Enbrel Advice

[dbestdeb]

My rheumatologist is trying to get insurance approval to put me on Enbrel. If you've taken it, how did it work for you and what advice can you give me? Did you experience side effects? I'm eager to hear from you, the people who know best about these things. Thank you!

[AgedCrone]

Are you in UK?

[dbestdeb in reply to AgedCrone]

No I live in the United States.

[AgedCrone in reply to dbestdeb]

I just wondered as here in UK most insurance companies don't pay for outpatient drugs ....except for cancer drugs that are approved to be prescribed, but NICE won't approve them on our NHS. Usually on cost grounds.

I hope you get that approval , sounds as if it's a winner over here.

[dbestdeb in reply to AgedCrone]

Here, usually insurance will approve but the copay will be very high. If you aren't very wealthy, the drug company will give you a break on the cost so that treatment is possible. As a retired person on a fixed income I expect to qualify for the aid. We'll see how it plays out. Thank you for your well wishes.

[AgedCrone in reply to dbestdeb]

Do let us know how you get on.

[dbestdeb in reply to AgedCrone]

I will! Thank you so much!

[Jay2]

Enbrel has worked really well for me. I currently don’t suffer any side effects and without it I don’t think I would be anywhere near as mobile as I am on methotrexate alone.

I hope it works - it’s been a life changer for me

[Witness2 in reply to Jay2]

Definitely a life changer when it works. I really hope you get it. Despite some side effects (sinus and headaches in my case - I know people who don't have any whatsoever) it's been the only drug in 36 years to bring me remission. Good luck.

[dbestdeb in reply to Witness2]

Thank you!

[dbestdeb in reply to Jay2]

Thank you for the encouragement! Did it help the fatigue too by chance?

[helenlw7]

I’ve been on Enbrel since 2006,a long with mtx. This combination has been a life saver for me. I haven’t had any side effects. I still have pain and flare ups, but I am able to live a normal life.

[dbestdeb in reply to helenlw7]

Does it help the fatigue too?

[helenlw7 in reply to dbestdeb]

I had really bad fatigue when I was first diagnosed and only have it now when I’m having a flare.

[dbestdeb in reply to helenlw7]

That's very encouraging! Do you think it was the Enbrel that helped? I'm really hoping so. The fatigue is almost worse than the pain for me.

[helenlw7 in reply to dbestdeb]

I couldn’t say for certain, but the combination of Enbrel and Methotrexate certainly works for me.

[Birthdaygirl in reply to dbestdeb]

For me the fatigue was the first thing to go away. Quite quickly too,

BG

[Mandalou]

Take it if you are offered it.

It's a well tolerated effective drug in the majority of cases.

Mx

[Slightly_ginger]

I'm on Humira after Enbrel stopped working for me, but Enbrel was great for me for a long time, and now Humira seems to last a shorter and shorter time every injection. I tend to have a short period of relief with steroids but it seems to be flare up after flare up.

[dbestdeb]

Thanks for the info. I'm so sorry they aren't working well for you anymore. I hope you feel better soon. 💜

[Birthdaygirl]

Hiya

Been injecting enbrel since 2014 after everything else failed and unable to stop erosions or side effects too horrendous.

Like others have already said it has been a life giver.

No side effects other than feeling stronger, well and mobile.

Hospital confirmed I am in remission and RD under control. It also allowed me to stop steroids.

All the very best to you.

BG

[Hobbits]

Hello I have been on Enbrel for a few years. It works great at controlling joint symptoms and morning stiffness is a thing of the past. . The only thing it hasn’t touched is the fatigue and I have burning in hands,wrists and feet.

My Rheumy thinks my fatigue either stems from the Enbrel ( as it lowered your immune system) or from the RA itself which also can cause fatigue. The burning in my peripherals was always believed to be part of RA.

I’m starting to think the fatigue and burning has nothing to do with Enbrel or RA - since Enbrel has controlled my bloods and my joints are ‘great’ it’s odd that the drug sends me into remission yet certain symptoms remain very strong. If I’m in remission then why do my peripherals feel like they are on fire?

Last Rheumy appt. he suggested my symptoms could be caused by my Crohns that I was newly diagnosed with this past March.

It’s true that Crohns can cause terrible fatigue, but the burning doesn’t fit. And more importantly the fatigue and burning started with RA many many years before I developed Crohns.

It’s a bit of a mystery.

I’m my case, no, Enbrel did not help my fatigue at all. But there could be other contributing factors at play and I am having neurological issues

If you have persistent fatigue please get your vitamin levels checked, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 in particular can cause various issues with fatigue

I wish you good luck in Enbrel, it has been a game changer for me!

[dbestdeb in reply to Hobbits]

My first symptom before RA was diagnosed was burning on the bottoms of my feet. I used to carry extra shoes to work so I could change to a different pair when the burning started. Since being dx and treated, the burning is gone. I absolutely believe it is RA related, probably due to the inflammation. Everyone is different where RA is concerned and no two people present the same way. I'm never surprised by new and changing symptoms.

My blood work looks great, until they look at inflammatory markers on the Vectra test. That is why they are adding Enbrel to the azathioprine I already take.

Thank you for your info. Wishing you healthy days ahead!

[Furle]

Hi, Enberel meant Remission for me and I hope it works the same for you.

[dbestdeb in reply to Furle]

Thank you so much. We have more hoops to jump through, as my insurance denied the treatment at this point. I appreciate your encouragement.