Allergic to Enbrel
April 25th I took my first injection of Enbel, May 2nd the 2nd, On May 9th the day I was to take my 3rd injection I woke up with hives over 85% of my body. I called my rhemy and he put me on 60mg of prednizone with a 2 day taper down. May 10th more hives, May 11th I started having trouble breathing (thought it might be seasonal allergies, luckily hubby had an inhaler). My regular rhemy appt was may 14th I went to the office early because I was having such a difficult time breathing, he took me in early. He listened to my lungs and called an ambulance, while I was waiting he gave me breathing treatment. In the ER they gave me a shot of steroids, more breathing treatments and ran tests. I was sent home with scripts for prednizone, inhaler and a epipen.I am also a diet controlled diabete needless to say the predizone made my blood sugar very unstable (548) off to the ER again. I want people to know that you can get delayed severe allergic reaction to this drug. The DRS always say if it would happen it would come in a couple of days. So not true !! I have been on Plaquneil and MX without any results. I can not take the chance of trying another TNF blocker. I also have heart diease. Would like to know what other drugs anyone has tried. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Ginny
Ginny,
I had the exact same thing happen to me when I took Enbrel. And, it didn't happen until the 4th shot. Terrible hives to the point of making my arms and legs bleed. It also happened with Humira. My doc thinks I may have an allergy to TNF blockers. But, it's been about 18 months since all of that I did talk him into letting me try Simponi and so far, so good. Been about 3 weeks since my injection and no problems. I've tried just about everything else and either I get hives or my liver goes whacky. Do I really understand what you are saying about not wanting to try the TNF blocker but I am desperate to find something I can stay on that will work. I hope things get better for you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed with this Simponi...
Donna
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I'm so sorry you had this experience and I want to thank you for posting it - it's valuable information.
You don't necessarily have to close the door on all TNF blockers - I know someone who had an allergic reaction to Humira, but did well on Enbrel. Although they're both TNF blockers, Enbrel is made from mouse cells, but Humira is made from human cells, so you may not be allergic to that. Have a chat with your rheumatologist - there might be options for you.
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Ginny
Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Thank you for your answer. I'm too scared now to try another TNF blocker, my Rhemy said it is made from different stuff, but who knows what I was actually allergic to. I am on Avara now and giving that a chance it's a daily pill. I'm not ready to take a chance, May was the worst month of my life.
Ginny
Donna,Thank you for your answer, My Rhemy wanted me to try Humira because it is made with different stuff, but I'm too scared right now. He put me on Arava it's a daily pill, only been 5 days so it's a wait and see. He said it is similar to MX which I took for 9 months but was so sick to my stomach. He said this shouldn't happen and it hasn't, but like I said it's only been 5 days, keeping my fingers crossed. The MX did take my symtoms away, but couldn't deal with the sick feeling anymore.
I've never heard of Simponi, hope it works for you.
Ginny