I'm going to be starting Enbrel later this week and I'm encouraged to hear that Enbrel is working well for some of you. I'm currently on Prednisone and Arava but they are no longer working and my morning and evening hours are very painful. I hope to have positive results with Enbrel and I'll let you all know.

Joanie

Is anyone that is taking the Enbrel or Humira injections on any other meds? I am still on the Methotrexate and Arava along with the Humira injections. I am hoping that since the Humira is really working well that I can get off of the Methotrexate and Arava. Has anyone ever done this and did well without the other meds? I would really like to get off as much of the meds that I can. If I have to be on them I will. I am not about to go back to the pain I was in.

I'm curious about that myself. My Rheumy is going to keep me on the Prednisone and Arava I guess until he sees how I do on the Enbrel. I would like to only take ONE med for a change.:confused:

I promised to report back after starting Enbrel. Well, I've been on it since Aug. 3rd. I'm due to take my 3rd injection later today. I'm still nervous about doing it myself so I bring it to work and I have very encouraging co-workers who help me through it. I'm going to start using the auto-injector next month which should be less stressful. I'm still on Prednisone and Arava along with Enbrel. I, too, have injection site reactions. My doc gave me the first shot so I could see how it was done. That was 2 weeks ago and that leg has a small red hot area. The shot I gave myself last week resulted in a HUGE red hot area. It started as a small black and blue the day after the shot and then 6 days later it's spread. It doesn't really bother me except that I don't think it should be there.

Bottom line - I'm feeling SOOOOOOOO much better!! I'm practically pain free! I haven't felt this good in a very long time. So it's worth a little red patch on my thigh. Good luck to all with whatever medication works for you!:wave:

That is great Joanie58. I too am so happy with the Humira injections. It has made a world of difference, not only with the pain factor, but my energy level has increased alot. I try not to over do it, but when you feel better you just want to keep going. My rheumy is slowly weaning me off the Methotrexate. Once we see how I do without it then he said we would talk about reducing the Arava. An injection every two weeks and no other meds......it's been so long I can't imagine it.

One question, what is an auto-injector? My husband gives me my injections. I think that I could do it (needles don't really bother me), but it burns so bad that I am afraid that I would back off injecting when the burn starts. I did put an ice pack on my leg prior to injecting and that did help alot. Also I think the area you wipe with the alcohol pad, let it dry a little after cleaning with alcohol before injecting. I think we were wiping with alcohol and immediately injecting, causing some of the alcohol to get in and burn.

Anyway, glad you are better!!!!