Hi all, I had my appointment with Clinical Nurse this morning at 9.30 ( me, in a car at 8.30 in the morning, that was a feat in its-self !)
My das 28 score was 6.2 this morning and with my last one being 6.1 I've past that part of the criterior. All my blood results are clear, which is good to know, and I had a chest x-ray and feet x-rayed to find out how much damage has been done already. But, the best news is that I've been given the go-ahead for Etanercept (Enbrel).
A nurse will come to my house for the first injection and then I'm on my way I am so hoping that this is going to be positive for me, but I'm not going to worry myself about that. I've noticed that alibonura has a blog on her third injection of Enbrel, so I must read that.
Sylvie, and anyone else who are almost there with their offer of Anti-tnf treatment, I hope you won't be long behind me June xx
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petalnumber2
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Well I'm almost there, summer. I've just got to wait to hear from the nurse who will come and guide me through the first injection. I'm quite relaxed about it thankfully. Hope all is well with you. xxx
I hope so too Sylvie, it has all happened so much quicker than I thought it would, so I hope the same happens for you and you get some blessed relief. xxxx
I've just received the phone call from hah as I had my delivery of enbrel today. My nurse is a coming next Thursday to show me how to do the injections using the auto injector and I'm dreading using the auto injector as I've convinced it's gonna hurt. I did request the prefilled syringes but I needed the prescription quick & my health authority tend to prescribe the auto injector. So I was willing to try it.
Hope it works for us all and we all have pain free joints in the future.
Yes I'm using the pre-filled pen. i was shown one today and given a folder full of info including a dvd to watch, which I've already done. The whole precerure is gone through bit by bit and there's nothing to worry about from what I've seen. You take the cap off the pen and there is a needle shield (so you can't actually see the needle) and you just put the tip of the pen on your leg or tummy firmly, and push the button in which is on the top of the pen, hold it still until you hear a click which tell's you that the pen is empty, and you're done. I'm sure we will both settle down to it OK.
My rheumatolgy clinic supply mine and it is delivered to me by a medical service.
It will be so good to have some relief from pain and stiffness, won't it.
No; once you hear the click, take your thumb off it and then leave depressed into your skin for a good count of three seconds, and this will prevent bubbling and a rash around the site. You'll be able to see from the window in the pen if it's discharged properly. Sorry to sound so clinical! I've been on Enbrel for 3 years now. My RA was so aggressive & this was the only drug that made any difference, and I wouldn't be without it. You will notice a big difference soon x
Thank you Andrea, I didn't explain that properly did I. So glad you sorted it for us. My RA is aggressive too and I hope it works as well for me as it has for you, I can't wait for some relief. x
Good luck June and everyone else on here who is waiting or has just started - it all sounds very positive and I hope you are soon as well as I am presently (off the meds though so it may not last!!) Tilda xx
I am glad to hear you are painfree and well so far. You're on the road now, and I've got all my fingers and toes crossed for you that you stay that way, well in my mind I have anyway.
Thankyou Alison, I hope it all goes well on Monday and you get started too. There are a few of us on the same path which is good to know. Can't wait to feel some benefit, can you? Good luck. Love June xx
i had my 3rd Enbrel yesterday, ive got to say ive been feeling so much better, ok so it stings a little but hey that few seconds of stinging is well worth it im feeling very positive at the mo
( sssshhhhhh) must be careful never like to take the positive feelings for granted but when i feel it i want to tell the world lol
good luck with the Enbrel pls let us all know how the 1st one go's
Thankyou, for letting me know how well your 3rd Enbrel went yesterday, not wanting to tempt fate of course, say no more !!
It's 1.45 am and here I am on my laptop, I forgot to take my painkillers before bed and my feet are screaming at me, so painkillers and a tiny drop of brandy have gone down gently! I don't do that often, but so desperate to sleep.
I've got to get myself out of bed at 6am to get my other half sorted, dressed and on his way to diaysis. Then I will be able to get back into bed for a couple more hours or so or perhaps even for longer, we shall see Anyway, can't wait to start on my injections and hopefully ........... June xxx
Wow Janet, Australia. I have never considered that there are those of you who do not live on these shores until chatting with swissmiss in Switzerland during the last few days. Well, it's good to know you might be there during my night!
I have two nieces in Australia, one is in Melbourne and has Australian nationality now. The other niece is in Sydney with her boyfriend, they are coming home for their wedding in July, a big family get together Lol. I hope enbrel is going to help me be more comfortable by then !! This is your night now, so I hope you are having a restful one. Take care, June xxxx
It's so great to hear your good news Andy, it's very encouraging and good to know what a difference it has made to you life
I'm not worried about injecting because it's only once a week and I've been used to seeing my other half inject insulin 4 times a day, for many years. ( but if it become a doddle ) what more could I ask !!
Great news Petal! I shall hopefully be there too, in three weeks after a dental appointment (root canal) and antibiotics. Had all my bloods done and Mantoux and xrays in the last two weeks. Got all my folders of info etc and just have to tell the nurse I have chosen Enbrel on Monday. I had already qualified/ been approved for anti TNF - either Enbrel Humira or Simponi. It is just a matter of registering me with which one I have been told. Wish I could start now, but it would be daft to do so for three weeks, then come off it for the tooth etc.
Andrea, I am so glad you give such encouraging news. Glad you are feeling so good on it. My RA is very crazy at the moment and I am afraid it is too much for anything to help it but I guess that it why we have the anti TNFs to deal with that. I so want it to work quickly.
I look forward to hearing how it all goes and of course I shall report on mine when it happens.
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I am so hoping that this is going to be positive for me, but I'm not going to worry myself about that. I've noticed that alibonura has a blog on her third injection of Enbrel, so I must read that. 
Started Enbrel syringe injections twice a week
Methotrexate injection
Started Rituximab today
I have the cold from hell, and I'm missing medications because of it
Sounds daft but how do you know when the treatment is working!
