Does Enbrel only work for people with arthritis,can it help with stiff backs,hips,groins etc?

15 Dec 2011

I'm really surprised that a doctor would prescribe Enbrel without a diagnosis. I take it for rheumatoid arthritis and it is also used for psoriatic arthritis, anklosing spondylitis, and other autoimmune diseases. It is not going to help with osteo arthritis as it works by suppressing a part of the immune system called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa). Also, even if you do have an autoimmune disease there is no guarantee that it will work... usually you have to give it 3-4 months before trying something else although some people have a response in just a couple of weeks. This is a big drug and very expensive so I'm wondering why your doctor thinks it will help if you don't have an autoimmune/inflammatory disease. I hope they gave you a TB test first as this is very important before starting it.