Hi All

Glad to say the rash has definitely started to improve and is nowhere near as sore. Have increased the amount of hydrocortisone cream I was prescribed. I did my third injection of Enbrel yesterday and have had no reaction so far with the rash.

I must say I have felt completely wiped out for over 24 hours after each injection. It has really knocked me around compared to the Methotrexate which I am still taking. Everyone keeps on saying to me that they thought this was the miracle drug and I look worse than ever. I have spent all day at work literally dragging myself around and just wanting to put my head down and go to sleep. I know it is early days yet and I think I am feeling a bit down at the moment. The rash, unfortunately is one of many health problems which seem to have worsened over the last few months. I am in incredible pain in my knee when I walk. I try and rest as much as I can but I have a full time job, although I am allowed to work at home two days a week. I also have a 14 year old Daughter and I used to love going shopping with her but I find it really difficult now and get incredibly irritable with the pain going around the shops but I do not want to let her down. She is such a good girl and works so hard at school, she deserves a treat.

My other problem is that just after my Daughter was born I had to have a hysterectomy because of damage caused during childbirth and then twelve months later I had to have a bowel and bladder prolapse done, again from the damage caused during childbirth. Everything has been in its rightful place for the past 13 years but over the last few months everything has dropped again dramatically causing all sorts of problems.

I am sure some of these problems are not RA connected but I just feel as if I am falling apart at the seams. I have two appointments at the doctors next week, one with my GP to discuss the knee situation and one with a lady doctor to discuss the prolaspe. I am sure that the prolapses are going to involve surgery again and I feel so weary about having to deal with all the ramifications of my health.

I am sorry to whinge but sometimes just putting the problems in words can help. At least it is Easter and I have four days of rest to look forward to.

Happy Easter to everyone
Jackie
xx

be carefull increaseing the cream if it has strieoid in it .It will thin the skin and the rash might come back .

but i anit a doc
Christine

Hi Jackie,

Sorry you are having such a dreadful time at the moment, all your problems seem to be coming at once.
When I was on the trial for Humira I had a huge flare not long after I started it and my rheumy nurse said it's quite common to have a flare when starting a new drug so I wonder if this is the what's happening with you?
I sympathise with you over shopping with your daughter, I know the energy that's required on these expeditions!
Hope you can get lots of rest over Easter.
Sending you lots of hugs,
Love, Doreen xx

Hello

The rash is back. I think it is definitely linked to the Enbrel and will need to track my Rheumy nurse down next week. I had injection on Wednesday and got up this morning and it is very red again. Will watch what I am doing with the cream and not go mad with it. Bought some new cotton bras this morning hoping this might help.

I was also wondering if I was having a flare as my RA symptoms are definitely worse since starting the Enbrel. Hopefully things will settle down again soon.

Even though I felt rough this morning, I dragged myself out of bed to go on the the shopping expedition with Daughter. 15 minutes shopping, 5 minutes sitting down and so on. She is wonderful and never complains bless her. Luckily a lot of changing rooms have little stools in them now so Mum is ensconced in the corner whilst she tries on all sorts of weird and wonderful outfits. I like the idea of hiring the scooter, especially as we toured the shopping centre many times and then she bought the outfits in the first shops we had visited I am not intending to go over the doorstep for the rest of the weekend but I am pleased I made the effort for my Daughter.

Take care all of you.

Jackie
xx

Jenni

Many thanks for your kind reply. The rash has almost gone again. Next injection due on Wednesday. Have an appointment booked with a GP for Thursday morning to discuss all manner of problems and will tell her what you have told me and print off your previous post about the possible side effects. I know that Enbrel is a very serious drug and I do not intend to take the possible side effects lightly. I am most likely going to have to have surgery within the next few weeks to sort out my bits and pieces so the Enbrel is going to have to stop for a while. It will be interesting to see if there is any rash then.

You and the other members of this forum are the reason I joined this website. All the years of training doctors go through is nothing compared to actually living with a condition and the medication we have to take. You are all my best source of information which I can then use to logically think about my problems and confront the medical profession with a level head. You are also a source of inspiration to me. My problems are nothing compared to yours and yet you always have the time to offer advice and comfort - thank you.

Kindest regards

Jackie
xx

Hi Jackie

I'm sorry to hear you have other health problems on top of the RA. I hope you can get them treated without another op. I've been injecting enbrel for about 3 years, and I never connected my rash with it. As I mentioned before, I use Canestan cream, but not every day. If it isn't too bad I dilute some Tea Tree oil in water and dab that on. It does seem to help. I think it's a condition that will not go away, just come and go.

Lyn

Hi again

I think Jenni is right about an appointment with a dermatologist - you certainly need some help with this.

Love Jeanxxxx