Enbrel and hives

[Wildschonau]

I have just started enbrel five weeks ago. It is great and my ra is a lot better the only problem are hives at the injection site. Has anyone else had this?

Thanks

Alison

[Hidden]

At the beginning a couple of times I had a red area around the injection site but it was not raised like hives. The more I injected the less it has become, what I do get a lot of, which I have been told is normal, is bleeding at the site on removal of the pen. Sometimes it's more severe than others so I make sure that I have some cotton wool pads to hand as well as the normal swab that we are given, I use the swab first and then the pads. I cannot say if it's more in one thigh than the other.

Going back to your original question, you should still be in contact with the nurse that came to your home to advise you on how to inject, I would give her a call and mention that you are experiencing this and she/he will be able to help you further. Use her as you have her until your 12th week before reverting back to your hospital. They will not mind and it helps to know that they are there, along with us of course.

I hope you are seeing small signs of improvement at this stage. It does take the full twelve weeks for really noticeable improvement, so keep at it! Take care. xxx

[Case]

Yes I did, had to come off it completely. Obviously I was allergic plus being asthmatic they did not want to risk a more serious reaction. Have started on cimzia instead and had no adverse reactions. Good luck.

[Missbb]

Hi,

I'm on enbrel and have been for a year or so.does your enbrel come in a pen or syringe?i had injection site reactions when I was using the pen.my Rheumy nurse advised that I use ice to numb the area prior to injecting and immediately after the injection.that helped a lot,they also advised to take an anti histamine an hour before injecting.your GP can also priscribe a cream to put on prior to injecting,might be a good idea to talk to them next time you see them .all this helped me but in the end I changed to pre-filled syringes because the pen was just too painful to use.

Hope this helps.good luck

[Wildschonau in reply to Missbb]

Thanks for your tips and advise. I am using a pen which I don't find stings too much. My ra is loads better so I will try the ice etc, thanks for your help. Alison

[Jas22]

Hi Ive had the same thing, icing the site before and after injecting. Also take an antihistamine and hour before and my rheumy has prescribed a cortisone cream. After a few weeks this was not so effective and a friend of mine asked if I had tried Essential Oils - Lavender specificially, I did as I was desperate to get rid of the swelling, itching and heat and it has worked wonders!I just dab a little on my finger and apply to the site a few times a day and its smells lovely too - helps to calm me down too!

[Wildschonau]

Thanks Jas

Did you blend the lavender oil with anything or just use it straight?

[Jas22 in reply to Wildschonau]

Hi, no I used it straight. I tip the bottle onto the tip of my finger and then apply that to the site. Let it absorb (does so very quickly though). I do that about twice or thrice and find that it lasts longer and then only need to it once or twice a day, hope this helps you.