I have been on Enbrel for about nine months now and m... - NRAS

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I have been on Enbrel for about nine months now and my kidney functions are getting bad. Has anyone else had problems with kidneys failing?

salem974 profile image
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My feet and ankles have also swollen up so I cannot wear shoes.

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salem974
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allanah profile image
allanah

No sorry Salem I haven't had this experience although I know that some drugs do affect kidney function as can RA itself on rare occasions.

Personally I would call the rheumatology helpline and explain your problem as soon as possible as it sounds like a serious problem. Or if you get worse today I would call at your A Nd E department.

Hope you get help soon, and they might even stop the Enbrel and change your medication.

Good luck, let us know how u get on?

Hello

It is now important to discuss this with the GP, so that kidney function tests are carried out. Even if they have been performed in the last few weeks.

This medication possibly has outlived it usefulness and another one may have to be prescribed

All the best

BOB

earthwitch profile image
earthwitch

Ask your GP what the protocol is for dealing with reducing kidney function. They should have been monitoring your eGFR (filtration rate) and I think you are meant to be referred to a kidney specialist if either the eGFR is dropping more than a certain amount every year, or its below a certain level (which is actually quite low), or if you have another disease that is causing the problems - for example an autoimmune inflammatory condition. Ask exactly what your kidney function is, how fast it is going down, whether there is any possibility it is related to your RA, and whether you should be referred to a kidney specialist.

You also need to discuss continued treatment with the enbrel with your rheumatologist rather than your GP. I did a quick search for medical evidence and the only thing I could find was a study that said "In conclusion, our data indicate that the use of TNFα inhibitors has no negative effect on renal function in patients with kidney disease." which would seem to mean that biologics might really be the only suitable treatment for you (NSAIDs and DMARDs can both decrease renal function). I personally wouldn't want a nervous GP taking you off enbrel before you checked it out properly.

FWIW the study is online at : ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... Its very technical, but you might want to print it out and show your GP if they are suggesting you come off the enbrel.

ggtone1937 profile image
ggtone1937

I have had R/A for the past 5 yrs; during that time I have been on Sulphasalazine and Methotrexate, I am now on just Prednisalone and for the past 2 months I have had Kidney problems, with high Creatinine & Potassium levels

Kracker55 profile image
Kracker55

YES! I was on Enbrel for 4 months when all of a sudden I lost 26 pounds in 3 months doing nothing. I also started to get a very annoying weakness and uneasy feeling in my buttocks. I could not relax the muscle in my buttocks. I have never gained the weight back and just had my creatine level checked after being off Enbrel for 3 months and I'm at 591 when I should be around 130 or so. My low back aches and I just feel really ill. I have high Neurophites and low Lymphocites. Enbrel worked great for me but as soon as I noticed the weight loss I was off it. Enbrel can cause MS so I would rather have joint aim than ruin the rest of my life I'm only 51

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