Etanercept for Ankylosing Spondylitis User Reviews

• Janet
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2019

Enbrel (etanercept) "I was going to the Doctors for joint pain for along time. Finally my primary recommended me to see a rheumatologist. Visited her for several months before putting me on Enbrel for the ankylosing spondylitis. I feel like a new person. No pain, increased activity and loss 25 pounds well needed loss. I am so happy. I also get the flu shot and so when flying I increase my over the counter probiotics and immune meds (airborne) so I don’t get sick. Been on Enbrel for 6 months."

• Lsnbc
• November 3, 2013

Enbrel (etanercept) "Tried Enbrel several years ago. Took 3 months to notice positive changes and took 6 months to feel very good. After a year of feeling good, I stopped taking it due to fear. After a year I was miserable. It again took 3 months to think I was getting better and in 6 months I felt great. Just want some people to know it isn't always a quick acting drug. Be patient. But drug makes me feel almost normal and not a person with aches and pains in dozens of places in my body"

• johnboy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2013

Enbrel (etanercept) "I have been taking Enbrel for 6 months now and I haven't looked back. The side effects have been minimal. Without Enbrel I am quite sure I would be in a wheel chair. I was getting very depressed, I couldn't live a normal life and I couldn't walk. I would shuffle around and in great pain also. I can 100% recommend Enbrel to sufferers of Ankylosing Spondylitis. I was very scared of giving myself an injection every month but the discomfort is minimal. I wouldn't care if it cost me $1000 per month it is well worth it."

• Navy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2012

Enbrel (etanercept) "I suffered for 10 years not knowing what was wrong. Ankylosing Spondylitis was taking my life in a painful way. Enbrel has been like a miracle, the pain was gone after the first day. If you are still suffering and other medicines are not doing the trick, ask your doctor to put you on Enbrel. After taking it for 6 weeks, my Ankylosing Spondylitis is 90% better. I'm 44 years old and bought an off road dirt bike and go out riding as often as I have time now. The only pain I have now are the bruises."

• skyfl...
• October 15, 2015

Enbrel (etanercept) "Experienced 95% relief 24 hours after my 1st injection. I just had my 3rd injection and feel amazing. Before Enbrel I was taking 18 extra strength Ibuprofen daily and was still in pain at times throughout the day. Enbrel given me back my life. Every morning when I wake up and have no excruciating stiffness and pain I almost cry. It's almost like I'm dreaming and its just a matter of time before the pain returns. It hasn't. Thank You Enliven."

• Sassy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2016

Enbrel (etanercept) "OMGosh, my friends...Enbrel is my lifesaver! I have been 6'2" tall since the 8th grade, then...I think I stopped growing, (up, anyway-lol:) I am 57yrs old now, diagnosed with AS some years ago, and I am now...maybe...4'2", if I'm lucky. If it weren't for Enbrel, I would be in a wheelchair, no doubt in my mind! If it weren't for my stubbornness, (lol:) I'd already be in one. I could go on and on...and on-lol:) Just...PLEASE...IF you are suffering from arthritis of ANY kind, please ask your Dr about Enbrel, or...some other biologic that might be the perfect med for you. Hey, it's worth a shot! HA:) (pun not intentional, but...pretty good) Have to keep smilin'. One day at a time! Good luck my friends:)"

• Peyto...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2019

Enbrel (etanercept) "I have been on Enbrel for about 4 years for Ankylosing Spondylitis. At first it worked well with no adverse reactions. About 1 1/2 years ago I began developing stomach issues. Eight months ago those issues were diagnosed as Crohn’s disease. I have researched whether or not Enbrel can cause Crohn’s or colitis and some studies indicate it can. Wish I would have known that going in. My doctor wants me to switch to Cimzia but I honestly feel that long term all of these medications are poison."

