Enbrel

[Aurora]

I have been on Enbrel for a month now for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, 2 50mg injections a week. I am now experiencing injection site reactions that are quite large...the size of a standard envelope. The areas are red, raised and itchy. Has anyone else had a similar reaction? My derm does not seem too concerned but I wanted to get the input first hand from other enbrel users. How long before these reactions went away? Any tips on how to lessen the redness and itching?

I am also not totaly convinced that this is the cure for me...I have not been much inprovement in my skin the last month but my arthritis pain has subsided in my back and fingers. How long before results were evident on skin? Any input or other experiences would be extreamly helpful. Thanks so much!!

[Max Cohen]

I am in my third month of shots twice a week for Psoriasis and other than being a bit smoother it is still there. I'm disappointed to date with the treatment. Max

[Aurora]

Max, I am disappointed on my results with Enbrel also, my doctor, after 3 1/2 months on the drug has now taken me off. I saw zero improvement with my skin. We may be the 50% that is said to have no effect on. I felt it was quite intrusive for the lack of results.
Humira and Raptiva were other options, but I have opted out of both and decided to try NB UVB. I have had four treatments and already see improvements in my skin...a relief finally! What other treatments have you tried?

Aurora

[Aaron J]

I have been on enbrel approximately 6 months now. I started with 2-50mg shots per week for about 6 weeks then reduced dose to 1 shot per week. I had significant improvement in skin, at times there are actualy no plaques where there once were large thick patches.
I also had site injection reactions as many have had, which i overcame by rotating where i injected. I would do one in stomach, next one in upper front of one leg, and the next one in my upper arm. Each new shot ild change spots also, if last stomach one was on right side , ild use left side this time, same with legs and arms. That seemed to rid my injection site reactions.
My only concern is that i have had a constant problem iwth a sinus infection, causing fluid behind my ear drums. Have been through 3 doses of antibiotics and still no relief,,actually worsening to severe ear aches. Hopefully the ENT Dr. can help me there tomorrow.
Good luck to everyone trying it,, it took mine around 2.5 months to see drastic change, by 4 months most was completely gone!
--Aaron

[Kellie]

I have been on Enbrel for 7months. I fine it makes me tired the next day. I have no site reaction. I feel so much better. I have rhmitoid. I take 50 mil. every week.

I just pray they don't find out it to caused cancer.

[Vanbiervliet Willy B]

Hi i've been using enbrel for the last tree moths my small psoriasis plaques have completely dissapeared on that periode but my artrites remained the same ,now i'm back to my old medication ,according to the prof who's treating me i'm an only case who doesn't respond to enbrel i have serious doubts that i'm the only guy who doesn't respond to this treatment !
Greets from Belgium

Aurora wrote:

I have been on Enbrel for a month now for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, 2 50mg injections a week. I am now experiencing injection site reactions that are quite large...the size of a standard envelope. The areas are red, raised and itchy. Has anyone else had a similar reaction? My derm does not seem too concerned but I wanted to get the input first hand from other enbrel users. How long before these reactions went away? Any tips on how to lessen the redness and itching?
I am also not totaly convinced that this is the cure for me...I have not been much inprovement in my skin the last month but my arthritis pain has subsided in my back and fingers. How long before results were evident on skin? Any input or other experiences would be extreamly helpful. Thanks so much!!

[Vanbiervliet Willy B]

Max Cohen wrote:

I am in my third month of shots twice a week for Psoriasis and other than being a bit smoother it is still there. I'm disappointed to date with the treatment. Max

Hi i've been using enbrel for the last tree moths my small psoriasis plaques have completely dissapeared on that periode but my artrites remained the same ,now i'm back to my old medication ,according to the prof who's treating me i'm an only case who doesn't respond to enbrel i have serious doubts that i'm the only guy who doesn't respond to this treatment !
Greets from Belgium

[Larry]

I have been on Enbrel for 1 month. I have seen drastic improvement to my skin. I really don't need to use any creams on my body to hide psoriasis. It has been amazing.

The improvement to my psoratic arthritis has also been great.

I rotate my injections and the only side effect I tend to get is fatigue.

[John]

Is it ok to drink Alcahol if i am on Embrel?

[John]

Is it ok to drink Alcahol if i am on Enbrel?

[Judy]

It's 5 day's after my 2nd shot of Enbrel. I have a site reaction from Friday's shot. About 2 inches wide, red, raised, burns and itchy. Simotaneously also appeared a reaction on the other leg from the 1st injection - which was a week and a half ago and now there is a reaction there too. Odd how it didn't appear on the 1st leg until I gave the shot in the other one. Anyway, just like to know what to put on it for the itching!

