The BIG Decision

TamMae is recovering from overdoing it yesterday. Plan B day Living With It Married, living with RA for many years. I am 41 years old, and have been married for 15 years. I've had RA... Send Message Subscribe: TamMae

Thursday, April 23, 2009
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So, thanks to happening upon this site last night in my quest for more info on the TNF-inhibitors, I have made my decision. Next week when I go to my rheumy, I'm going to ask for Enbrel. He's probably going to pass out. Seriously, though, I am going to present my reasoning thus far,...

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Laura
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 03:21 PM

Good for You!! It is so refreshing to hear you be so positive! I'm glad you've decided to get started on Enbrel and I'm sure you will find positive results!

You said, "Don't give up HOPE" and that is the one thing I have been telling other to never let go of. There is always hope and I believe that there will be a cure someday!

Thanks for sharing your story with us and being so encouraging as well!

I hear ya and hope you find relief SOON! You deserve it!!!
Surf's Up!
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 04:57 PM

Wow. You have had a long go of this disease. I can only speak about my situation. I have taken 6 Enbrel shots and take 1000 mg Naproxen a day. So far, so good. Slight reaction at the injection site (red patch, itching, some bruising for a day but not bad). I have RA in my feet and hands. This stuff took away most of the pain but can take up to 3 months to take full effect. It is very expensive, so check with your insurance. The Enbrel pharmaceutical company (Amgen/Wyeth) has an assistance plan, so your 1st 6-months might be free to you (insurance only). Also, you mentioned a physician in VA. If you don't get the results you want or want a 2nd opinion, my rheumy is Dr. Stephen Schechter in Bethesda, MD. Very nice and very informed. I hope all goes well for you! Keep us posted. :)

Taking Enbrel
Cat Lover
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 06:26 PM

I was taking Enbrel for about 3 years and it works very well! I have severe case of RA. It has since stopped working for me... so I am starting on Humira. Both take about 2 weeks to 3 months to be effective, it depends on your body. The only caution I can give is be very careful of infections, Flu's, colds, cuts, etc. Just stop for a week or two or whatever your doctor says. I didn't have any side effects. It worked great for along time. Go for it!

But thanks to you I am going to pursue a pain management doctor, I have been thinking about it for awhile. So thank you very much!

Denise

re: Taking Enbrel
TamMae
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 08:57 PM

Thanks for your input, Denise. I really appreciate it. And I'm glad you're going to see a pain specialist. After going to one and seeing how much they empathize and help, I am surprized that rheumatologists don't recommend we go to them right away when someone continues to deal with chronic pain and can't get relief through the regular means they offer. After reading so many posts on this site, (and considering my own situation for the last several years...) it is just a SHAME. It can be a little rough at first because there is a certain stigma that goes with using strong pain meds if you aren't dying of cancer...but all severe pain is debilitating, and when one does the research, pain meds really aren't as scary as much of the other stuff we need to take to get through. So GOOD FOR YOU! You will be so glad you did once you can sleep through the night, and do some of the normal things in life!!!!

re: re: Taking Enbrel
Cat Lover
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 09:01 PM

I will call on Monday! Thanks for the encouragement!