• Ivfiu...
• July 18, 2018

Enbrel (etanercept) "Last 3 months of use I developed neuro problems , tremors, urine issues, skin issues and seizures 2 to 48 hrs after injection, began walking with a list (tilted, off balance), became confused, locked myself in a closet for 2 days. Would turn on burners then go back and forth forgetting to get food out of fridge. Family demanded I stop. After enbrel I had 4 weeks of elevated blood pressure 160 over 95 and pulse of 90. My BP for 15 yrs has been 120 to 130 over 70s and pulse in upper 60s. Urine turned dark brown and had a smell so horrid I would retch. My liver prior to stopping Enbrel enlarged further as did my spleen. Enzyme levels skyrocketed and biliburin levels went from .5 prior to out of range 1.7. platelet levels dropped from low 120 ml per to less than 80ml per. Have regained memory but still have tremors have lost 45 lbs in a month with no end in sight. Still have neurological issues and walk funny Enbrel wrecked my body and Amgen is not interested in what happened."

• Jay
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 18, 2012

Enbrel (etanercept) "I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis about 2 years ago after experiencing severe stiffness in the neck and shoulders. I could barely turn my neck at all. Within a couple of weeks of taking Enbrel I was fully flexible and back to my rightful age of 27. 2 years on and I even sometimes forget I have this illness. I recently stopped taking it for 2 weeks and I soon found out what wonders it was working! It is incredible."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2010

Enbrel (etanercept) "Have had Ankolysing Spondylitis since 17, never knew that until 3 years ago. Just thought I had bad back, knees and shoulders. Had one of my "episodes" that didn't pass in 3 weeks, went to Docotr, gave all my symptoms, he asked if I ever had X-rays of my spine. Yes I had, but not the right area, and there was all this fusing, and calcification in my lungs, did some tests, and a referral to a Rheumatologist, findings of AS and Fibromyalgia. Enbrel has saved my life, I am allergic to NSAIDs so no help there, but with Enbrel at 48 years I feel I have this disease, not that it has Me. Still have some BAD Days but am able to hold job and have a life."

• steph...
• January 13, 2009

Enbrel (etanercept) "I have taken 3-4 semi-effective anti-inflammatory medications in the past. Some made me nauseous and dizzy, but Enbrel is the first to make me feel 99% normal. My energy level is much higher than it was. I don't walk around like an old man any more (I'm a 37 year old female) and I can do yoga, aerobics, etc. The only side-effect I have noticed is about 10lbs weight gain over the past year, but I am going to work on more exercise/less evening snacking and see if that can keep it in check. At least now I have the energy to exercise when I need to. Before it was too daunting."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2011

Enbrel (etanercept) "Enbrel most likely saved my life. Was eating less znd less due to pain in jaw. Range of motion loss in neck, hip, jaw and back largely regained after taking Enbrel. On it for 6 years. Pain went away day after starting it. First symptom was probably iritis episode in 2000. Now 53 years old and only worry is how to pay for it with all the changes in medical coverage."

• haggi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2013

Enbrel (etanercept) "I started just yesterday. It's 36 hours later. I feel like 200 lbs lifted off me in the last 3 hours. I can move! I'd tried Remicade...had a terrible reaction/anaphylactic reaction and it did nothing for me. So far this is a miracle, I hope this continues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2013

Enbrel (etanercept) "I am 14 and I have been diagnosed with arthritis. Enbrel helped me for about a month or so but recently I have started feeling the pain again. I cannot get out of bed in the morning anymore. When I take the injections it hurts really bad. "

• Meano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 1, 2013

Enbrel (etanercept) "I have ankylosing spondylitis, it was so bad that I couldn't get out of bed and just got worse. Started Enbrel, it would work for about 4-5 days then stop. I took it weekly. I stopped and tired Humira for 6 months and it didn't work at all, so went back to Enbrel and its working like it used to. It doesn't make the pain totally go away but it is bearable. Can't comment on price because I receive it from the VA."

• RAASi...
• November 8, 2010

Enbrel (etanercept) "Amazing medication in its capabilities. The challenge is staying healthy and avoiding infections, specifically sinus infections for me. It has been a miracle drug and I hope to continue using it because it's given me back my life."

