Etanercept for Psoriasis User Reviews

• ste...
• March 3, 2010

Etanercept "I have been using Enbrel for about 2 years now and have been living a life that I never thought possible. I am active both socially and athletically (lacrosse). I would not have been able to do any of these things without Enbrel. I find this website to be a great avenue to post my thoughts and feelings about this miraculous drug. However expensive it may seem, this will undoubtedly CHANGE YOUR LIFE. I was on the verge of suicide every time I looked in the mirror. I was horrified at how my body had mutated into an unrecognizable state. My social life was ruined by a simple question, 'What the hell is all over your _____ (hands, arms, legs, face, scalp, palms, chest, back)? PICK ONE AND I'VE HEARD IT!'"

• sel...
• April 27, 2009

Etanercept "I just started Enbrel 2 weeks ago, and it seems to be working. I just wanted to let people know that there is a payment assistance program offered by the Enbrel manufacturer. I couldn't afford the medicine, but I contacted the manufacturer, and they gave me a card that helps pay for it. Look into that before giving up on the option of having this medicine."

• Enb...
• January 5, 2010

Etanercept "I have tried Enbrel for 9 months, and it worked great for both my psoriasis and the arthritis. BUT last July, I stopped using it because I wanted to get my wife pregnant. And to be sure there was no side effect from using it. And since I stopped using it, the psoriasis and arthritis have come back massively and seem worse than ever. This is a really bad side effect. Also, I have gotten some very weird infections/viruses, etc., that healthy people normally don't get. I have had Zoster shingles and parvovirus. These are immune-related illnesses, and they must have come because of the lowered immune system."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2009

Etanercept "I am 40 and have had psoriasis since kindergarten. I have tried every drug and treatment under the sun. I was hesitant to try Enbrel because of the side effects listed on the commercial. My psoriasis became so bad, after speaking with the doctor, who assured me side effects were rare, I tried it. WOW! I am in week five, and the psoriasis on my stomach, which was the most severe, is nearly gone. My rear end is clear. My scalp looks better. I have many, many small ones on my legs, and they aren't as red or as thick. My elbows still have psoriasis, but not as thick. The only side effect I can see is that my foot twitches every once in a while, and I can't honestly say it is the medication. I LOVE this. Only con, in the beginning, the injection hurt."

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2009

Etanercept "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."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2012

Etanercept "I was so glad when my doctor started me on the Enbrel shots. I wasn't sure it would work considering my body was totally covered. Although it started in my head, but it wasn't long before it made its way all over my body. I started the shots in Aug/2008, and by Nov/2008, I didn't look like anything was ever wrong with my skin."

• One...
• January 5, 2012

Etanercept "I have been on this medicine for just over a year now, and I call it my 'life saver.' I was covered to 90% of my body and was getting to the point of not going out anymore. Within a couple of months, the change was so noticeable that my friends and family were noticing and commenting on how good I was looking. This past fall, I joined an aqua-fit group. I've had absolutely no side effects, that is, except for better self-confidence, better outlook, more outgoing, and so much happier."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2010

Etanercept "I have had psoriasis since puberty, and for lack of a better term, it was a living hell. It covered 80% of my body. I started Enbrel 4 years ago, and I cleared up drastically within the first month. It was a miracle. The only side effect I encountered was during my blood work check-ups, my doctor noticed my ANA was high, which could indicate drug-induced lupus, so we kept a close eye on that. I am no longer on Enbrel because I got pneumonia last summer and couldn't take it while sick, and I never broke out the whole time I was off it. So they saw no need to go back on it. Since then, I have been experiencing breakouts again and wish to go back on, but it's not a large enough percentage covering my body to start it up again."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

Etanercept "I have stopped using Enbrel, and since that time, where I got the injections, I get tearing-like pains in the top of my legs. I have the arthritis also, and since I quit due to cost, it seems to have come back 100% worse than before the Enbrel. Can hardly walk, hands and wrist are swollen all the time, have lost movement in my right pinkie and ring finger first joint."

• ste...
• February 25, 2009

Etanercept "I am currently on Enbrel and have been for just shy of a year. It is an absolute miracle drug. I was completely unable to function with my severe plaque and guttate psoriasis. I am 21 and have been using everything on and off the market to try and clear it up. Even purchased a $5,000 UVB light system. If you need to get insurance to clear the Enbrel medication, you need to prove that your psoriasis is severe."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2009

Etanercept "I am on my fourth month of Enbrel, and it has been life-changing. I posted above that I have had psoriasis since kindergarten. I am 99% clear. I have three tiny patches left. I buy black clothes now. I no longer look over my shoulder to see if I am flaking, and I am considering getting rid of my bangs after 40 years because I can! Honestly, if you have psoriasis and a prescription plan, you MUST try this. My toenails are almost clear. I am thinking by Christmas I will be able to wear open-toed shoes. Seriously, my husband is self-employed, and we pay our own benefits, and he and I agreed, despite the expense, that Enbrel is worth it. I would be devastated if they took it away from me now."

