Hi Louise

I am not sure that I have introduced myself ... but I won't do it here and mess up the thread!

I am on Enbrel and have been for about 7 years. Prior to that I was on Infliximab, another anti-tnf, which after 12 months started to lose it efficacy and I was moved onto Enbrel. For me it has been a fantastic drug! I have had RA for 22 years, and as a result have much joint damage and especially in my feet where surgery has been quite extensive. Enbrel gave me a new lease of life and has slowed down (although not stopped) the progress of the disease.

My thoughts to you are that your practitioner must feel that this is the most appropriate drug for you. Anti-tnfs are not handed out lightly and you meet the criteria. You need this drug to continue to function, to have some quality of life which you perhaps won't otherwise have. Yes, this is a toxic drug, but you have a chronic long term disease with no cure. You will undoubtedly be more susceptible to infection (not ideal in your job), but if the RA remains uncontrolled you will suffer irreparable joint damage. You get one pair of feet, they can't be replaced!

Your health is important, the job less so. Take the Enbrel ... you really do need it!
All the best,

Lyn x

Hi Louise,

Well done with the injection!
I don't know about Enbrel, but with Humira it took me 6 to 8 weeks and a flare before I felt any benefit.
It is not a painkiller so you need to still take pain relief as you need it.
Good luck with it, I hope it works well for you.

Love, Doreen xx

Hi Louise,

The only reaction I get is a red patch round the injection site for 48 hours, this only started occurring after I'd been on it about 8 months! I wasn't given a choice of drugs, my consultant just suggested Humira so I went with that.
I can well understand you having to teach sitting down, no way could you be on your feet all day. Have you seen a podiatrist? I was given some insoles which have really helped my feet. Ask your GP or rheumy nurse to refer you.

Love, Doreen xx

Hi Louise - I'm with you on the 'full shoe' feeling that the insoles cause. My pod said he would refer me to get some 'hospital shoes' which I'm sure would cuase much amusement in classes but I have agreed. Don't know about you, but some classes I daren't sit down! I have a tall stool from Science which I perch on.

Hope you still feel ok and no side effects from the meds. Do you just take amitriptyline at night? I take 75mg about 2 hours before I need to be asleep and it usually works, but couldn't manage it in the day.

Let us know how you are getting on - good luck, Ailsa

Hi Ailsa

i know what you mean about some classes and sitting down!!!!I find the kids just accept the walking stick and that I am slower moving about. I take 45mg of Amitriptyline at night, about an hour before I go to sleep. it means I sleep well which is good, especially at the moment because i cant bear the weight of the quilt on my left big toe.

On a morning I just take my anti inflamitory drug meloxicam and steroids which I am lowering each week now that I have started on Enbrel.

Where do you teach?

Louise