Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

well just got the ok from insurance for auto injector of enbrel..but my gp's nurse said the first injection should be given at the hospital..My rheumy never mention that..my last med was Humira and the nurse came to my house for the first injection.

After all the side effects i have had with meds am a little scared to start this enbrel...

Just wondering if anyone has given themselves the first injection with no assistance.

glad to have found this site through google..looking forward to readin the earlier post

I had to do the first inj at rheumy's office. No problem. I called it my miracle drug. I had to stop after 4th inj. But many, many folks have positive effects. I was not one.

There are many days I dream of how well it worked for me. It was like I went from RA to no RA. Absoluetly no symptoms after 2nd inj. A miracle.

I wish I could still take it. I have no regrets from using it. I had 3 beautiful weeks.

Good luck dear.

Hugs

Hi JC and welcome to the group. Sorry you need to be here but happy you found us just the same. You'll get some useful info here and don't be afraid to share your experiences either.

Hugs, Donna

thks bits and donna....somewhat fearful of this new med because of previous side effects from Arava 20 mths (permanent loss of taste and glaucoma)..Humira 3 mths but extremely sore lower back and no improvement of joints mobility.. so back on the despised cortisone..weight gain but hey a have a clean house with it )

Sorry JC, but do you mean Prednisone and not cortisone? I've only been on Pred and painkillers for a few months now after having MTX stopped for lab issues and waiting to get back to something so i can get off the Pred. I can def tell when i miss a dose or 2 from gerd or stomach upset. Only on 10mg so no weight gain thankfully. Actually, the weight loss is scary. All you can do is try the Enbrel and see what happens. Maybe it will be your miracle drug. Let us know how it is going.

Hugs, donna

yes prednisone..but i would like to know if anyone who is on enbrel had their first shot given by medical personel, nurse or drs...my gp won't give it to me because its not in her books..her nurse also does not want to inject me..both are not sure what they should watch for..I had my first Humira injection given by the nurse so am wondering if the first injection of enbrel must also be given by pros

I'm sure you'll get some replys when everyone starts getting on. I haven't made it past the MTX yet but have discussed the injectables with my Rheumy and it sounds like some they can do in his office, some can be done at home , and some have to be at hospital. Maybe it's the newer ones so you can be monitored the first time for early side effects.

thks i'll be more patient..its saturday morning and won't be able to call my rheumy nurse to find out why this as become an issue with my family doctor..it just causes me stress and makes me want to just quit trying these meds and stay on prednisone a couple of time a week when i need to either clean house or go do groceries...by the way is that safe..one day i'll take 15 mg and a couple of days later i'll take 10mg. the rest of the time is advil or tylenol..i do have dilaudid but i hate the feeling

Hi JC, welcome to our group. Im sure you'll like it here Im supposed to be starting Humira pen shortly, and my doctor will give me my first dose in the office. Im not sure why Enbrel would be any different. Maybe because it's a GP? He or she may not be familiar with it like a rheumatologist is, and may just not want to open themselves up to lawsuit. They're so afraid of everything these days. I'd bet that's all it is. Or maybe insurance won't pay them to do it because they arent specialists. Can you get your rheumy dr or nurse to give it to you?

Either way, I hope that this is the miracle drug for you, and that you'll find a lot of relief from it!!!! Let us know what your rheumy says

karen

Hi Jamie, i've never been on Enbrel, but it would seem to me they want to do the first dose at the doctor's office to check there aren't strong immediate side effects. And i guess your other doc is scared to do it because they don't know the med and they scared of lawsuits as Karen said. Don't you find that weekends are usually badly placed? one usually gets urgent questions or gets really sick on Friday nights.... Good luck and keep us posted!