Entanercept?

[LauraAsheighh]

Does anyone else have side effects with etanercept eg, stretch marks randomly on side of hips, bad cough at night and really bad headaches like can last for days sometimes, just want to know bit more thanks.

[magglen]

I haven't had any adverse symptoms with Etanercept. Only prob I have is having to pee 2hrly through the night but think that is due to the Leflunomide I also take.

Have you tried stopping the Etanercept for a couple of weeks to see if you are any better?

I have stopped it for up to 4 weeks when I had to have some dental treatment and there were no ill effects. Are you on anything else as well? Do hope it is not the Etanercept as it is such a great medication. Do get in touch with your consultant ASP xx

[Hidden]

no, sorry I don't have any side effects on this; I agree with magglen that you need to contact your Consultant. Is it working for you otherwise?

[LauraAsheighh in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I am going to contact gp, was just seeing if anyone else had this I also have methotrexate aswell same day as etanacept, and can't stop meds as will have bad flares.

[Hidden]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the methotrxate rather than entanercept; also, my RA nurse told me not to take them on same day, but 48hours apart??

I came of methotrexate for 7 weeks and still felt great, even better in fact than when I was on it, started back on it this week although with an attitude as I felt better without it!!lol

[LauraAsheighh in reply to Hidden]

Did you take yourself of it, they say I should stay on it for a year the most as it runs along side the etanercept but my dad is not happy me being on it aswell as the etanercept.

I came off methotrexate once before and I had bad flares and could barely walk so wasn't the greatest idea, but now I'm on etanercept maybe something to think about.

[Hidden in reply to LauraAsheighh]

Hello again,

My consultant told me to come of as my White cell count kept dropping and was having continious infections as a result, he told me to go back on MTX when cell count improved.

I started entanercept last August along with 20mg MTX, by December I was 80% better, then Feb this year I was even better 90% so was told to drop to 15mg.....

When my bloods started showing the drop in White cell count I reduced it further myself to 10mg and on my next visit my Consultant supported my decision and suggested we drop it to 7.5mg; he did explain that studies do show that entanercept works better with MTX however they are unsure why or at what dosage; he said rather than come off altogether that on my next visit he may reduce the frequency of entanercept instead.

Gosh, I hope I'm making sense!!

I will be seeing my nurse in a couple of weeks and intend to tell het how yucky the MTX has made me feel again; I did worry being off the MTX and the thought of flaring again however it wasn't until I started back on it this week that I realised how horrid it makes you feel; it's a gamble and one I'm not sure I'm prepared for yet, if I didn't have a toddler to care for then I would take that chance.....maybe!!

Let us know how you get on.

[parkie]

Hi Laura, I've been on Etanercept for 18 weeks and so far have only had a rash on my legs, that didn't itch or irratate, saw my GP who confirmed it and she showed me the list of side effects and there was loads. I hope you get it sorted. Take care Ann