My Dr. wants to put me on ENBREL for psoriatic arthritis. Is anyone on this site taking it?

I just started the enbrel shot. I take two a week and I am getting ready to have my third (begin my second week on it). I am also on it for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. I have noticed some difference already in the psoriasis. The side effects I am experiencing are "flu like" symtoms... the day after the shot is the worse, by body is achy. But I am going to keep taking it, because it's possible my body will get used to it and the side effects may subside. The needle in the sub accute shot is very small ( I am petrified of needles and shots). The medicine needs to be refrigerated. I cannot live any longer like I am living, with the pain of the psoriasis. So to me, this was my last resort. I have tried almost everything prior to this. I too, was afraid of the side effects.

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But it's different for everyone and you just need to weigh out your options? They have to list all those side effects even if ONE person has them in their study. The two people I spoke with, prior to beginning my shots, had no side effects. I am keeping a daily log of how I am feeling. Educate yourself and know there are people you can talk to about it. I hope this helps some... I would be happy to stay in touch and let you know my experience with it.

I have been taking 25 mg of Enbrel subcutaneously twice a week for over 7 years. Before I started taking it, I had been using Methotrexate for about 10 years, as well as Arava. The methotrexate was taken orally, and I put up with stomach upset for about 24 hours after each dose. The effectiveness seemed to wane with that drug gradually over time. The Arava had worse side effects... I had loss of taste, or rather an altered sense of all taste, and I also gained a lot of weight while taking that. At the point I started taking Enbrel, I was needing to get up about 90 minutes early, just to be able to get dressed. Or, alternatively, I had to have help with putting on my socks, fastening my bra, tying my shoes, opening containers, etc. I almost always wore pants that had an elastic waist in order to avoid ever having to fasten zippers or buttons or snaps. Later in the day, I was sometimes able to do those things myself with less pain. But some days were better than others.

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Going down stairs was extremely difficult, and I avoided going down any stairs that did not have two railings to hold, or at least a rail on one side and a wall to balance on the other (up was easier, for some reason). After about the first 6 months on Enbrel, things started to improve dramatically. I get up less than an hour before needing to be ready to go and am able to easily dress myself completely. I wear whatever I want - buttons, zippers, snaps, whatever! My psoriasis is virtually non-existant (I used to have big patches on my elbows about 4 inches across, big patches on my knees, and my scalp was covered.) I can ride my bike, take nice walks, and pretty much do what I want to do, as long as I don't overdo it. The only side effects I have had included a bit of nausea after doses for the first few months, and some occasional itching, redness, and slight pain around the injection site. That does not happen hardly ever anymore. My biggest problems right now are dealing with some chronic tendonitis issues (in my achilles tendons and my rotater cuff in my right shoulder).