etanercept

[Vonnie10]

Hi just a bit of advice I'm starting etranercept tomorrow but I've got a real heavy cold and cough I'm just wondering if they will go on or is it a no go whilst your unwell

Thanks in advance

[Therapy6650]

Hi Yvonne, I believe they will cancel the treatment until you are over the illness - usually clear of all symptoms for 5 days. This is the case for me at present and I have been on etranercept for years now - when I get a cold or virus I have to stop treatment until it's gone- usually have to have antibiotics just to be sure - then after 5 days I start treatment again. I got a lot of breathing difficulties and chest infections at the beginning of my treatment but it's now much better and I wouldn't change it for all the money in China lol- hope you feel better soon and the treatment goes as well for you as it has for me.

Yours Sincerely

Alan

[Someonesmother]

They usually wait until you are well before taking it. It can lead to a much more serious infection if you take it while unwell.

[Vonnie10 in reply to Someonesmother]

Ok thankyou I thought it was the case I cancelled the appointment this morning

[Someonesmother in reply to Vonnie10]

It won't be long and then you will be able to start it. Better to be as healthy as you can when you begin so it has a chance to work well. Good luck

[rawillbebeaten]

Hi Yvonne,

Yes others have said, it would be too much of a risk to give you the injection whilst you are unwell. I have to say that I was on Etanercept from 2002 to 2014 and if I was told not to inject if I had a cold or infection then I didn't take it on board. It was much later with my current team that they spelled it out.

It significantly reduces your body's ability to fight infection and that can be dangerous.

I did take notice of that in the last few years.

Enbrel was a fantastic drug for me - I went from being in constant pain, and with stiffness that made every movement an effort, to feeling good and that was in 48 hours. I was very reluctant to come off it because in combination with Cyclosporine (Nerol) I felt great. It started to effect my kidneys though so continuing was not worth the risk. A good 12 years on it though

After some trials and tribulation Rituximab is good for me now as well

Wishing you all the best and that when you do have Entanercept it works as well or better than it did for me

Michele

[cindy2002]

I agree with everyone. I was on etanercept for several years. I am currently on Humira and my dose was recently increased to weekly rather than bi-weekly. I would be especially careful (which I see you cancelled) since it's your first dose. Good luck! I did very well during the time I was on it.