Enbrel for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews (Page 4)

• shadbro
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2014

"Have had rheumatoid arthritis for 5 years. Taking methotrexate for the whole time. It quit working as well. Just went on Enbrel 12 weeks ago, now have right arm swelling, pitting edema, trying to figure out what it is. I am 47 and shouldn't have any extremity swelling. Have never had any swelling of arms or legs. It is not DVT had ultrasound to rule that out. Common sense would say Enbrel triggered something. Hope it resolves and isn't anything serious."

• Riden...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2016

"I have severe RA and was started on MTX about 6 months ago already maxed out and pain and inflammation was doing major damage. Two years ago I was running a mile several times a week and when the RA hit I could not even open my bedroom door. Recently was started on Embrel. After the first shot I noticed a 25% improvement with pain and stiffness. I did not find the shot painful as some describe, but I had already been self injecting the MTX. No other side affects thus far. Looking forward to my second injection this week and continued improvement."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2016

"I am starting my first shot of Enbrel next week. I am scared to death of the side effects. I have been on Prednisone and Leflunomide for about 6 months and it has helped, but I am not getting the full relief he had hoped for, so my doctor decided to try weekly Enbrel shots. Feeback? Good or bad experience on Enbrel?"

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

"Enbrel saved my life. I've had rheumatoid arthritis for 3 1/2 years. I had severe swelling and pain in almost every joint of my body, which coupled with the exhaustion, left me with little life. The Enbrel with the weekly methotrexate makes me feel basically normal, and able to work and live like a normal person. I found the weekly pens to be very easy to use. I moved to a country that doesn't have the pens, so now I'm on a twice weekly normal injection. I'm terrified of needles and cry like a 2 year old if I see one, so my husband gives me the shots and I can barely feel them. I thank the Lord everyday that I am able to have this medicine!"

• Babs
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

"DX with RA December 2018. Now taking MTX, Plaquenil, sulfasalazine and last 3 months added Humira. Not OK yet. Will Start Enbrel in 1 week. Very anxious, reading all of your experiences and life changing diagnosis. Please wish me lots of luck. I have faith that I too will become more optimistic regarding my disease. Thank you all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 10, 2012

"I have been taking Enbrel for 5 years which is how long I have had rheumatoid arthritis. My original symptoms which were affecting my mobility in the mornings went away in a few weeks. I now go through periods where I do not have any symptoms for months. I have mild stiffness in my feet in the mornings a few days after I experience a period of stress (like working through the night). This medication has changed the course of my life."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

"I have had rheumatoid arthritis like symptoms for over 2 years with no regular treatment, only occasional prednisone when the symptoms were too severe to bear. After my symptoms seemed like they never went away and I switched doctors, I have just received my 4th dose of Enbrel and immediately felt a difference after the first shot. My coverage does seem to wear off around day 5, but I still feel better than I have felt in 2.5 years. I would recommend this medicine to anyone considering a treatment that won't alter your life's hectic schedule."

• Sharo...
• February 11, 2014

"Was on Methotrexate and Mobic with no relief for 5 years. Took Enbrel and had a life again. Began golfing and bowling again. That suddenly stopped about 8 months ago the fatigue is unbearable and now the swelling and pain is back."

• Love...
• July 10, 2009

"I have been using Enbrel for almost 2 years with great success. Only recently it stopped working for me. The morning stiffness, hand swelling and all the pain that goes with it was back. My Doctor just started me on Remicade and it started working almost immediately. So don't fret if it stops working for you. I did like doing my own injections with Enbrel, with Remicade it's a 2 hour infusion by your Doctor every 2 months."

• grate...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2013

"When I started Enbrel, I had great results. All the staff at Enbrel was and still is a great support team. They have even enrolled me in the sharps container recovery program. The medication itself is amazing. I have had to try other meditation's as my insurance company did not want to pay for it at first but since they were told that I have tried other medications they do pay for it."

• Chris...
• January 29, 2018

"I was diagnosed with polymyalgia in 2016 at the age of 38. This disease has taking a toll on me especially at night when I sleep. Well one day I could not move my arms legs had pain in my wrist. Then by the next couple days my shoulders and hips started to hurt. I could not comb my hair, open doors. My rhemotolgist dr placed me on 20mg prednisone after a few days I was able to function again. Prednisone doesn't last all day. My dr prescribed embrel last wk. From the second day I was able to move comfortably in bed. I knew it was working. I felt it over night. I'm so grateful. My CED rate was always high at least in the hundreds. Can't wait to see next month's labs. Because I'm feeling better I'm sure the number has gone down. What do you have to lose but the pain. I tried methatrexate and many other pills nothing worked but the steroids. Still feeling the embrel working next shot is tomorrow. So it hasn't worn off. Haven't felt side effects either. That's a plus."

• junee...
• October 30, 2010

"I have been taking enbrel for 11 years. I worked great for me until the last year when it gradually stopped working. I did the self injection 2X week. Over the last year the relief subsided 2 days after the shots and then when I took the next 3-4 days from the last it would take 24 hours for the relief to kick in, sometimes no relief. My doctor said he wants me to take Humira but for some reason (irrational or not) I am terrified of changing medicines. I had no side effects from Enbrel except some minor sinus irritation -not infections. I am worried I won't be so lucky with another medicine. "

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2015

"Had RA for 4 yrs after birth of my baby. I spent 2 years on various meds which did nothing for the pain Then put on Humira which worked wonders for nearly 2 years then started getting flare ups again so they put me on Enbrel 1st injection fine 2nd got small injection site reaction 3Rd injection got massive reaction at injection site & laryngitis Dr diagnosed cellulitis but after reading that laryngitis can be a symptom of allergic reaction I'm leaning towards an allergic reaction and am currently waiting a reply from my rheumatology team!"

