etanercept

[oliviagodfreyxx]

hi guys, not really been doing well in terms of medication.

i’ve stopped taking my antidepressants due to weight gain and have come off my methotrexate (25mg) as my stomach couldn’t tolerate the injections and i felt so fatigued and rubbish.

rheumy has suggested etanercept, not looked into it much but if there’s a side effect of weight gain i don’t want it. i cant cope with the lack of confidence and awful body imagine i have at the moment. it’s depressing.

has anyone been on etanercept? i need honest reviews!! i haven’t felt much different not being on my methotrexate and don’t know whether to just take a break from my meds altogether to see how i get on (i only take hydroxychloroquine at the minute)

any advice would be appreciated!

[Hidden]

I’ll be honest etanercept didn’t suit me.. I stress the me. Many many people on here it has been a life saver. Unfortunately as you know we all react differently to these drugs so me saying I put on weight means nothing as a friend of mine lost soooo much weight on it she had to stop. It’s a case of trying and if it’s not for you move on . It’s so bloody difficult x

[Oshgosh]

How are you feeling off the medication ?

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to Oshgosh]

i’ve only been off it for a week so not sure if it’s made a difference yet. i’m not in anymore pain than i usually am but don’t know if it’s too soon to say

[helixhelix]

I have been on it for around 2 years now. Not gained an ounce, and it has controlled my RA with absolutely no side effects. I would say you should give it a go!!.

[kerryhannah]

No weight gain for me and was great for about 3 years and now trying another one x

[Sarahg62]

Worked well for me for 10 years. Only reason I came off it was because of Uveitis. Now on Humira. The only meds that have caused weight gain was prednisolone. Good luck. Hope it works for you.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Sarahg62]

Hi Sarahg62, Please may I ask how you are doing on Humira? Is there a lot of difference in side effects compared to Etancercept? Grateful for your experiences on Humira. Thanks

[Sarahg62 in reply to MJSlide1958]

Hi. I’ve been on Humira for 4 years now, no side effects and has worked well. I find the pen easier to use too.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Sarahg62]

Thanks so much, do you use the pre-filled pen? Did you start on a lower dose first? Is Humira to be injected every two weeks or every week? Grateful for info. Thanks so very much x

[Sarahg62]

Hi. Yes I use a prefilled pen. Very easy. I inject every two weeks and normal dose straight away. Found it worked better then zen rel.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Sarahg62]

Thanks so much Sarahg62. May I also ask is the two week injection a 50mg or more? x

[Sarahg62 in reply to MJSlide1958]

Hi. It’s 40mg.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Sarahg62]

40mg pen injection every two weeks? Do you also take Methotrexate ?mg weekly? Thanks x

[Sarahg62 in reply to MJSlide1958]

Sorry, wasn’t clear. Yes every two weeks. Also on 10 mgs methotrexate a week and one folic acid 6 days a week.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Sarahg62]

So brilliant, and so glad to know you are getting on well. Thanks very much. x