[Roseann L]

I am in my 6th month of using Enbrel. I started with two 50mg shot per week and have just reduced to 1 short per week. I am not able to wear shorts, skirts and a bathing suit in public. After the second month I had a site reaction that lasted 3 days. I called Enliven Services and the nurses there are wonderful. They told me to be sure to wipe the tip of the needle with the alcohol swab before injecting myself and to try icing the area before and after the shot. Of course you should alternate left to right side for each shot. For the site reaction I used OTC Benedryl cream and was cleared up in a few days. Following their suggestions I never had a reaction again. I am definitely having a problem with sinus infections and fluid in my ears. I have now had three sinus infections in a row with a large white spot on my throat that fades away a comes back with each new infection. Three different antibiotics have not helped much. I recently decided that I needed to improve my immune system, and began drinking Dan Active a few times a day. I actually feel better, and my sinus infection seems to be getting better.
I will say that now that I am down to one shot a week, I notice small patches are coming back on my elbows. The doctor gave me Taclonex cream to apply 2x a day and this helps. Enbrel has been a wonder drug for me. I do have large dark areas where the psoriassis was, but even this is better than what I had before. Dropping down to one shot a week does unfortunately bring back the bone pain that makes sleeping difficult.
Please call the Enliven nurses. They document every problem I have had and file it with the FDA. They have great suggestions and ideas and supplies to send you for free.

[sally]

I have been on Enbel since Jan. of 06 with no problems until my last injection which caused the top of both hands to swell with fluid as well as my forearms front and back. It set off a flair that has been coursing thru my body for two weeks. I never had any injection site problems and did not with this last injection. I feel I had an alletrgic reaction to the shot. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

[Roseann]

Please call Enliven Services (support for Enbrel users) they have nurses on call 8am-11pm seven days a week.
They are really nice and will give you advice about your reaction. They can also give you general advice and will inform the FDA of your reaction.

[Bernadette]

I have been fighting psoriassis for long time. I consider myself very blessed, because the most efected area is on my legs and arms. I was using devonex and ultravate. Did not help much. Now doctor put me on Taclonex. It is a relatively new drug, so I am willing to try. I am affraid of injections, so I am trying anything, but Enbrel. Anyone is using Taclonex? What about the results?

[Roseann NY]

Hi Bernadette, I too have psoriasis - 22 years now - I'm afraid of injections - the side effects really scare me. I've pretty much have been using the same creams as you. They seem to control it but it doesn't go away. I find in the summer when I get tan it clears up much better but now with the weather getting colder it has gotten inflammed again. I'm using the Taclonex now but like I said it only controls it - the redness and flakes go away and my skin feels a little smoother but I still can't wear short sleeves or skirts. You should also try sugar scrubs - I get them at Bath & Body Works. It really makes my skin feel nice and smooth. Does anyone have tips for the face. I get a couple of small patches on my cheek and above my eyebrow and use elidel but it doesn't help. And waht about the scalp. I get a patch here or there on my scalp too. It's annoying and controls my life. Any tips would be great. Thanks.

Bernadette wrote:

I have been fighting psoriassis for long time. I consider myself very blessed, because the most efected area is on my legs and arms. I was using devonex and ultravate. Did not help much. Now doctor put me on Taclonex. It is a relatively new drug, so I am willing to try. I am affraid of injections, so I am trying anything, but Enbrel. Anyone is using Taclonex? What about the results?

[Terry in Canada]

I was prescribed Enbrel by my rheumatoligist three years ago. I am 66 years old. I started doing two injections per week. I have Ankylosing Spondilitis which is similar to RA. Also have some psoriasis.

The day I took the first shot I was in real pain from the AS. In fact for the previous three years I had, after reacting badly to chronic anti-inflammatory use, been unable to really function. No golf or exercise, even walking was a real test. The day after I took that first shot the pain subsided and by the second day I was mobile again. Since then I walk eighteen holes of golf three times a week and spend an hour or so most days in a gym doing strenuous exercise on a tread mill, mat or exercise bike.

After using Enbrel on a twice weekly basis for about six months I reacted badly with extreme sinus problems which nothing seemed to help. So I cut down to one shot a week. Still good relief from the SA but sinus infection continued so I tried it once every two weeks. Eventually I found out I only needed a shot once a month and I have used it that way for the past couple of years. About thirty days after a shot I start to seize up. I know the symptoms of AS too well, of course. So then I take the shot, have a mild sinus reaction and that's it. Three weeks of relief with no side effects. My slight psoriasis problem never changed in this period. I have some flaking etc. on my temples and that's all.

I pray every day that I can continue to use Enbrel. It has been a miracle for me.

Terry in Canada

[Tony]

Dear Sir,

I have AS and I ahve started Enbrel for 2 weeks ago and I have alredy very good effect of it. In my country Enbrel is free for me but I was wondering is it same for you in CA?
I will appreciate a littel bit information about Canadian helt care system for AS patients.
Thank you in advance
Tony , Norway

[Terry In Canada]

Hi Tony:
The health care system in Canada only pays for Enbrel if the sufferer is financially unable to pay for him or herself. Each person's tax return is monitored and the amount of reimbursement for Enbrel is based on one's taxable income. I do not qualify for government help and must pay for it myself.

[Glenn in Maryland]

I have been using Enbrel for over a year now with great results. I did stop a month before spine surgery just to be on the safe side, and resumed it two months following surgery. Of course I did have a flare during this time and now I have to begin all over with the starting dose, I was being managed with one 50mg shot once per week and was completely clear. I do however have concern for the long term health risks. I took PUVA for over 17 years with complete clearing as well, but I am covered with freckles. All medicine carries a risk including topical ointment and light therapy. Thank God my insurance covers this med I just picked up a three month supply that was retailed at $8600.00!