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I started taking Enbrel in March. It took a while to begin to see and feel the effects of my new RA drug. In conjunction with giving myself Methotrexate injections, the Enbrel has visibly reduced swelling in my knuckles and has improved how I feel. I have also been able to reduce my Celebrex from two pills per day to one pill per day. I was allergic to Plaquenil, (broke out in a rash all over), and the Methotrexate alone was just not working. It has taken a few years, but...(knock on wood),...I feel better that I have felt in quite a while. I still ache all over and have numb hands/arms and pain in my feet, but overall, I feel better.
I went to my Rheumatologist and using the new RA criteria, my personal interview and physical examination, he counted my affected joints and based on the criteria, told me that my RA was in remission! YEAH!!!
I hate to say or even type the "R" word. I hope it continues. Now,...I need to focus on losing some weight, while I am feeling better. I have purchased a meditation (suggested by my therapist, to help me deal with chronic pain) and a beginner yoga (for low impact on my joints) DVD. I am going to try to do some low impact stuff for starters. I am not going to do any specific diet, per say. I am going to focus on shrinking my portions and us the food pyramid.
We will see how it goes. Wish me luck, I need all the help I can get. 
. More like flying by the seat of my pants/shooting from the hip stuff!
Wow, thats great! I am actually starting enbrel in about 10 days. I was in a pretty bad flare this last week, ended up at the rheumy's office and she gave me a steroid shot some pain meds and said it was time to start something stronger. I have been on plaquenil, methotrexate, prednisone(low dose) for awhile now and I've had 3 o r4 flares in the last year or so. I am glad to hear it has worked well for you. I am a bit afraid of the biologics as Ish was in an earlier post. There are alot of risks involved. My rheumy said she would reduce the plaquenil and meth and drop the prednisone as a result of starting enbrel. It is good to hear good things about meds especially the BIG ones.
It took a while for the Enbrel to start working for me. I was the same things going on with flares and etc. prior to trying Enbrel. I was also nervous about it as well. I had to get used to the sure click pen and the shot smarts when you to it. It stings pretty good while you are doing it. But, it does not have the effect of making you feel rotten the next day like the Methotrexate does. I also like the fact that I don't have to measure out syringes or worry about bubbles. The Enbrel sure click pen is already loaded and ready to go. So injections are simpler, I think. Plus, then I can just focus on getting past the injection sting and I'm good to go.
Good luck. I hope you do well with the Enbrel. Keep us posted. I've got my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks so much for commenting!