I am 52, have rheumatoid arthritis for 15 years, started on embrel 4 years ago, since then i have had an ankle replacement 2007, and now my elbows are so painfull, i am looking at another replacement in both arms. They want to do a knee replacement also. My life is changed, i am so fed up these days. I hardly go out. Pain i have never expperienced so bad in my elbows. Is this embrel? supposed to slow down damage but its made me worse i feel. Can anyone help please? I want to know why all of a sudden, i am hit so bad with this disease.
3/ 9/10 12:51am
Sorry Teresa,
I agree with Rena, sounds like a full blown flare. You may want to ask about changing to a different biologic. I was on Humira for quite some time and ended up switching to Rituxan, the difference was nearly immediate for me. I have the numbness and tingling in my hands and wrists as well. My Rhuemy said it was from inflammation and it is better now on Rituxan. I hope you get some answers at your visit.
Brad
3/ 8/10 2:46am
I am so sorry that you are feeling this way. The pain and aching can drive a person nuts! It sounds to me like you are in the midst of a full blown flare! They are awful! I understand exactly how you feel.
I have trouble with my elbows too. My right one hurts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no breaks. Sometimes, I just want to cut my arm right off! My left elbow aches, but nothing like my right elbow. I have shooting pain and throbbing in it all the time. I have just started on Enbrel, along with my Methotrexate. Hoping for the best.
How about numbness? Do your arms/hands/fingers go numb too? Mine do.
I hope your flare gets better soon. Maybe a trip to your Rheumy would help. Maybe a change in medication is in order. And the coming of Spring will help us all feel better too. Take care of you and know that you have a friend in the trenches with you!!! 
3/ 8/10 1:24pm
Thankyou so much for the quick reply. I am seeing my rheumatologist in the morning, they have managed to get me an urgent appointment, i am on embrel for over 4 years, so i dont think its that.Just all of a sudden i am having a bad bad flare, waiting a knee replacement, as i said already had an ankle replaced. I had such a bad fall last may and they said then, the humerus was fractured, its never healed properly and arthritis is now so bad in my right arm and elbow. Yes i love spring also. Makes you feel better and i can sit on my balcony. I will keep you posted after my visit to hospital tomorrow. Embrel has been good for me, i hope its good for you too.I need a good friend right now and thankyou.
3/10/10 2:36am
I hope your appointment with your Rheumy went well. I hope you can get some relief for you elbows. Immediate relief would be great, Huh? It seems like we RA people have to wait a while before we get any relief from our medications. I hope it goes fast for you! Please keep me posted! Try to get out into the sun. It always makes me feel better to soak up some warm sunshine. 
Take Care of YOU!!!
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By teresa flaherty— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 03/07/10
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