Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Can Enbrel Stop Working?

Hi, I don't post very often but I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer for me. Can Enbrel stop working after awhile? I have been taking Enbrel for about 7-8 months and lately I have been very very sore - almost like it use to be pre-Enbrel. I have been working a lot and I have been under a lot of pressure with a new teaching position but could stress make a person flare to the extent that the medicine does no good at all? For that matter - can a person flare for 6 weeks (and counting)? I would really appreciate any advice that you have. I've been rather depressed and this is not making things any easier. Now on top of everything else I'm worried that I'll have to stop taking the medicine that I once thought was a life saver.
Thanks, Stacey

Hi, Stacey:

I have read on the RA board that Enbrel does have a useful lifetime that varies from person-to-person. Apparently we develop antibodies to the drug and need to switch to Humira.

Teresa has been on Enbrel for five years, but on a reduced dosage, as I believe that she is sometimes on the London AS Diet, the purpose of which is just that--as an adjunct to drug therapy to allow them to work for longer periods. There are still, according to Ebringer, chemical mass action laws to obey: A set number of myriad millions of cells can be reacted with before either being swamped out by the offending immunoglobulin or our systems get wise to the invader and begin making anti-anti-TNF-a immunoglobulins.

I hope you soon find another drug that works for you just as well, and also you might consider the synergistic value of the AS Diet to hedge your margin of safety and prolong the beneficial effects,

John

"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?"
Charles Babbage

Stacey -

I had a similar situation recently with Enbrel. As it turned out I had a bladder infection which was taking my immune system out, once I was on the antibiotics my pain cleared up. You might want to call your doctor and see if there might be something else going on that is contributing to your pain.

Take care,



Allison