Lilian-H wrote:I was diagnosed 2008 and have been on Meth and several other drugs and nothing seems to work I have felt sick and my eyes have become affected I know I am 75 years of age and the only relief I get is on the steriods The specialist is sugestting I go om Enbrel but reading some of the side effects it makes me wonder what to do. I know steriods have side effects but so do all the other drugs. I am going on holiday to spain and I dont want to be poorly when away Its quality of life and I feel so good on the steriods Help Lilian
Hi lilian, I've had R.A since 2004 and diagnosed with Sjogrens last month It took then a long time to diagnois me, and then i had to have a heart operation so my treatment was delayed. I was put on Methrotrexate which i had terrible side effects from, sulfalazine which was the same and Avara. None of them worked for me. They then suggested Enbrel, i was very relutant and then chnaged hospitals where at the new hospital the nurse explained to me about the drug very well. After reading some stuff on the internet I did find this medication scary, but rememeber you always hear about te worse case senario.
Anyway i had no option really as many of my joints are eroded. I had my first dose of Enbrel on Friday, the nurse comes to your house and sits with you for an hour to make sure everything is o.k. I did get myself in a bit of a panic as I've had heart problems and was scared. After the injection I felt a little bit spacy, but I think that's because i got myself in a panic.
Prior to Friday I was crippled with the pain, i could hardly walk, I had problems getting my bra and tops of as i could hardly move my hands and arms. Saturday I was able to get out of bed much easier than normal, and sunday I woke up with no pain what so ever and today is the same. on Thursday i took pictures of my swollen hands, today the swelling has gone down considerably and yesterday I noticed that i could do my apron up and get my clothes off.
I know they say it takes a couple of weeks to work, but I have noticed changes already. 2 weeks ago my ESR was 99 , it's suppose to be 0-10. Also I have not had one side effect ( touch wood) When I took Methrotrexate I would be asleep all of the next day and I felt terrible on it. with this drug I've had no side effects at all yet, but I know it's still earley days.
I'm not saying that enbrel will be the wonder drug for you as we all react differentley. You could ask to speak to the Rheuamtoid nurse and ask her to explain this drug to you.
all the best
Angela
