Hi Annabel,
I was on Enbrel for 3.5 months - but unfortunately it was ineffective for me.
The only things that happened to me were injection site reactions (the area where I injected myself got itchy and red and warm). It stopped happening after the 5th injection for me though. When I took my second injection, the previous injection site reacted as well, but these reactions normally only happen for the first month or so.
I did have a respiratory infection and a sinus infection as well. I did not take antibiotics because I did not think that it was severe enough to constitute me taking them. The other thing that I felt was that I was more fatigued. However, not everyone has this reaction either. I feel that people need to listen to their body really closely - if you are fatigued, lay down and rest for a bit, and then continue on with what you were doing.
I think that if your dad eats and sleeps well, I don't think that he should have any problems! It is good take take vitamins and eat plenty of fruit and veggies to keep the immune system up and fighting against invaders (like the cold virus), but I also think that everyone should do that!! Also, he needs to make sure he gets enough sleep... if your body cannot rest adequately then this will compromise the immune system as well.
That's about all that I can think of right now. Hope that helps!
Take care,
Trina
p.s. injecting yourself isn't all that bad. Just make sure that he lets the needle warm up to room temp. before injecting!! I didn't and it was a bit stingy when the stuff went in!! oops!
