Etanercept for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews (Page 5)

• Rui...
• February 5, 2018

Etanercept "I've been on Enbrel for 3 weeks, and it's been a game changer to my life. I was on Methotrexate for 4 weeks and realized the pain did not subside. I'm hoping that this will last since I have experienced a few aches, but nothing compared to the pain I had before. One MAJOR downside: the injection is very expensive, especially since insurance companies in Asia do not cover this particular medicine."

• kas...
• September 13, 2016

Etanercept "I do have the medication with me (Enbrel), but I'm unable to pinch myself due to my damaged fingers because of arthritis. I went with a nurse to teach me how to do it, but it was impossible for me to grab the pen, I have no grip abilities. Tomorrow, I will see my R doc to see if I have other 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 wouldn't do it in the office? I'm willing to pay for this service since I can't do it. I need your comments, please?"

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

Etanercept "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!"

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

Etanercept "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."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2018

Etanercept "Just diagnosed with RA at 65 years old. The Enbrel is super expensive! Only on my third injection, but nothing positive yet. The actual injection hurts like heck, but only for about 20 seconds, which seems like minutes, then it's over with, but it really does hurt."

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

Etanercept "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?"

• sly...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2018

Etanercept "I've been on Enbrel and Plaquenil for about as long as I've been diagnosed, which is about 10 years. I've had surgery to remove cysts on my fingers, bottom, my cervical spine (kinda tricky). Tomorrow I go in to have a walnut-sized growth on my left chest wall. My fingers are deformed, numb, with episodes of Raynaud's."

• Hap...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 16, 2023

Etanercept "I have been on Enbrel for the last 14.5 years. I had to get off of it here these last several months due to new insurance. I'm not eligible for any assistance because I'm on the Market Place that gives me about a $100 discount. The foundation said I make too much money for assistance. With the economy the way it is, I barely squeeze by every month. During the last 3 months, the RA came back with a vengeance. I had forgotten how bad it was when it originally started, and this time it was actually worse. Not having access to Enbrel makes me not able to live a normal life. It is an amazing drug. Very scared as to what the future holds without this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 3, 2024

Etanercept "This is a very effective medication for me. I was on it for seven years, then was switched to other medications that either did not work or had intolerable side effects. As soon as I resumed Enbrel, my health stabilized (inflammation was gone)."

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 5, 2022

Etanercept "I took Enbrel for 1.5 years. Then took one shot of Humira. Before starting Enbrel, I took methotrexate. Enbrel worked great! Other than RA, I've always been healthy and had lots of energy. One weekend, in 2021, I started having pain in my left shoulder. I thought it was a heart attack. I went to the ER and was told it was a pulled muscle. Long story short, back and forth urgent clinic and ER visits, I found that I had an extreme bacterial infection on the outside of my lung. I had all sorts of tests to find out what was going on. I was in the hospital, in ICU, had surgery to remove the infection, a chest tube, was on a ventilator, and on oxygen for over one week. All of that, and I've always been healthy and never sick...other than RA. Another long story short...the Enbrel had compromised my immune system. A common bacteria had caused the infection on my lung. I cannot take Enbrel again...never want to go through that experience again! I'm looking for another option to help me."

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

Etanercept "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."

• Hav...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 21, 2014

Etanercept "Amazing. First one I used lasted for the longest time frame. Only thing was the shots were annoying. After the Enbrel, each one I used or tried, I had an allergic reaction to. About 6 different ones I finally gave in to the prospect of having a premed to help accept the medication. Currently on Actemra with premed of Solumedrol. Helped for about 10 months, the medicine was increased to maximum dose. 1st down and praying for continuing relief. I hope this helps. As each medication change, the sulfasalazine and methotrexate have always remained as a stable medicine treatment in my plan, with only one exception."

• Jan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 12, 2021

Etanercept "I had used Enbrel for over 19 years, and it has been effective at controlling my RA. They recently have discontinued the reconstitutable form of the drug I had been using. The new formulation, according to the company, has a lower pH, which means a higher acidity, and wow, does it BURN after injection. I had been delighted with the medication, but now the pain after injection is intolerable. I am talking to my doctor about alternatives."

• Nan...
• March 14, 2008

"I have had rheumatoid arthritis since the early '80s and have been on every drug there was. I started Enbrel as soon as it came in the country and have had wonderful results. I am no longer in severe pain, and my joints stopped swelling. I do have to watch for colds, because they go right to my lungs if I take a shot that week. This is the best drug on the market, now they need to bring down the cost! Very expensive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2022

Etanercept "I am a former athlete, and the onset of arthritis has been terrible for me. Sulfasalazine helped a lot, but then I had to have a new rheumatologist due to the retirement of the previous, and she recommended Enbrel, informing me I could discontinue the Sulfasalazine. This was a bad idea, substantial pain returned, which was alleviated by starting the Sulfasalazine again. I have no idea if this very expensive drug is worth the cost."

