Starting Enbrel

[+xausted]

Hi all.
I saw my consultant today and he has decided that I will start on the Enbrel in around 3 weeks. He wants the MTX to get completly out of my system and give me a short break. He believes that this one should work for me. Apperently it will be delivered to the house and someone will show me how to use it. I will be injecting twice a week.
Anyone got any advice for me?(he has not even said if I need bloods doing or anything) If not just keep your fingers crossed that something will at last work without making me ill  

[riaY]

can't help but good luck sweetheart

[+xausted]

can't help but good luck sweetheart

Thanks. xxx
Jayne

[Fi.]

When I started enbrel I was referred to a derm nurse, she organised the bloods etc, and it is she that I have seen since then.  Maybe you will get an appointment with one too.

Healthcare at Home provide the enbrel, and they are contracted to send a nurse round to show you how to inject on the first two occasions I think it is.  It is quite straightforward, as long as you are ok with needles.

Make sure you take the enbrel out about 30 mins before injecting, it doesn't sting so much.

Good luck!

[Talis]

Best of luck on the enbrel Jayne

Mne get delivered by health care at home too.

I have my bloods done monthly for full blood count, urea and electrolytes, CRP and ESR at my GPs so both them and rheumy team have access to the results. They should give you a monitoring book to put the results in too.

I leave mine out at least 30mins before injecting too to lessen the sting. I use my tummy as I find it less painful than my thigh but you wil soon learn where its best for you.

[Debzy]

Gosh, good luck injecting yourself, I don't think I could do that. lol I had to look up this type of drug as I'm not familiar with it, but you may find the following info useful yourself.. especially the safety warnings before taking it.  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

btw... if the MTX didn't work and you find that Endbrel doesn't either, what will be your next choice?
Deb x

[Fi.]

Gosh, good luck injecting yourself, I don't think I could do that. lol I had to look up this type of drug as I'm not familiar with it, but you may find the following info useful yourself.. especially the safety warnings before taking it.  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

btw... if the MTX didn't work and you find that Endbrel doesn't either, what will be your next choice?
Deb x

There are other biologics available, enbrel is usually the first one people try.  Enbrel stopped working for me, I have just started Humira.  Others have gone from Humira to Stelara.

[Debzy]

wow...    so many potent drugs and yet none of them actually get rid of the psoriasis?!    I personally wouldn't even start on the drugs as it obviously comes back once you stop taking them.
Deb x

[+xausted]

Thankyou all for your responses. The consultant said that the home care team will be in touch with me shortly, so I will see then.
Debzy - I wouldn't be going down this route if I didn't think it was worth all the risks. My quality of life was disappearing very quickly, and some relief for even a few months will be great. However I do understand that what suits one person would not suit another.

[LexHolland]

Hi Debzy,

I doubt that there are many of us who would actually choose to inject ourselves twice a week, every week for years on end..
However, not injecting means having Pso and Reu Pso which in my case causes 90% disability.. So even if it comes back after cessation, at least I can still go to work today and put some bread on the table.