• crave...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2021

Enbrel (etanercept) "I was diagnosed at 23 (now am 35) with AS. Had some of the worst pain ever experienced in my early 20's. I was lucky enough to be prescribed with Enbrel when around 27 which was covered by my insurance, after my first injection...it gave my life back. No more popping half-a-dozen NSAIDs daily and still experiencing pain. However, I was sent to work overseas for one year, and after arriving home I find out that I had to reapply so that my insurance would cover the costs. I have been trying for the last two years, but my inflammation numbers are just not as bad as my first application. Ah...if only I planned ahead"

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2010

Enbrel (etanercept) "Even though I take the Enbrel in addition to diclofenac and sulfasalazine, adding it to my drug regime has been a small miracle. The day following my first dose was as if I had lost 25 pounds, moved to sea level, and it was summer all year long. My energy level has increased, I have no morning stiffness at all, and I can hike, carry a 25 pound back pack, and knit. I have been using it for 4 years and it has not changed its positive affect on my disease. I feel very badly for those who are allergic to it or have built a tolerance to it. Humira did nothing like this for me, and I cannot afford Rheumacaid."

• smcco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2015

Enbrel (etanercept) "Oh my god!! This medication is amazing. It's turned me into a brand new person. The debilitating swelling/stiffness in my knees, pain and grinding in my shoulders are ENTIRELY gone. The stiffness and lack of movement in my spine is very slowly getting better. I've been on it 3 weeks and I'm so much better. It took a very long time (3 years) and 6 Rheumatologists to finally get a doc to agree to trial me on a TNF inhibitor. The injection site reaction is super sucky. It have a big red itchy/burning rash where I inject for a 3-4 days after. I've made up a great cream to treat the symptoms, but gonna ask the Doc if I can switch to prefilled syringes."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

Enbrel (etanercept) "I started using Enbrel two years ago. I can still remember the first night I tried the medication. I woke up the next morning feeling like 25 lbs was lifted off me. I suffered since age 27 and now I am 40 and feel great! Remember to have your blood checked regularly to be sure all is normal."

• Ranjanb
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2015

Enbrel (etanercept) "I am suffering from AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis) for the last 25 years. My doctor (a rheumatologist) prescribed me Enbrel 50 mg weekly injection, which I continued for 1.6 years. The effect was great for the first 1-2 months but after that the effect of Enbrel plateaued. In spite of that I felt much better and started to lead a better life for the next 1 year or so. But the good news is that after a gap of one year (when I was without the injection) I found that my upper spine which was a bit bow shaped started becoming straight (not fully but to a great extent). That was really dramatic to say the least. I am grateful to this medication and will not mind taking it once again. One last thing, do not stop doing all the stretching exercises."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2009

Enbrel (etanercept) "34 yr old female, tried Enbrel for 5 weeks, it gave me a severe allergic reaction, hives, facial swelling, etc. Everything went back to normal after stopping the drug, but now I am weary of all biologics. This disease is a nightmare."

• Druza
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2014

Enbrel (etanercept) "I had been suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis for quite a number of years. I had tried NSAID's with very little improvement, therefore I had no option but to trial Anti-TNF therapy as a last resort. I had originally tried Humira without much improvement at all. I then went on to try Simponi, which improved my physical condition dramatically within the first day of the injection, however seemed to have a psychotic effect on my brain over the couple of months of been on it. I did recover once I stopped the Simponi. I then got onto Enbrel around sometime after and seemed to have improvement within a couple of days of having the injection. I did have itchiness which in hindsight was a minimal problem."

• James...
• October 13, 2016

Enbrel (etanercept) "I was officially diagnosed with AS in 2011 (at age 27) and started taking Enbrel. Enbrel did help reduce my pain after a few weeks but wrecked my immune system. If the flu was going around, I would be one of the first to get it. For a few years, I would take Enbrel to help with the pain but stopped during the flu season. This past year, I stopped taking Enbrel altogether because it was becoming less affective. I would recommend trying Enbrel if you have AS. I does help you, but might not be a long term solution for everyone."

• Kirov...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 22, 2017

Enbrel (etanercept) "After a battle with the local health authority I started to use the miracle drug Enbrel over 7 years ago and found immediate relief. I never took another of the numerous painkillers or other drugs I was taking until 2 months after I was changed over to Benepali in January 17. After complaining of Benapali not being as effective as Enbrel I had an appointment with the physio today, just 2 months since my last appointment. ALL of my measurements are lower than before i.e. I have lost movement and my pain scores have gone from all zeros to a mix up to 8. I'm hoping I can go back to Enbrel as it was so much more effective for me."