Do you all have good days? Everyone talks about good days and bad days and I just feel the same level of constant nagging pain constantly with no relief, no acute pain like it was 14 months ago but since then it seems to be persistent. It does get worse sometimes but I don't notice it getting better enough to then see a day as a good day. Haven't been comfortable since August 08 so going on Enbrel now. :)
1/10/10 9:27pm
Enbrel has been a miracle medication for many, including myself - I didn't really know what a good day was until I started the Biologics, so I hope it works very well for you, too.
Keep in mind that any possible damage-related pain you have will still be around after your RA gets controlled and unfortunately, short of joint replacement, there's not much you can do about that. However, painkillers should be able to take care of it and just being rid of the RA-related pain can make you feel so much better.
Good luck! Please let us know how it goes?
1/11/10 12:05pm
Living with a chronic illness is not for the faint of heart, but it sounds as if your doctor is a good one and that's very important. If you're worried about trying Enbrel because it's one of the "big drugs", check out a post I wrote called Better Living through Chemistry about making the decision to choose a big drugs.
I'm pretty sure we all go through that anxiety when going on a new medication, but once you've taken the leap and it (hopefully) is working well for you, it'll be worth it.
1/12/10 11:32am
Thank you, I went through vaguely the same thought process before saying yes to the nurse and it's comforting to know i'm not alone. My doc is okay, glad she's finally accepted I need something new. It was worth it for you and so many others on here, makes me feel braver.
1/ 9/10 12:15am
Hi Brooke,
I'm 32, female and I live in Australia..I do have good days, but then I have been seeing a really good specialist and have been put on 3 strong medicines that I think are working! My specialist says I will be staying on this strong stuff (Methotrexate, Steriods and Plaquenil) for about 6 months and then hopefully I will go into a "Remission" period where I will feel reduced pain ...its working! The medicines CAN have side effects, but I've managed to dodge most of them.
I'm sorry I can't say much more than that - I know how debilitating constant pain can be and how you just want to turn into a slug on the couch. My advice is get a good specialist, keep asking questions and this website is really helpful too - its cheered me up and given me hope alot. Hang in there and if you want to chat feel freeeeee
) West Australian
1/ 9/10 2:06pm
Hi Brooke....
I'm sorry to hear your in such pain. I'm always in some sort of pain whether I have a good day or a bad day. I have Fibromyalgia as well as Sjogren's Syndrome, Sero-Negative RA, and a degenerative back. My back causes me more pain than anything else though.
Are you taking anything for your pain?
I know it's hard to enjoy things when you have nagging pains all the time. I make candles at home, and just standing for awhile gets very painful not to mention annoying. I have to sit down for 15 minutes, get back up, and then finish what I was doing.
I know how hard it is. I've tried several pain medications, but the ones that could have helped me, I'm allergic. Wouldn't you know it? Puts me in a rock and a hard spot. I do take Talwin NX which is about the only one left that I seem to tolerate.
Well, I hope your feeling better, and I wish you all the luck with your pain and your medications!
*Scryingeyes*
1/11/10 11:44am
Hi, I take co-dydramol but it doesn't offer much help, every time i've been back the doctor's have tried different things such as physio and different doses and that's what's led to enbrel now. I wouldn't mind some stronger painkillers but on the other hand I don't really like taking too many drugs, it's difficult to balance as i'm sure you know!
Being allergic is really unfortunate, I really hope something that offers you more relief comes up, good luck and thank you for your kind wishes.
1/ 9/10 4:16pm
Ups and downs seem to be the norm with RA. Such a long time of suffering warrants a change in treatment which it sounds like you're doing with Enbrel. Many find a renewed level of energy and less pain after going on a biological medication like Enbrel. I hope that you find this to be the case. And be patient, it may take weeks to months for the Enbrel to kick in full strength.
Andrew
http://livingwithra.wordpress.com/
1/11/10 11:47am
Renewed energy levels would be great, even ups and downs would be great I think it's the monotony that's getting to me at the moment! Patience is one thing I have in abundance and i'm completely dedicated to giving this the best possible go. Thank you for replying.