• Pee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2021

Etanercept "I have recently been diagnosed... It is only in this day and age that we, as patients, reach out to our doctors and tell them what medications we should be on because of an ad we saw on TV. My follow-up with the doctor is in one week when these decisions will be made. I have been watching pharmaceutical ads on TV much more closely these days. I will not ask my medical care provider to recommend Enbrel. The ads, as with many, many other like-minded ads for so many pharmaceuticals treating so many diseases or illnesses. Why should we, as real patients with real diseases, believe your ads full of 'actor portrayals' telling us how much better they feel and how improved their quality of life is? If I want acting, I will go to the movies. What would be so wrong with featuring actual patients on the actual medications telling us their true experiences?"

• RAw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2023

Etanercept "Prior to Erelzi, I had been using methotrexate and prednisone. Started fall of 2020. Within 1 month, my legs swelled to the point I could no longer walk. I developed nasty, oozing sores all over my massively swollen legs. The doctor advised me to stay on to see if it would get better. I immediately took myself off this stuff (Erelzi). Today (3 years later), I look normal again besides the scarring on my legs. I had to teach myself to walk again, but now I am running every day. I may be slow, but I get it done. I know people who have been helped by this medication, but for me, it was awful. I hope that if you decide to take it, you are one of the lucky ones. Also considering legal action. I have a strong, well-documented case. It is just hard to go back and relive what it did to me. It has already taken so much of my life. 1 is too high a rating for this... God bless."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2021

Etanercept "I started out on Enbrel with Methotrexate. The Methotrexate made me feel sick. My Enbrel was increased to 50 mg twice a week. Since then, I have been in remission. No need for Methotrexate. Now, after 3 years of twice a week, my insurance will not cover that dose. Since when could insurance companies prescribe? I am going to have to switch, and it is scary."

• aun...
• July 17, 2008

"I have been on the shots for 3 years now. I take them twice a week. While out of town for a family medical reason, I had to go without them for 2 weeks. I found I cannot live without it. I really feel that I would not be able to move had I not started the shots when I did. Now, back on them and will never go without them again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 30, 2021

Etanercept "Is there a drug that you can take with Enbrel that would help besides methotrexate? I love Enbrel, and it has helped immensely, but I was on methotrexate and another drug, and I had some bad side effects. Now just on Enbrel, but still pretty sore. Any advice? Thanks, Tracy."

• Eil...
• October 15, 2010

"I have been on Enbrel for 6 months - after spending 23 years on various other rheumatoid arthritis medicines and 10 years of steroids. I have been totally free of pain and stiffness. The only drawback is the injection from the pen 'hurts,' but it is a small price to pay. I sometimes get a small local reaction at the injection site. I am very happy with the physical results of this medication. I hope the cost will come down in the near future."

• lyn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2023

Etanercept "I have been in remission from my RA after starting Enbrel. I have had no problems or side effects, my question is, why does it take so many clicks for the applicator to deliver my medication? I use the Enbrel SureClick. It's like opening a can of biscuits, I never know when it is going to happen."

• Bil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 30, 2023

"I have/had been taking Enbrel for 15 years and am being forced to switch to a biosimilar drug called Erelzi. Enbrel was my lifesaver, as it looked like my next stage in life would be with a cane or walker. Within 3 weeks, nearly all my hip/joint pain was gone and I could return to all my outdoor activities, including walking golf 3 times a week on 7,000 yard courses. About 3-4 years ago, I had to have a spinal fusion done on L1-L5 in my lower back, but not due to arthritis. Then I started with RA in my finger joints, bothersome but not critical. I just increased my methotrexate up to 10. I am now after my 2nd week of Erelzi and it's not good. I live in Canada and we are being forced to substitute Erelzi for Enbrel, I guess due to costs and now take the Erelzi injections. The injection needle system is cumbersome and hurts for 5-10 minutes after. The arthritis in my hands has gotten much worse with Erelzi. Don't give up your Enbrel; it works and Erelzi doesn't."

• Mum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2013

"Over 10 years of pains in all joints, fatigue, fiery feelings and severe pain in feet, swelling of feet, skin problems, red eyes, neck and back pains, failing to sit or write or read, to mention a few. My life came to a standstill, can do nothing at all but eat and sleep until 4 years ago, finally diagnosed with MCTD. After so many other medicines, started on etanercept and continued on methotrexate and prednisone 6 months ago. Got back on my feet, though side effects of boils and many others. I find etanercept a God's answer for my healing. Due to the expense, stopped it for a month, symptoms all came back. I've resumed it but not sure if it's working, but will give it time. My only fear is the price of the medicine, meaning stopping again."

• Kjm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2022

Etanercept "I have been taking Enbrel once a week, 50 mg injection for seven years. This drug has been good to me. I could live with a lot of mobility and less pain. My arthritis started when I was 14, and I started on prednisone and gold pills. That treatment did not stop the progression, just helped me live. I then tried all the infusion medicines. They worked, just not very long. Enbrel has been the longest treatment that has stopped most further progression. I just turned 50, and I am starting to have more pain and realizing Enbrel is not working as well. I am so grateful for Enbrel. I am nervous about finding something new."