• ann...
• February 8, 2009

Etanercept "My daughter used Enbrel for one month. We were given a free sample, it worked within three weeks, but we cannot afford to continue using Enbrel, our insurance will not cover it. Now my daughter has the sores back and is close to losing her job because of those sores."

• raz...
• May 5, 2011

Etanercept "I am a 53-year-old female having psoriasis since I was about 20. I started Enbrel 5 months ago, and after switching from the autoject pen to the powder you have to mix with sterile water, it made the shot painless, the preservative burns! I noticed a big difference in about 5 weeks and was totally clear everywhere until just recently. Now I am getting some small eruptions in the usual places. I work in a hospital and have never had issues with illness due to my immune system being compromised, so I am happy and plan on wearing shorts this summer for the first time in a very long time."

• NCY...
• August 17, 2009

Etanercept "This was life-changing to me. I have only had psoriasis for 2 years, but it took over my entire body and life. Without this medicine, I would have had to stop working and probably would have hidden from the entire world. Thank you, Enbrel."

• dix...
• December 19, 2010

Etanercept "I had psoriasis 50%-70%. I have 10% right now. I use Enbrel once a month. What I did is I quit eating all animal protein, citrus juices, and sweets. Avoid fats, butter, milk, eggs, meat, and poultry. Also, coffee. Search out and eliminate allergy foods. I will let you know when I reach my goal. 0% psoriasis."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2010

Etanercept "I have been on Enbrel for 7 years, and I have to tell you it is awesome. I am able to do things that I never thought possible again. I have had no side effects, and I only have to take a shot every 3-4 weeks to have it be effective. I will keep my fingers crossed that none of those side effects show up."

• Me...
• October 28, 2009

Etanercept "In 2005, after 20 years with plaque psoriasis, I began to experience severe body aches and pains. My dermatologist recommended Enbrel to treat both psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. I started it in September 2005. After 6-8 weeks, I had remarkable results, aches and pains ceased, and psoriasis plaques cleared. In May 2009, during a routine follow-up with my dermatologist, I complained of fatigue and other issues. They assumed it was not related to the Enbrel. Instead, intense thyroid testing was recommended. I was diagnosed with various thyroid nodules, a biopsy showed suspicious cells. My entire thyroid was removed in September 2009 - no cancer, hooray! Very scared to resume Enbrel after 8 weeks but feeling desperate. Aside from the cancer scare, the drug has worked for me!"

• Bar...
• August 18, 2010

Etanercept "I have had psoriasis for only about five years now, and seeing a dermatologist for four years. We tried everything, and then he suggested we try Enbrel. I used it for a total of 7 months with absolutely no results, in fact, it spread more. I was desperate to get rid of this, as both calves were covered, and it was painful. Finally, we went to Methotrexate, and it worked almost immediately! I take only 4 pills weekly now, and it is working like a dream."

• Mol...
• October 12, 2009

Etanercept "I have to post on this website. I started Enbrel, and after one treatment, I have considerably less redness already. I am really excited to see what will become of my skin in a month! I will keep in touch."

• Gwy...
• August 20, 2010

Etanercept "I have used Enbrel now for 4 months. This has worked for me for palm/plantar psoriasis in the following ways: - reduced the feeling of burning under the skin - reduced inflammation and leg swelling - I now wear a 7 shoe size instead of 7.5 - has not fully taken the psoriasis away, but keeps it under control - I can wear sandals - I have only minimal skin issues - on palms - minor itching - I wear vinyl gloves at night with Eletone cream on my hands. In two consecutive days, patches are 80% better - I still flare in cycles, but only minor areas on my palms and parts of both feet. I have previously tried Humira, Stelara, and topicals. I recommend Enbrel, but realize that you may need to go through all of the medications to see which will work."

• rmj...
• February 26, 2008

"I personally was very pleased with the Enbrel pre-filled syringes. They were very convenient to use. For me, initially, my psoriasis cleared up about 90%. I was very happy. I have a severe case of psoriasis. I was totally miserable with it. As with other medications of this sort, there is no guarantee of 100% effectiveness, and also the results diminish with time. I am personally very, very thankful that I was able to use the Enbrel pre-filled syringes."

• lhh...
• October 22, 2009

Etanercept "Been on Enbrel for 4 years. Was totally clear for 2 years when I got a kidney infection. Went off Enbrel for 8 weeks and had a couple of spots reappear on my calf. Back on 1 shot a week and it just will not clear up the calf again. Still worth it, but I thank the man upstairs for my insurance coverage."

• Ste...
• May 3, 2011

Etanercept "Annabamma - you need to PROVE beyond a shadow of a doubt that her psoriasis is debilitating. It must be SEVERE for them to cover the cost of the medicine. Moderate just won't cut it, it didn't in my case. I know it's easier said than done, but I let my skin get horrifically bad just to prove to my insurance that it should be covered. TAKE PICTURES and see several dermatologists until one considers it a MAJOR problem. Hope that helps."

• Anonymous
• May 21, 2008

Etanercept "Wonderful medication. Tried numerous meds with no results. After starting this med, within two weeks, I was almost totally cleared up."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2009

Etanercept "Works great and fast. Very expensive."