Any advice appreciated here. I had my 5th Enbrel jab on Friday, having been fine with the other 4. By Sunday, not only did I have a sore, swollen red and itchy patch from Friday's jab, the site of jab 4 came out in the same way! They have continued to itch/hurt/drive me demented all day and are now about 3" across. I think I could probably fry an egg on them

I meant to come home via the pharmacy but didn't get away in time. Trying to decide whether to make a trip to Boots which is open till ten, but I'm sooo sleepy I don't know if I can bear to go out again. Anyone else had this after it all seeming to be ok? Sorry for moaning - I know it is nothing serious, but it really is driving me mad! XX Ailsa

Hi Ailsa

I agree with Doreen you really do need to speak to the rheum. nurse. The Wyeth patient leaflet for Enbrel seems to suggest that it could be an allergic response (severe rash, itching or hives). Definitely worth hot footing to Boots to get something for the itching!
Good luck

Lyn x

hi Alisa,

hope things have improved for you re soreness,

i would definately inform your Rheumy Nurse though .. let's know how you are doing,

Suzanne x

Thanks for the advice. The witch hazel worked a little but this week the area affected was huge - virtually encircling my whole leg and over 5inches deep (got my daughter to measure it!)

I rang the rheumy nurse and she told me to take photos and see her today. When I showed her the pics she was horrified and said I can't have any more as the next one could be a very serious reaction. She will speak to the rheumy on Monday about what to do next, but I have to have 4 weeks before starting something new to get it out of my system.

I'm feeling so fed up... It was beginning to work. My DAS was down to 6.2 and knees are better already. How do you cope with all the setbacks and stopping and starting? Sorry for being glum xx Ailsa

Hello Ailsa

Oh Lord sounds horible and if itchy - uck. Oh Ailsa I so understand as if you feeling
better it seems such a same to have to stop. Yes and have to start the process all over
again.

I also have been feeling very down so I do really understand what this means to you
I still not started TNF's due to infection and it has not got me feeling very down.

I keep telling myself there are worse people sufferring than me. As you
know though it does not make it any easier for you.

Chin Up

Rose

What a disappointment Ailsa. I'm so glad you got the reaction checked out though. I hope you don't go downhill too quickly in the next 4 weeks. Take care.

Julie

That's really odd Lyn - the nurse from Healthcare at Home told me to sit down and inject the front of my thigh, which she did for me on the first occasion. She said I could also try my tummy area but she thought it was easier to pull the skin taut on a leg than a tum. I've made sure I only jab the front of my thigh.

Mine was definitely a reaction to the meds rather than the mechanics of being jabbed though. Oh well, off to read through Cimzia and Humira to see which I prefer!!

So sorry to hear you are still not free of infection Rose. You must be fed up xx

Hope you can get started soon Suzanne and feel better xx

Ailsa

Hi

I had this when I took enbrel, i saw a dermatologist in the end and they gave me piriton and some special cream to lessen the lump of redness. I went onto have a serious prob with the lumps, emergency surgery etc not good.
Stopped the enbrel altogther for a while, went back on it and I never did have a site reaction again. Isnt that strange.

Cimzia is a good one as people who did well on enbrel did well on cimzia so Im told on the trials (thats what my consultant said)

Jenni xx

enbrel is sub cut

Hi Ailsa

It's a real bummer all this hanging about waiting ... I know exactly where you are coming from! I do hope they sort something very soon so you can start to get some relief from the problems.

We all have different ways of doing things that suit us best and I'm sure your method had nothing to do with the reaction you experienced which would clearly seem to be an allergic response. I am using Enbrel by syringe and needle (started before the pens were introduced and didn't want to change!) and I do prefer the better control given by this method. I also opted to stay on twice weekly injections which contain less preservative (I have known people react to that!). I didn't have anyone show me how to use the equipment, I got a leaflet instead! But, the Enbrel needles are long enough to reach thigh muscles (well mine anyway ... but I have very muscular thighs due to much sporting activity!!) so, I have always avoided the area, just in case. I had enough bruised thigh problems when I was on gold injections!! I wipe the area I'm going to use, left side of tummy, move the needle lightly over the area and when I find a spot that doesn't respond I stick the needle in slowly. Been using the same four square inches for 7 years now and no problem! Guess I'm very lucky in that respect so it will be a shame if I have to come off it

Anyway, good luck Ailsa, try and stay calm. Thinking of you,

Lyn x