Enbrel and Pain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was on it for 15 years. It changed my life. I have psoriasis really bad. Thanks to Enbrel, no more psoriasis on my head, in my ears, legs, toenails, fingernails, etc. I also switched to Cetaphil to wash myself and Tide Free to wash my clothes. Completely symptom-free! Years later, I developed psoriatic arthritis as that’s very common once you have the psoriasis marker. Enbrel helped that as well. Now I have a new job and new insurance. They made me try Humira. It’s been extremely difficult for me and I’m having my worst-ever flare-up. I’m so sick right now. The pain is horrible! My doc is having me take steroids until I’m hopefully approved for Enbrel. I also have burning as a symptom. I feel like I’m on fire. The insurance companies care about money, not our health, unfortunately."

• Fut...
• May 18, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I had my first shot of Enbrel yesterday for psoriatic arthritis. I feel amazing this morning. I was able to get out of bed with no knee pain and hold my cup of coffee with no pain. The side effects I have read scare me, but I have to try. I am 51 years old and could not continue with that pain, still too young to deal with that. Oh, and let me tell you how I actually ran down the stairs this morning. I just pray this continues to help."

• sus...
• June 5, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I love this medication Enbrel! While I'm not a fan of needles, I happily do this one. I have gone from periods when I cannot even move a specific body part to almost no pain or inflammation whatsoever. I have the occasional flare in my fingers or toes, usually lasting a day or two. I haven't had a 'major' flare-up for a couple of years. I was diagnosed in 2010 with rheumatoid arthritis. Still working and doing whatever activity I want. Very happy with Enbrel."

• Mik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 5, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA when I was 13 years old and thought I would be wheelchair-bound or bedridden when I was in my twenties. When I started Enbrel, I can honestly say it's a miracle drug, minor pain. I can do anything now but run, and I'm 40 years old now. Great medication. Needle still hurts, but it's truly a blessing."

• Bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I used the Enbrel injection 3 times before I decided to not do the 4th injection. After the third injection, I had a giant, purple raised rash everywhere I had injected. Eight days after my third injection, I suffered a massive subdural hematoma (brain bleed). On top of that, the eight days after the 3rd injection, I had more body pain than I have ever experienced in my life. I would never advise anyone to use this medication!"

• des...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 22, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've had RA for 8 years. I still had much difficulty doing daily activities while on Methotrexate only. I've been on Enbrel for 15 months and now wouldn't be able to function without it. The Sureclick autoinjector is a convenient method of administration, but is always quite painful and fortunately over quickly. I'm so thankful to be on Enbrel."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 3 years. First on Methotrexate with Prednisone: got off the prednisone and went into remission after 8 months on Methotrexate. Had a flare a year ago and have been fighting it ever since. I took Leflunomide, then Xeljanz, and neither one worked, and I was having to take 40 mg of Prednisone just to handle the pain. Am now on Enbrel with Prednisone; started out at 40 mg of Prednisone and am now down to 10 mg after 5 weeks. I am having a lot of rheumatoid arthritis nodules that started appearing during the flare, but so far since Enbrel, there haven't been any new growths appearing. Nodules are causing more pain (probably due to pressure on nerves) in my wrists than the rheumatoid arthritis in my finger joints. Hoping the Enbrel will improve my rheumatoid arthritis joint pain in my hands over time."

• Eos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My hands have been deteriorating rapidly, they'd closed into a fist and could barely open them. Was in pain every day that only huge doses of prednisone (not prescribed) helped. A few days after my first injection, the pain was gone, and my hands opened up again. I'm hoping this continues to be the case."

• PPR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2014

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I'm diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Have only scalp issues and joint swellings and pain in legs, knees, ankles, hands, and fingers. Got approved for Enbrel and did, 2 weeks ago, the first shot. All went well, other than I got a cough, night sweats, and high blood pressure, which it controlled. The second shot gave me a small red stain after 3 days, of the size of a quarter, which grew to the size of my hand palm within a day. My cough is crazy and my throat is itchy. Blood pressure is high... I went to the doctor who told me I have to get off, I'm allergic to it, and a next shot could be life-threatening. Benadryl did not help, I got 20 mg Prednisone, and it's slightly got better with the redness and pain. I will be changed to Humira."

• deb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2013

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Enbrel is the first medication I've taken that's actually helped. After taking it for about 10 months with really good results, I had an Achilles tendon repair that was infected with MRSA during rehab. I had to take intravenous antibiotics for 8 weeks and had to go off Enbrel for several months. The pain from the rheumatoid arthritis came back 10-fold. I'm back on Enbrel now, but I find that it wears off by the 5th day, and by the time the week is over, I'm in misery with swollen joints. I don't know what I'd do without it - just wish it could work all week."

