Etanercept, rare side effects.

[Mall]

I have been taking etanercept (enbrel/Benapali) for around 4 years. I have been experiencing spells of dizziness in the last month diagnosed by my Gp as movement related vertigo. I mentioned this during a routine appointment with my rheumatologist and as precautionary measure I have been referred for an MRI brain scan as a rare side effect of etanercept is a form of brain damage with an indicator being dizziness. I am sure it is my inner ears causing the problem but I wondered if any one else has come across this side effect of etanercept.

[Matilda7]

Since going onto Biologics, first Enbrel, now Humira, I have developed visual disturbances which are thought to be optical migraines. My sight is now permanently affected and I also have acute attacks. I have filled in a yellow card and been referred first to ophthalmologists and now to neurologists

[Eiram50]

Hi

I take etanercept and always feel lightheaded when in my feet. Usually when out and about, my daughter links atms with me and increasingly she will say to me "mum, you're drifting!" I seem to always veer to the left . It's just another thing in the ever long list I've not seen to yet!

[Hidden in reply to Eiram50]

That's very interesting. I do that increasingly but I don't have RA and I don't take any meds. I found this article that may be interesting:

telegraph.co.uk/news/scienc...

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[Eiram50 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Beverley!

[keeta]

Didn.t know that .but very interesting

[Sugarle]

Hi mall

I was diagnosed with ra 3 years ago but have had ME and fibromyalgia for over 20 years.

I have had that weird dizziness that mimics vertigo since I was diagnosed with ra. I was on methotrexate at that time. I seen an ent specialist and was tested for vertigo but he said it comes from instability in the joints usually in the feet. I have had ear pain for years and sinus trouble. I now have to wear hearing aids as the inflammation has damaged the small bones inside my ears. Just wondering if you may have something similar

[Mall]

Hi there. I had a scan as a precautionary measure due to dizziness caused by brain damage being a rare side of etanercept. Fortunately it wasn't this. The medics put it down to vertigo. The dizziness did subside. I have tinnitus and slight loss of hearing. No one has mentioned my feet or RA being a cause of the dizziness. It is interesting what you have been told and something to take note of.