• LisaDo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2016

"Took 1 injection. Found out I could not afford it because Medicare won't pay. Have never experienced a FLAIR of this nature. I am in so much pain it is unbearable. Hope it goes away soon. I cannot bear it!"

• Texas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 7, 2014

"Severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare presented in 2006 after a traumatic wrist injury/surgery. Enbrel did not work for 6 months and then mostly worked. Until the end of 3 yrs. Developed Polymyositis in addition to RA. Creates total weakness in the large muscle groups, balance problems, and of course depression. Taking about 20 different medicines, including steroids afterwards. No significant relief except when on steroids greater than 20mg per day. High dose of steroids for past 2 years. Just tried Rituxin infusion therapy. First drip went fine. 2nd infusion caused an allergic reaction. Back to square 1."

• Mr T
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2016

"After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the very painful debilitating type less than one year ago I called a rheumatologist. She told me I had every indication of rheumatoid arthritis but I had to tell her one more thing I was HIV-positive. Now most of these medications immediately stated not to take it have an infection. Well what is a person to do I have HIV and that's an infection. She gave me time to hash it out and I thought OK I'm going to try it. Of course it's premeasured syringes refrigerated this is how mine was prepared for me. I injected around the navel Area of abdomen. No real pain and no sensitivity occurred. After being on it for six weeks I went for my laboratory results and my doctor called me early on a Saturday morning and stop medication that has caused neutropenia, look it up very serious had to stop it. Now she wants me on it every other week since my blood work has come back normal again But very conflicted as to whether I should or not. Is there anyone else out there with the same condition I have I would love to hear from you thank you hope this helps."

• mom...
• October 7, 2013

"I am 57 years old. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about 3 years ago. During the past 3 years I have taken a variety of medications. I was unable to tolerate Methotrexate. Presently, I take 400 mg of Plaquenil daily, Protonix once daily, and 800-1600 mg of ibuprofen daily. My rheumatologist also prescribes Prednisone tapers for flares. I've been using the Enbrel Autoinjector 50 mg once per week for about 8 weeks. Sadly, I have not experienced any relief of arthritis symptoms. Thankfully, no serious side effects either so I plan to continue with Enbrel for a few more weeks. I'm wondering how long I should wait before giving up."

• Curly...
• April 25, 2017

"I have been on Enbrel for about 5-6 years roughly, I use to take methotrexate and Enbrel, then I stick to Enbrel and it has stabled my arthritis. I am doing it now every 3 weeks and I find my joints hurt after taking it. The best place to do it in my opinion is the upper leg. Sometimes the area I did my injection would itch but it would dissapear after a couple days. Overall I haven't had much complaints using this medicine, I used the sure click which makes things easier then the automatic one."

• polot...
• September 20, 2016

"ive been on enbrel for 2 months i have not had any changes. i have diabetes and have pins and needles sticking my feet legs hands. my pins and needles have gotten worst. my joints hurt a lot worst. im trying to keep hope that it will kick in soon. but im getting weary"

• Teresa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2023

"Be careful with this medicine. At first, I thought it may be helping me but after the second or third months, I felt so lousy and tired that I couldn’t get up. I had side effects such as a dry mouth and allergies and my foot swelled up. I would much rather take Humira with fewer side effects, so be careful with Enbrel. Also, they are very prejudiced against medical insurance, they only want to help people with their program that have commercial insurance. They have what they call a nonprofit but they do not help you if you have Medi-Cal so beware of that before you start your samples."

• babys...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2018

"I have been taking Enbrel for a little over 2 yrs Tried MTX, Humira and some other biologic before insurance would pay for Enbrel, which my RA doc says is the "gold" standard treatment. I feel that it helped the first 2 years but after the last few months I've been having more intense side effects - achy legs, lethargy, headaches, injection site reactions and my joints are actually more swollen - especially in the a.m.? I went off it last year for 3 mths just to see what would happen and I felt better (side effect wise) and my RA seemed stable but my labs were abnormal after the 3 mths so my Dr. encouraged me to go back on the Enbrel. Been back on for 3 weeks and feeling very discouraged. Helps with the RA but now living with the side effects."

• Anonymous
• June 23, 2008

"Have taken 3 shots so far with almost no change yet but they have said that it could take up to 3 months. Am hoping that this medicine will give me some semblance of a life back for I am going to be a grandma in 2 months."

• loudw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2017

"ENBREL is a life changer. I tried oral therapy (methotrexate, plaquenil, prednisone, etc), and had severe side effects. With ENBREL, the stabbing sensations of a hot knife twisting in my joints stopped. I inject myself weekly in the abdomen with the SureClick pen. 2 out of 104X the injection site bruised. 2 out of 104x using ENBREL, 2 SureClicks failed to inject. AMGEN replaced for free. Surgeries helped me regain hand and arm strength. My 2-yr follow-up X-ray for my total knee replacement was spot on, despite the permanent RA damage to the femur. Double rhizotomy in cervical spine every 6 mos helps. Will replace damaged forefinger and thumb joints this year. Mountain biking again! Thank God for ENBREL!"

• Phast...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2017

"I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in January of 2016. Was on methotrexate until March of 2017 with decent improvements. Went on enbrel in March of 2017. Unbelievable results. Feel great. Thanks Amgen!!!"

• kasil...
• September 13, 2016

"I do have the medication with me(Enbrel) but Im unable to pinch myself due to my damaged fingers because of arthtritis , I went with a nurse to teach me how to do it but was impossible for me to grab the pen I have no grip abilities, tomorrow I will see my R doc to see if a have another options on how to do it, I live by myself and there's no one around to help, and my question is what's the reason nurses woud'nt do it in the office?? Im willing to pay for this service since I can't do it . I need your comments please ?"