• Gui...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started it with the Enbrel SureClick 50 mg. I've taken Enbrel for 2 months. My finger pain seems to be going away. My doctor recently changed it to the mini SureClick. I find the injection to be painful. I didn't have this issue with the regular SureClick. I do like the lights and the sounds that let you know it's complete. I will continue taking it."

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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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, I was started on Enbrel. 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 effects thus far. Looking forward to my second injection this week and continued improvement."

• Sha...
• February 11, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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 are back."

• Lov...
• July 10, 2009

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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 were 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."

• inp...
• September 27, 2011

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My first injection of Enbrel caused me more pain and stiffness than I had before I used the medicine. The right side of my body and my hands hurt so much... happens to be the side I injected. No way is this for me, it made my skin red and so painful, my joints are stiff, and I have so much more pain. My scalp is much more itchy. Also gave me chills and made me feel like I had the flu. I wish I could find something to stop the pain and my joints from getting deformed."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2011

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "Enbrel most likely saved my life. Was eating less and 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 the day after starting it. First symptom was probably an iritis episode in 2000. Now 53 years old and only worry is how to pay for it with all the changes in medical coverage."

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

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "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."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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!"

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2009

For Psoriasis "I used Enbrel for psoriasis for a little over 2 years. I was eager to try something that worked since at that time, nothing did. It worked and continued to work. It was VERY expensive, and good thing I had insurance to cover it, or I would be back at square one, feeling and looking terrible. The needle is massive and hurts, but it was worth it 100%. After those 2 years, Enbrel started to NOT work, and my doctors upped my dosage 3 or 4 times, and finally I had to be switched since it just did not work anymore. I researched it, and I did read that after X amount of times some patients can and will become immune to the drug. This is what happened to me. I was devastated. So now I have to do IV treatments of Remecade every 8 to 10 weeks."

• Mag...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 15, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Have been on Enbrel for at least 10 yrs+. Have been using the new mini cartridge for about 2 months (did away with the 2-shot-a-week vial). I dread getting this shot once a week. Application is very easy to use, but the medication going into the area is extremely painful. I use an ice pack up to 1/2 hr before use, and it still hurts. Anyone else have this problem?"

• JAM...
• March 5, 2016

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I'm 37 and was always healthy and pain-free till 1 year ago. I started having pain in my feet and heels, and my stomach and bowels, it got worse gradually. I started having pain in my left wrist, ankles, knee, shoulders, and neck, even a couple of my toes also had a fever off and on. I had swelling and couldn't even walk. I had no idea what was going on till I went to a rheumatoid doc, and he found out I had ankylosing spondylitis. He started me on Enbrel, and I stayed off my feet for a week, resting my body. I got better and better every week, no pain at all. I just now am noticing my feet hurting, one knee, and my shoulders, and very fatigue. I'm praying that the medicine is still working. It's been exactly a year since I started the Enbrel."

• Suk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 1, 2013

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I'm using Enbrel since last more or less than 3 years. During this time, I was painless. It has stopped for the last 6 months. Now I'm suffering from pain, pain has started again after stopping it 2-3 months ago. As a result, I feel I should not stop it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2016

For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis "My experience so far with Enbrel has been just brilliant! This is coming from someone who at one point had to get lifted out of the bath, have someone wash my hair, get me dressed, and put my shoes on. I am currently taking the 50mg pre-filled pen, just about to take my third dose today. The effects so far have been excellent, and I have seen a huge improvement in the quality of my life! After 2 weeks of taking Enbrel, I have no stiffness in the morning, I can go a full day without taking ANY painkillers (prior to this, I had to take 2, 30mg codeine 4 times a day, followed by 2 500mg naproxen twice a day - just to function!!!) I have seen a big improvement in my hips (stiffness/pain), and the swelling in both of my knees has almost gone!!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2019

For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis "I can honestly say that this medication has improved my life better than anything else. I've been taking it for about 2 years. I take the shot once a week, and even if sometimes it can be a little painful, I can bear that for 10 seconds or less. I can do every sport I like. Also, I am on methotrexate, which is not such a pleasant medicine. At some point, I took 20 mg per week that made me vomit. After that, I've taken 10 mg per week, and it's a little better, but I still get nausea. Enbrel was a game changer for me, but I have to see how methotrexate is really working because I saw such horrible reviews that I got a little scared of what might happen to my body."

• van...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 17, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking this med for over 16 years, and it works great, but the company has recently stopped making the dosage you have to mix and has gone to prefilled syringes. It sucks, the needles are horrible, and it hurts to use this new kind. I do not recommend this if you can take another route. I am contemplating changing to another medication."