when I go to my next appointment.

As for my urine, it's not crazy yellow. But I'm sure with anything, drinking lots of water does help?

But that's all the info I have as of now. Hopefully enbrel will help.

Good luck and have a happy new year!

4

I when taken 4 injections so far.

Just re started the prednisone cause I was in the beginning of a flare before I started the Enbrel that only worsened.

I initially tried plaquinel and that didn't work.

She said she would switch to humara if this doesn't work at 3 months.

5

How long does your flares last.

Seems like when mine start they don't stop they do worsen. So she gave me prednisone again and the pain has come down.

I was off the prednisone for a month while taken the Enbrel and the flare came on.

6

Yeah I still have some flare ups.. not really in my hands anymore, most in my toes still.

7

How long do your flares last?

8

Honestly, it lasts all day

9

Mine can goes for wks. And need prednisone to stop it.

Has that ever happen to u

10

My doctor has me on methotrexate, prednisone, and leucovorine still along with my enbrel.

But my prednisone is only 10mg because he didn't want me to stay on it for a long period of time. But it does help a little but at the same time not really. But definitely if I wasn't taking prednisone, I think I would feel it more.

11

Same here. She really doesn't want me more than 10mg.

Neither do I. It's so hard to stop. Withdrawal symptoms. They even say u can get achier when trying to come off.

Plus at 20mg. I started to have side effects. With shaking and bruising.

12

Oh yes that's what my doc told me too about trying to get off of it.

But that crazy that with a higher dosage, that can happen.

13

Mine last about 3 days. The way my doctor does it is give me pain pills and when I get a flare I have prednisone to take during the flares only. You should read up on prednisone. If you take it every day and then suddenly stop you will go into pain because your body automatically makes pain killer. When you take prednisone all the time for (I think) about 2 months, your body stops making the pain killer and you will be in a LOT of pain. That is according to numerous comments on this forum and research that I have done. I don't take prednisone all the time, just during the flare to bring the pain down. I will try to find the article that explains it or maybe someone with experience will jump in.

14

I used enbrel for 6+ years. A month is a short time unless you were already using this type drug along with methotrexate or plaquinil. Prednisone avoid long term. Currently I am at 15 mg a day for past 18 months. If you have been extrabated a while it may take 3 months for your joints to feel better. And yea you'll p*ss yellow. And it might have a foul odor. I puke about twice a week any way..... 

15

I took Enbrel for 9 months along with 25 mg of MTX didn't stop flare up had to have steroids three or four months in.

Suffered with chest infections voice loss and reoccurring UIT

Then hospitalised with nephritis

I was then taken off the Enbrel Left on MTX and steroids.

Then after 6 months moved onto another Biological

Still not under control

16

9 months?

My doc said no more than 3 months on any RA meds if it is not working , then change to a new drug.

Wow. I'm sorry they kept u on so long. That's crap.

17

I get nauseous. You r throwing up?

Why do u keep taking it then?

Also u said don't take prednisone long term but ur taking it 18months?

18

I now take orencia and arava. 17 years of these meds. Remicaide, humira, embrel.... And the prednisone. 4 years ago Steroidal induced type 2 diabetes from prednisone. A little here a little there.... Prednisone is easy to fall back on when u go weeks in pain and unable to really function. I'm 55 now... Diagnosed at 38. Both knees replaced, both elbows joint surgeries .... Still I believe the meds have slow the progression of RA. Good luck to you.

19

Sometimes you feel like a guinea pig

The RA clinic always tell us to give it at least 3 months

20

So why did they keep u ok it 9 months then?