I have a red sore spot on my chest that is sore and itches. It has been there for at least a week
9/12/08 3:05pm
Enbrel, as Remicade and Humira, is a TNF blocker and TNF stands for Tumor Necrosis Factor. Because the medication suppresses the immune system and because of which part of the immune system it specifically suppresses, an increased rate of certain cancers has been associated with this type of medication. This means that you and your doctor need to be a bit more vigilant and doing annual tests/examinations for specific cancers is a good idea - e.g., Pap smear, mole check, mammogram if you're over 40. As well, women should make sure they know how to do breast self-examination and do that monthly.
The red, itchy patch you describe on your chest does not sound like skin cancer to me. The reason I feel fairly comfortable saying that is that I was on Enbrel for two years and had red, itchy patches everywhere. As far as I can tell, partly because Enbrel can dry you out and partly because in me, the medication sent my histamine response through the roof, which meant I got very sensitive to any allergen. I would especially get these patches in places where my clothes rubbed against my skin. It drove me nuts, but for a long time, the benefits of Enbrel outweighed the itch. Get yourself a really good moisturizer (I've tried many and Aveeno works best for me) and drink lots of water to hydrate from within.
However, I am not a doctor, so just to be absolutely sure, make an appointment with your doctor so s/he can take a look at it. I'm pretty sure you don't have to worry, but it's best to be safe and get an expert's opinion.
7/ 2/09 2:59pm
I didn't quit the TNF drugs - I have fibromyalgia and Enbrel gave me extreme muscle spasms, so I switched to HumiraI'd have been on that for 2 1/2 years now. I still have some skin issues like a few patches of extremely itchy red bumps, but nothing like I had with Enbrel. As you, I also have stomach issues for 1-2 days after my shot, but for me, the benefits of this drug vastly outweighs side effects. I wrote a post last year about managing side effects and you might find a couple of helpful tips in there.
We all must decide for ourselves what risks we are willing to take to have a life in which we can function. For me, the risks and side effects I experience with Humira are worth it. I can live my life again and after a long period in which I couldn't, I got some perspective on what I was willing to do to get that back. I would suggest that you discuss this with you rheumatologist. It's entirely possible that you may do well on a combination of that and prednisone. Depending on the severity of your illness, you may also find that you need what I call the "big drugs" like Humira. Your rheumatologist will be able to give you the kind of information you need to make the decision that's best for you. Good luck!
7/ 2/09 7:49pm
Thanks for your response, that helps. I seem to get vast relief from pain and increased energy and flexibility for about a week or so after I inject Humira. (only 2 injections in past month). The intestinal stuff is awful but, like you said, only for a day or so. I will just plan my life not to be in a car or plane during that time:) For me, they determined that Enbrel wasn't working well enough and I should switch to Humira. (My eyes had turned very blood shot on the Enbrel and the skin issues). I was late onset for all of this so they never really diagnosed me for a long time. ( 5 plus years) and kept telling me it was "just osteoarthritis" and sending me to physical therapy and injecting me with steroids locally. Then, this past Dec. I became partially paralyzed, ached in arms and neck and didn't get better on prednisone for a month, was sick on and off and in a lot of pain. First they said it was PMR ( I"m 60 y.old) Finally, taken to the emergency room, they did an MRI and told the Rheums that I had RA because of all the hot spots in my arms. The blood test for RA was never positive. I have late onset, negative blood test RA. One other question, does Humira ever make your toes and feet feel hot or a burning sensation that lasts a few seconds? I am trying to sort out symptoms from side effects of Humira. My Rheum nurse practitioner is great but she doesn't give me direct answers about the side effects. Also, did you ever take plaquenol?
Thanks.
7/ 3/09 7:56pm
I did take Paquinil a long time ago, but not long enough for it to work one way or another. It's been so long that I've forgotten why I quit. I've heard it work well for many users on the site, but different medication work differently for different people and it's impossible to predict what may work for well for you.
One of the side effects of Humira is described as "warmth" and I remember about half an hour after my very first shot feeling a rush of warmth move through my body. I don't have that quite as drastically anymore, but occasionally do get temperature weirdness like cold or sometimes hot at different points in my body. Do you get the burning sensation in relation to your shot or does it happen randomly? You may get better answers by contacting the Humira support program and the Humira website has a PDF file with all kinds of information about humor, including side effects (although I didn't see warmth listed as one of the side effects there.
One thing, though. When I was at Enron, I develop neurological side effects, primarily muscle pain related to my fibromyalgia, but eventually also certain temperature issues like my legs feeling ice cold although they weren't cool to the touch. That's the point where I switched. TNF blockers can at times have neurological side effects, but I'm not at all sure if what you describe is that. It may be the warmth thing or it may not be related to Humira at all. Depending on how often it happens, I would recommend that you talk to your family doctor or rheumatologist about it and if your nurse practitioner isn't giving you the answers you need, insist on seeing your doctor.
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By norene— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 09/12/08
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Why did you quit the TNF drugs? I was on Enbrel and now Humira and I have odd skin stuff, diarrhea for 24 hrs after I inject. I have read all the scary stuff and am wondering if I should just go off all this. What do you use now? I was on methotrexate but my hair started to fall out and then I couldn't drink. I looked awful too. I take low dose of prednisone and am thinking that I might just try that for awhile and maybe some drug called plaquenal.