After using Embrel for 5 wks. last yr. my husband developed a serious life threatening pneumonia which required extensive hospitalization and surgery to "peel his lung". He of course discontinued use. Embrel was a miracle drug for him and he had almost instant relief of his ankylosing spondilitis symptoms. It was a great disappointment to discontinue Embrel. He has decided to give it another try but at half dose. So far, no epiphany after 2 wks. what are the chances of developing another life threatening infection again? Are the percentages really high for Embrel users, or was it just bad luck the first time? Also, will it take longer this time because of the lower dose to see any improvement?
Q: After using Embrel for 5 wks. last yr. my husband developed a serious life threatening pneumonia
Answers (3)
5/ 8/09 12:27pm
Just a little addition - your husband may want to talk to his doctor about having regular chest x-rays as a preventative measure. If there is significant scarring in his lungs, your husband will likely be somewhat more sensitive to developing chest infections, although none of us are doctors here, so it's hard for us to say for sure. I would recommend that your husband discusses this in more detail with his doctor. Knowing the facts, knowing the risks and having regular checkups will help the two of you feel less anxious about this.
5/ 6/09 2:41pm
It will take longer to see results. It is highly possible that he will develop the pneumonia again. He will need to take much better care of himself if he's going to stay on Enbrel. His lungs are damaged from the first pneumonia so he's got to be very careful.
5/ 7/09 1:17pm
I have had Rheumatoid arthritis for over 15 years. My new rheumy started me on Humira. I had been taking it a year to the day and was admitted to the hospital. Test showed i had asthma, copd with bromcitis, and severe pneumonia. I was in the hospital for a month, thank God i didn't have to have surgery. I was a smoker and haven't smoked since Nov 08. I finally went back to my rheumatologist and he put me back on the humira. Been taking it since Jam 09 so time will tell. The last chest xray showed my lungs were really scared to where the resulys were inconclusive and nable to be read.
Good luck to your husband, i went to the lung doc last week and everything looks good so far. I have really never had any breathinh problems in the past.
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By Lynn Lieurance— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 05/05/09
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