3/12/10 10:58pm
i just gave myself my second shot of enbrel today, so it's new to me. so far, i don't feel any differently - or better - and i am taking it in conjunction with methotrexate, prednisone and folic acid. i was hoping that enbrel would be my miracle drug and that by taking it, i could get off all that other junk i am taking.
3/20/10 12:18pm
That's what I thought! Oh well, one day!!
3/ 9/10 3:50pm
Yes, and good months. My history is 7 years diagnosed RA (seropositive, erosive, nodular ra - as my dr says). had some bad winters, finally went on humira. I did that for 7 months and then eliminated all medication (sulindac, hydroxychloroquine, humira). I would say I have had a nice ride... 8 months now! after 6 years of popping pills and then injections I have loved it! but I think it's time to start something back up. Not bad, but just nagging. I will also say I had some good success with Metho, but I liked my cocktails more:)
3/11/10 3:33am
I know exactly how you are feeling. I myself am waiting for the "good days" to come rolling in. I just started Enbrel a couple of weeks ago. No improvement yet, but hopefully. Good luck to you and keep us posted on how you are doing!
3/11/10 9:21am
Took my sixth yesterday and no luck as of yet. Fingers crossed for both of us, let us know if it works for you, it sounds like we're in the same boat. Thanks for replying :) x
3/20/10 2:45am
I just did my 5th shot. Nothing yet. How about you? I've got my fingers crossed too! Good Luck and Take Care of You! 
3/20/10 12:17pm
I've done seven with nothing to show but huge ugly itchy site reactions haha Do you get those?? Fingers crossed for you
3/21/10 4:37pm
So far I have only had dime sized red spots and one ugly bruise about the size of a ping pong ball. My rheumy told me that site area reactions would occure and that red hive like areas the size of a dime up to the size of a grapefruit were OK. I am thinking a grapefruit sized red hive like spot is pretty huge but, I guess not.
I haven't noticed any changes yet. I did get out in my yard yesterday and even burned some tree prunings and stumps. I expected to feel like "death warmed over" today, but I don't. I am stiff and sore. I do ache but that is normal. Other than that, I don't feel to bad. I expected a day on the couch, but am pleasantly surprised! I'm hoping that this is due to the Enbrel shots. I don't know if this is wishful thinking/hoping or if it is really true. I'll have to give it some more time and see.
How are you feeling? Are you seeing any improvement yet? How about physical activities? Any improvement there? Or in the aftermath of the physical activities? Got my fingers crossed for you! Hoping all goes well and you get to feeling better. 
3/21/10 7:50pm
That sounds really promising, I really hope it is it starting to work!
I didnt get any to start with and then they got worse and the last two have been about the size of the palm of my hand and red swollen and itchy with darker red/purple patch in the centre, and i agree it sounds like a problem. It was strange though, because of the size i spoke to someone and she said, they're perfectly harmless, try antihistamine cream and if the don't work we'll have to take you off them, bit of a contradiction!
I don't really know, I think I 'm just the same, maybe a little less fatigued sometimes but to counterbalance that I've had a few days where I can't stay awake!
Do you ever start to think it might not be worth the risks? I know that the statistics are in our favour but it has to happen to somebody!
3/21/10 11:27pm
I do wonder if it is worth it sometimes. The medication we take have so many side effects. I wonder about quantity of life versus quality of life. It is a risk.
3/12/10 10:55pm
I am wondering the same thing!! I want good days too, but all I have are just-get-by-days and I am taking alot of medications! I have the same persistent pain that u do and i am wondering if taking all these meds are worth it...
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By Brooke— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 01/07/10
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Luckily I don't seem to have any joint damage, at least none visible to xray and none found by MRI on my back, because of this fact and the nearly normal blood tests doctors are a little confused but we're pushing on with the Enbrel anyway in the hope it's my miracle drug too. Hope you're doing well and I will be here often in the coming months updating I think. I'm little short of terrified!