Hi guys
At hospital today for DAS only to find my baselines had been done and it's time to move to next phase. Had education for Enbrel, I know it's works well for a lot of people but kind of frightening stuff, I'm unsure about it
Need to put my mind at ease I guess and googling it isn't going to do that lol
Good news Pedz. You are on the road to hopefully getting some control over this disease. Enbrel has been good for me. It has allowed me to get off steroids and other DMARDs which in itself is a miracle and I have got some life back.
It is natural to have lots of questions and feel sure you will find loads of people here on the forum waiting to support you and encourage you. However you will not be left alone as the Biologics nurse will be in contact with you and you can phone them anytime if you have worries as well as your own rheumy team. I found the back up and support very good and very reassuring.
Really hope this works for you.
Take care
BG
Enbrel was my first anti-TNF many moons ago and changed my life for 7 years. For me I have far fewer side effects with biologics than with DMARD's. It will take up to 12 weeks to be effective. Of course this may not be the one for you but the door for biologics is now open. Farm
Hi Pedz
I'm just waiting on delivery of same drug although it is a biosimilar called Benepali that I am getting (just a different name for enbrel).
I was on Cimzia but unfortunately didn't work for me so this is my 2nd Biologic to try.
Hope it works well for both of us ☺
Hi Pedz, I started on Humira, then I was moved to Enbrel. It has worked well for me with few side effects. I know taking a biologic can be daunting, just like when you first started taking methotrexate. Enbrel is one of the longest biologics on the market, it has been on the market for almost 20 years. As there are risks with any drug, you have to decide for yourself if the benefit outweighs the risk. Personally without Enbrel, I would be in a wheelchair with no quality of life, so I accepted it with open arms.
I suggest you DO google it! educate yourself, learn and read everything you can, but do go to the Enbrel site and read the drug insert, this is the most accurate description written by the makers of the drug. It will tell you everything you need to know. Knowing what you are putting in your body is better then not knowing, and thinking the worst. Education really is power.
I wish you good luck!
Hi, just read your post.....it rang loud bells with me......was also on humira up until 3 years ago when I stupidly got breast cancer....sorry, just my slightly warped sense of humour.....so had to come off the humira.....went onto abatacept about 9 months ago but no good......so, because humira worked so well pre BC, rheumy decided to put me back on it.....ha, not so good second time around......RA seems to have gone mad......so, now waiting to start enbrel......
It helps to know that it does work for some people.....
I think at the moment that I am feeling slightly pessimistic about it all but am trying to saty positive......sooner or later I have to get back to how I was....
Sorry, feel as though I've gone on a lot....
Take care
Carter57
Good luck with the Enbrel, sometimes its trial and error to get the right drug or combination of drugs that work for each individual. There seems to be road bumps along the way too. My Enbrel worked really good for over a year, I had what I would consider remission, now I have flares that I can feel, some days worse than others, Its not a full on flare like before I was diagnosed, but it is as if the Enbrel is still dampening the RA, but some days its quite bad. I am concerned my Enbrel is starting to fail, like its not effective enough. My Rhuemy is keeping an eye on things for now, but has already discussed the possibility of adding additional drugs or changing my biologic.
Breast cancer is a huge life changer, as if you dont already have enough to deal with! All any of can do if go forward, having a good doctor really helps. I count myself so lucky to have the Rheumy I have, but I had to change my primary care physician (family doctor) due to countless years of him blowing me off, and just really mindless practice.
Keep us posted on how the Enbrel works, fingers crossed for you!
Hello Pedz. I was on Enbrel for six years. And those were really great six years. It helped me live a pretty normal life and I didn't have side effects. I too was scared when I first started. That's pretty normal. Just take things slow and talk to your nurse or consultant about your worries. It really helped me get over my fears. As Hobbits has said education really is power.
Take good care.
Cas xx 😊
It worked very quickly for me and got me off steroids and I am doing so well now. I did have injection site reactions which were unpleasant but after about 6 weeks that settled. I am so pleased that I stuck it out! I was worried to begin with but the people on the NRAS helpline were amazing and so knowledgeable, I can't thank them enough.
Very best wishes. I really hope that it all goes well for you.
i was scared of going on Enbrel, as with any medication, but have now been on it 12 years. I am back walking with the ramblers, and try to walk a couple of miles on my own every day. I am 81 years old and everyone tells me I am marvellous for my age. I do hope Enbrel works as well for you. I have never had any trouble using it and no side effects. All the best xx
That in its self is wonderful reassurance and encouragement for anyone starting out on the biologics route.
Take Care and long may you enjoy your rambles.
Bless you. Keep well xx
It's easy to administer. I can't find any side effects apart from feeling better and having to put the walking sticks in the cupboard.
I have been on it for five weeks a although I have reactions at the site of injections I feel better inside. Can't really put it another way. So give it a go and hopefully you be feeling better soon 😃
Hi guys thanks for the encouraging words I will definitely be giving it a chance my girlfriend has made that decision for me bless her 
also I am going to apply for ill health retirement from work I have been on the sick for approaching 3 months now and no end in sight so I am tied to the offshore company and can't look for more suitable employment on shore it's going to happen anyway so I'm thinking of a preemptive move. However it's a big step had the same job for 28 years
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