Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications How long b4 Enbrel started working 4 you?

Sorry if this question has already been asked but, how long did it take b4 Enbrel started making any difference (good or bad) to you?
I had my 1st shot last night and so far have felt nothing different at all....

Thanks,
Sue

11 days to barely feel the first hint of something going on, a month to know it was really doing to do something, and 2 months for the full effect. It did give me a scratchy throat for the first 6 months too, making me think I was going to come down with something, but I never did. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of those instant responders.
The waiting is the hardest part, but you'll get there! Hope it kicks in soon!
Did you do your own shot or did you have help? Are you on the 25 or 50mg shots?

Hi Sue,
I felt an improovement after te third injection, nothing before that. I went to bed and woke up after the third injection and simply got out of bed, no struggling to roll over, it was great.

Janet

Hi Janet,

Thanks for your info. Glad to hear it started working for you after only 3 weeks Can't imagine how good it must feel to just be able to get out of bed with no probs! Fantastic!
Actually, I think I may be noticing a very slight improvement in my hands and feet 2day (1st injection was Thurs eve), but perhaps that's just wishing thinking.....?
How long have you been on it now, and did it keep on improving for a while after the initial o/night? (Sorry for all the questions!)

Thanks,
Sue

Hi Megan,

Well - I guess 11 days isn't too bad.....Was that after 2 shots? As you said, I think the waiting is probably the worst part?
So far, the only thing I've really noticed is worsening of the runny nose - it's already bad with the MTX but now it's running like a tap!!

How long have you been on it now? The scratchy throat must have been a worry....at least it didn't turn into anything worse, luckily. (Fingers crossed!)
Are you still on it? (Sorry if you've already mentioned this somewhere else, but I get confused as to who's done what etc.)

I'm on 50mgs shots - only had one so far. Had to get hubby to help as my hands are too stiff and sore to do all the fiddly prep and then push in the needle. (Maybe I should ask for the other one in a pen? Might be easier....?) I got him to do it into the back of my arm, and didn't even feel it! (Hopefully, if and when it starts working, I will be able to do it myself.....)
I haven't had any probs (so far - touch wood!) with reactions or pain afterwards, thankfully.
What doseage are you on, and how often? Do you do yours yourself?

Thanks for all your help. Sorry about all the questions

Sue

Hi Sue,
I had to stop taking it because I couldn't sleep and gained ten Ibs. I was off of it for four months and had still good relief for three of those months. It can last in your system for up to four months. I just started back on it four weeks ago, and noticed a little improovemt. You won't get any site reactions until it starts decreasing your immune system and the your injection sites will get red,like a hive and itchy. That is when you will notice it is really working. That happened on the fourth week for me.Some folks take months to noice a difference.

Janet
P.S
It really is very exciting when yo really start to improove. Try to get all the things done that you have put off. I cleaned my ouse from top to bottom. We also took a nice cruise.

I have been doing Enbel since September 2006 and noticed an improvement within hours.....even regained some mobility in my neck. Everyone is different in how long it takes for the juice to kick in.....but think good thoughts and keep with it.

Hi Sue,
I havn't posted for a while, my son Mike has been on
Enbrel for three years, and his AS is now in remission.
He noticed a slight improvement after the second shot,
with in one month he could not believe how easy it was for
him to get out of bed. He goes to his Rhumey every four months, and all of his measurements have been the same
since taking Enbrel.


The down side for him his been that he got Pneumonia once,and had to have some moles removed from his back and
they were cancerous. That has made us to think about whether
he wants to continue taking it. He prefers the two 25 mgs.
twice a week.
We hope it has worked well for you.


Good Luck, Maxine

Hi Maxine!

Thanks for your post. How are you these days?

Delighted to hear how well Enbrel is working for your son, but sorry about the side effects. There always seems to be a downside doens't there, unfotunately?
Does his rheumy think Enbrel is responsible for his cancerous moles?
No wonder he's having 2nd thoughts now - what a shame.....
Will he try one of the other "biologicals"?

I can imagine how easy it would be/is to blame everything on Enbrel. I only had my 1st shot last Thursday night and already have noticed things like worsening of insomnia (especially after taking MTX as well?!).
Does your son take MTX too?
How did he decide on the twice-weekly injections, rather than the 50mgs once a week, which is what I'm on atm?

Sorry for all the questions

Thanks again for your help.

Sue

Hi Percy,

Within hours?! Wow! That's amazing! Hope it keeps on working for you

Thanks for your post. Good luck,

Sue