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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
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Each week following the Enbrel injection a few days later I get a nasty reaction, it looks lumpy and its a red lumpy circle about the size of a 50 pence piece where the needle went in. I have been prescribed Elocon steroid cream (without anyone looking at this) which I don't really like using. I am now the proud owner of 3 of these reaction sites and wondered if anyone else has had this problem. What bothers me is the fact that they take about 2 to 3 weeks to completely disappear altogether. I would be pleased to hear from anyone. Regards Val 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 302
Location: Rainham Kent
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Hi Val
I haven't had any problems with Enbrel so I would suggest you ask
at the hospital. Do you get it from Healthcare at home? They have
a nurse helpline so you could try that. Anne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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I have never had this problem but my sister did with her Humira injections and she was prescribed antihistamines which seemed to help. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Val
Yes unfortunately I was allergic to both Humira and Enbrel. I injected the first time with both, and then would have a large reaction patch around the injection site. This would then start to fade over the week, and then when the next injection was done, the previous site would react again and then the new one would react. In the end I had to give up with both. I also had a very bad reaction to my first infusion of Rituximab and this had to be stopped.
However, I have started using Simponi (another anti-tnf) and I have had no reaction to this at all. I think it is a question of finding the right one for your body.
You should talk to Homecare or your rheumy department.
Take care
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 51
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire
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Hi
I would advise you to get in touch with your R. nurse as soon as you can It may be you are not able to use Enbrel.
I have been taking Enbrel for 9 years and athough I have at times had a slight reaction around the injection site, nothing like you describe.
I hope that you are able to get things sorted as soon as possible.
Best wishes
Lisa
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Val Definitely one for the rheumatology nurse. Reaction around the injection site could possibly mean a reaction unseen elsewhere. I was on Enbrel for years with only an odd reaction here and there at the injection site but I don't think I would dally with this. Good luck Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Hi, good advice here, any adverse reaction needs to be looked into.
I am just wondering where you inject. I had bad reactions when injecting into my leg, but hardly any when injecting my tummy. I was on it for about 9 mnths.
Hope you get it sorted soon, Zena x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
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Thank you for all your replies and good advice. I have rung the rheumy nurse and Enbrel has now been stopped. They are suggesting that once everything has settled down I go onto Rituxamab. I know this is administered in hospital, can anyone tell me how often, and does this type of needle hurt!!!!!! The Enbrel pen was awful and very painful.
Regards Val
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Hi Val,
I had two infusions of rtx last November. Initially the treatment is given in these two infusions two weeks apart. After that approx. every 6 mnths. The first treatment for me took the whole day, it has to be given very slowly because of the possible side effects, but they do keep a very good eye on you. the second was slightly quicker. Unfortunately it did not help me much, so I was not given any more, but I must add that although it sounds quite scarey I had no side effects at all. The only pain is the doc. actually putting in the canula for the infusion to be put in, no more than a blood test really. I know what you mean about enbrel, it really stings when going in, I was on it for 9 mnths, but that failed for me too. There a couple of quite detailed blogs about rtx if you have a look. They might help explain for you.
Good Luck, hope it works for you. Zena x.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/26/2010 Posts: 128 Location: Birmingham
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Just reading this and I'm so glad you have a more reactive rheumatology team than mine. I had the exact same reaction as you describe, with each injection site taking 3-4 weeks to settle down, regardless of injection site. I described this to my rheumy nurse (who I have since made a complaint about and refused to see again) and wasn't taken off it until I refused it and demanded investigation into the side effects. Despite my concerns, they kept me on it for four months and I'm still suffering the after effects.
Lyn's advice that a reaction at the injection site could mean a reaction elsewhere is absolutely correct. Courtesy of the Enbrel I now have other health problems I never had before, and I have a referral to an endocrinologist. It put me into early menopause, or more correctly, I went through the entire menopause in three months and I have the blood tests to prove it. Thank God my cycle has gone back to pre-Enbrel state (ie normal) but my bloods still show I'm post menopausal!!!
I'm actually torn between anger and tears after seeing this. I feel another formal complaint coming on. I may even ask to transfer rheumy teams. This has really shocked me.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
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so sorry to hear about your reaction and not being taken off the drug sooner. I think we have to learn to be very pro active ourselves. I have now been offered Rituxamab but have turned it down as there is a very serious (rare) side effect called PML. On the basis that I have had a reaction to both Humira and now Enbrel I think it increases the chance of side effects for me with other drugs.
Kind regards
Val
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