Explaining Enbrel

****I AM NOT A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR AN EMPLOYEE FOR ENBREL. I HAVE GONE TO THE ENBREL WEBSITE AND ACQUIRED THE INFORMATION AND MADE AN INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE.****

Being my husband, rheum and I decided that Enbrel would be the logical next step in my treatment, I decided to do a little research.

According to Enbrel's website, the biologic helps by minimizing the symptoms of the autoimmune diseases (pain, inflammation, fatigue) as wells and lessening the joint damage that can occur.

When the commercials are aired or are in magazines, a long list of "before you start <insert medication>, tell your doctor." Enbrel is not any different. Under the RA header there is a link for About RA that goes into detail about all the things you should advise your doctor about regarding your health. I am going to touch a few of them.

• TB - Even if you haven't been around anyone with TB or been anywhere where it is likely to contract TB, your rheum will more than likely perform the test. It doesn't matter if you are currently on a biologic and switching or starting fresh. I look at it as a safety net. Someone may have had TB or been near someone who did and just didn't show symptoms. Our bodies are prone to just about everything, so I am more than happy to get this test done as often as needed so I can start treatments.
• Illnesses, Infections, and Surgeries - having RD, out immune system is already compromised. Adding the biologic or DMARD to the mix will compromise it just a tad bit more. So, whenever in doubt, before taking the biologic, consult the doctor, who will tell you EXACTLY how to proceed with dosages.
• Vaccines - Talk to you doctor about being vaccinated, especially around flu season. Your rheum will advise you on your dosage and more than likely tell you that you should not receive any that are live vaccines.

Guess what?! There are side effects to taking Enbrel as well. I know, you just can't believe a medication would have side effects, but it's true. 

All joking aside now, there is a LONG list on the Enbrel Important Safety Info Page. 

I understand it is overwhelming, but try to look at it objectively. Every reaction to the medication that has been reported to doctors or pharmacists needs to be annotated in their documentation. 

The reactions that are repeatedly reported are deemed Common Side Effects. One of these happens to be redness or soreness where the injection was given. Not to make light of anything, but whenever we receive shots from doctors or nurses, we are told this. Even though I think it is common knowledge, I am still very thankful it is included, because some of us react that way where others never have, and it could come as a great surprise to those individuals.

Of course there are Serious Side Effects as well. Those are the ones that if you notice any of them, you IMMEDIATELY call your doctor. I will not go into any of these, they are on the above mentioned page and it has links that detail everything.

So, We have covered the "Make sure you doctor knows" and the Side Effects. It can't all be bad or scary, right? Let me dabble a bit on how it works.

Enbrel has a page for How does ENBREL work that allows you to select one of the following diseases so you can read how it will work:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Plaque Psoriasis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

It is my suggestion that if you are interested, to click on the link and select the desired category. I reviewed each one, and find it very helpful, informative and understandable. Also, on this page is a link to subscribe for information regarding this medication.

Vectra, RD, and Me

Vectra, RD and Me -- Sounds like the title of a song, but it isn't. It is the title of the next chapter of my RD life.

I saw my rheum yesterday, and received my Vectra results. I am in the "High" category, meaning my disease is very active. I guess it should not have surprised me too much because the past four to six months have not been pleasant. 

The big question: What do we do now?

Along with Methotrexate, I have tried Sulfasalazine, Cimzia, and Orencia so far. Sulfa worked for a while, but my inflammation levels began to increase. Cimizia came out with a free trial period, and it seemed to have not worked, and increased my skin irritation. Orencia worked. It did its job for two years. My rheum said I was fortunate to get to the two and one half years out of the treatment. I cannot do infusion, because my psoriasis flares and sometimes becomes infected. Also, with the children being in school, and loving to share the germs with me, I can't chance the infusion dosage. (No antibiotics while on the medication.)

So, my three choices (which all include continuing the Methotrexate):

1) Enbrel (weekly injection)
2) Humira (bi-weekly injection)
3) Xeljanz (daily pill)

The decision making process:

3) Xeljanz: Still new, side effects are increase in cholesterol and lipids, as well as the "normal" biologic side effects

2) Humira: "Normal" biologic side effects, however bi-weekly, meaning it is almost like the infusion situation. I would have to wait 2 weeks to be treated then 2 weeks after that to start the biologic again.

1) Enbrel: "Normal" biologic side effects, same routine I have now with Orencia.

So, we went with Enbrel as the starting point. Hopefully, if all goes as planned, I start it next Wednesday.

I will try to post more on my progress. I just figured hearing about my pain was just not necessary.