Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Who's on Enbrel

Hi, Dan,

It sounds like your problems may be from past mechanical damage. I find that I can only walk about 10-15 minutes at a time. We joke that it's my joints overheating, but I think it's mechanical damage and something that I'll have to live with. But the Enbrel has kept my flares under control and I have had no iritis flares either. Before Enbrel, I lived on Vicodin and Percocet, had 4-5 iritis flares/year, and lived in a wheelchair.

I had results almost from the first shot and continued to improve for several weeks. I have stayed at that level ever since. I wish you wonderful results and that you feel sooo good you'll want to ride the roller-coaster with Betty.

Hugs,

Cindy

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

HI Betty,
I believe your right. I walk about 10-15 minutes and I am hurting big times. It feels like they(from my SI joints to my ankles) hurt so bad. I have to sit down. It feels like they are just no cushion on the ankle, SI. I just want to come home and lie down. I will see about the flare-up. The last one was from Oct 12 to Nov 07 this year. I started the Enbrel right after that. My last Iritis was this year around Feb. And I believe I was starting just before Dec 2.....I started the drops but I didn't go and see my Opthamalogist....I just quit the drops last week. I can sleep better but I am still having the numbness on either side that I sleep. Both my arms then the legs. And I still hurt on my hip bones. Oh well, I still give God thanks for letting live this long. And thanks for letting me see all the wonders I got to see while I was in the Navy and hopping all over Europe. My eye is all better. I was getting a flare-up every six month alternating AS and Iritis. I just reaaalllly hope Enbrel does the trick. Thanks for answering. And God Bless you. Merry Christmas......
Dan

Well I got my first shot of Enbrel yesterday and within three hours I felt better - amazing!! my Rheumy told me that if it works you will feel like you have been blessed by Jesus. And for the first time in many years my body feels like it is at peace with itself. I still have pain from mechanical damage, I expected that after 40 years of having AS, but the inflamation has reduced dramatically. I am looking forward to more injections to see if it gets any better, but even if it does not what it has done is wonderful.

Harry
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey;
we are spiritual beings on a human journey.
Teilhard de Chardin

Harry,
That's the way to think. I am on my 12 shot and the only thing is the mechanical damage to my SI and Hip joints. Its funny to feel a difference kind of pain now. But the shots are worth it. I just hope that my rhuemy sees some difference and that they work. Last time that my rhuemy put me on Kineret shots after three months he took me off. Then he put me on Enbrel. I have to put my faith on him. He can tell. Ok Harry. Just keep us posted. Oh....do one think for me....when you have the time....close your eye and tell me what you see in total darkness.......Let me see if your having something I am noticing after taking Enbrel shots....or maybe it was there all this time and I didnt notice it before......May you have a wonderful and painless Christmas.....
Dan

Hi,

I knew I would probably be bothered with mechanical damage. I only hope the Enbrel keeps me from getting any worse. On some of these cold mornings, my hip feels like a toothache, but even that's not as bad as it was before.
The best part of Enbrel for me has been getting rid of the morning stiffness. It was with me always before Enbrel. I moved like a robot, slow and painful. Now I'm just barely stiff, and I can stretch and it's gone. Just what this morning person needed.

Hugs,

Cindy

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Yeah, Harry! I do so pray that it continues to help you!

40 years! Yikes!

Best regards,

jcwinnie

Hi Dan,
Well I tried to see something with my eys closed but nothing remarkable. Thanks for the encouraging words and I hope you have a painless and wonderful Christmas as well.


Harry
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey;
we are spiritual beings on a human journey.
Teilhard de Chardin

Hi Cindy,
Yes there is still some pain in my lower spine that disturbs my sleep and that pain is no better than before. I also still have headaches which were a real big problem before but now they are much less painful. I am hoping that they will go away with additional shots. How long did it take for you to reach your maximum improvement? That is a question that I forgot to ask my Rheumy. I hope you have a beautiful and pain free Christmas.


Harry
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey;
we are spiritual beings on a human journey.
Teilhard de Chardin

Hi JC,
Yes 40 years is a long time to be in pain, but somehow you learn to deal with it. Not that it is easy, but there are always blessings we can count. I try to focus on them and it helps me keep a balance. Thankyou for your pray and I wish you all the best this holiday season.


Harry
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey;
we are spiritual beings on a human journey.
Teilhard de Chardin

Hi Harry,
Thanks, I just keep seeing like little lighting inside my eyes when I close them. I didn't know if its the Enbrel side effects or just something I had from all the Iritis flare-ups. Thanks any way. My pain in my hips and SI joints are still there. Since starting on the Enbrel thou I have less pain. Some nights are still more painful then others. I also noticed that I have been having headaches more often. The neckpain come and go still. I just feel a little better since starting Enbrel. Good Luck on your shots.
Dan