So this morning I had my appointment with my rheumatologist’s nurse to check in since it’s be a month since I started Enbrel. I love the drug, but the injection site reaction has been getting more and more severe. I took a picture with me so I could discuss it with the nurse. The last reaction covered nearly the entire top of my thigh and lasted about six days. I’m due for my next injection tonight, and she has suggested that I take an antihistamine one hour prior to the injection and that I switch the injection site from the top of my thighs to my abdomen. We’ll see if that helps. That’s their first course of action in cases like mine. If that doesn’t work, unfortunately the choices from here are very limited. I’ve already tried MTX, Humira, and Simponi, and for various reasons, I’m not a good candidate for Remicade. This really sucks.
On another note, for a lark I used my husband’s portable EKG monitor and it flashed “Danger Will Robinson, Danger!”. Well, no, it didn’t exactly flash that, but it did say that I had a rapid heart rate and that I needed to see a doctor. I went through an EKG and stress test last summer, that came back normal, so I sent my list of symptoms with my husband who had his cardiology appointment this morning. So next week I get to go get checked out by the cardiologist. He suggested to my husband that it might be something as simple as getting me on an exercise program. Well, yeah, that would probably help. What I need is a job where I don’t work 12 hours a day so I can find the time and energy so I can work out. This being a corporate mogul is not what it’s cracked up to be.
So we’ll see. I’ll update the blog when I know more. Hope your day is going better than mine.
Thanks for checking in.
Sorry to hear your day didn’t go so well. I hope that a combination of antihistimine and rotating injection sites takes care of the problem for you. And that you’re feeling well soon. Hang in there!
I have been on Enbrel for 2 years after trying just about everything else. My advice as far as injection reaction would be as follows:
1) Ice the site 20 minutes before and after the injection.
2) Inject only your abdomen rotating back and forth (I had terrible issues when I injected my thighs)
3) I am not sure what type of syringe you use but if you are working the plunger, use a slow and steady injection versus a quick burst.
Hope this helps,
Kevin: Thanks for letting me know this works for you. Actually, that’s exactly what I did last night. I used to use the ice when I was on Humira, so I added that to the routine last night, and I switched from the top of my thighs to my abdomen (also like Humira). Injecting without the ice and in my thighs really stung, but I didn’t have any issues at all with pain using the ice/abdomen regimen.
So far so good, but the previous issues occurred about 12-18 hours after the injection. It wasn’t until I got up and was dressed in my office clothes and started daily activities that the rash appeared. I don’t know if the irritation of the clothing aggravates it or what.
I appreciate the advice. Since you’ve been on Enbrel for 2 years, it sounds like it is working for you. It works for me as well if I can just get the rash under control.
All the best – C
Carla
I have been very happy with Enbrel. In the past I have taken methotrexate (horrible), Humira and other meds. I am 51, first received my RA diagnosis 10 years ago, I work in a high stress profession (trial lawyer) and what I like to tell people is that we all have our crosses to bear and compared to many things that others deal with, mine is just not that bad. I am convinced that my excercise regime keeps me moving. I swim 8 to 10 thousand yards a week and try to hit the gym 2 to 3 times a week. The thing that bothers me the most is fatigue. Some nights when I get home I am just spent. Thanks for your blog… I like the fact that you are both upbeat and informative. So many folks just want to dwell on the negative. We all just have to play the cards we were dealt!