Enbrel for Ankylosing Spondylitis User Reviews

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2019

"I was going to the doctor for joint pain for a long time. Finally, my primary recommended me to see a rheumatologist. Visited her for several months before putting me on Enbrel for the ankylosing spondylitis. I feel like a new person. No pain, increased activity, and loss of 25 pounds, a well-needed loss. I am so happy. I also get the flu shot, and so when flying, I increase my over-the-counter probiotics and immune meds (Airborne) so I don’t get sick. Been on Enbrel for 6 months."

• Lsn...
• November 3, 2013

"Tried Enbrel several years ago. Took 3 months to notice positive changes and took 6 months to feel very good. After a year of feeling good, I stopped taking it due to fear. After a year I was miserable. It again took 3 months to think I was getting better and in 6 months I felt great. Just want some people to know it isn't always a quick-acting drug. Be patient. But the drug makes me feel almost normal and not a person with aches and pains in dozens of places in my body."

• joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2013

"I have been taking Enbrel for 6 months now, and I haven't looked back. The side effects have been minimal. Without Enbrel, I am quite sure I would be in a wheelchair. I was getting very depressed, I couldn't live a normal life, and I couldn't walk. I would shuffle around and in great pain also. I can 100% recommend Enbrel to sufferers of Ankylosing Spondylitis. I was very scared of giving myself an injection every month, but the discomfort is minimal. I wouldn't care if it cost me $1000 per month, it is well worth it."

• Nav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2012

"I suffered for 10 years not knowing what was wrong. Ankylosing spondylitis was taking my life in a painful way. Enbrel has been like a miracle, the pain was gone after the first day. If you are still suffering and other medicines are not doing the trick, ask your doctor to put you on Enbrel. After taking it for 6 weeks, my ankylosing spondylitis is 90% better. I'm 44 years old and bought an off-road dirt bike and go out riding as often as I have time now. The only pain I have now is the bruises."

• sky...
• October 15, 2015

"Experienced 95% relief 24 hours after my 1st injection. I just had my 3rd injection and feel amazing. Before Enbrel, I was taking 18 extra strength ibuprofen daily and was still in pain at times throughout the day. Enbrel gave me back my life. Every morning when I wake up and have no excruciating stiffness and pain, I almost cry. It's almost like I'm dreaming, and it's just a matter of time before the pain returns. It hasn't. Thank you, Enbrel."

• Sas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2016

"OMGosh, my friends... Enbrel is my lifesaver! I have been 6'2'' tall since the 8th grade, then... I think I stopped growing (up, anyway - lol:) I am 57 yrs old now, diagnosed with AS some years ago, and I am now... maybe... 4'2'', if I'm lucky. If it weren't for Enbrel, I would be in a wheelchair, no doubt in my mind! If it weren't for my stubbornness (lol:) I'd already be in one. I could go on and on... and on - lol:) Just... PLEASE... IF you are suffering from arthritis of ANY kind, please ask your Dr about Enbrel, or... some other biologic that might be the perfect med for you. Hey, it's worth a shot! HA:) (pun not intentional, but... pretty good) Have to keep smilin'. One day at a time! Good luck, my friends:)"

• Ivf...
• July 18, 2018

"Last 3 months of use, I developed neuro problems, tremors, urine issues, skin issues, and seizures 2 to 48 hours after injection, began walking with a list (tilted, off balance), became confused, locked myself in a closet for 2 days. Would turn on burners then go back and forth forgetting to get food out of the fridge. Family demanded I stop. After Enbrel, I had 4 weeks of elevated blood pressure 160 over 95 and a pulse of 90. My BP for 15 years has been 120 to 130 over 70s and a pulse in the upper 60s. Urine turned dark brown and had a smell so horrid I would retch. My liver, prior to stopping Enbrel, enlarged further, as did my spleen. Enzyme levels skyrocketed and bilirubin levels went from .5 prior to out of range 1.7. Platelet levels dropped from low 120 ml per to less than 80 ml per. Have regained memory but still have tremors, have lost 45 lbs in a month with no end in sight. Still have neurological issues and walk funny. Enbrel wrecked my body, and Amgen is not interested in what happened."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 18, 2012

"I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis about 2 years ago after experiencing severe stiffness in the neck and shoulders. I could barely turn my neck at all. Within a couple of weeks of taking Enbrel, I was fully flexible and back to my rightful age of 27. 2 years on, and I even sometimes forget I have this illness. I recently stopped taking it for 2 weeks, and I soon found out what wonders it was working! It is incredible."

• Pey...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2019

"I have been on Enbrel for about 4 years for ankylosing spondylitis. At first, it worked well with no adverse reactions. About 1 1/2 years ago, I began developing stomach issues. Eight months ago, those issues were diagnosed as Crohn’s disease. I have researched whether or not Enbrel can cause Crohn’s or colitis, and some studies indicate it can. Wish I would have known that going in. My doctor wants me to switch to Cimzia, but I honestly feel that long-term all of these medications are poison."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2010

"Have had Ankylosing Spondylitis since 17, never knew that until 3 years ago. Just thought I had a bad back, knees, and shoulders. Had one of my 'episodes' that didn't pass in 3 weeks, went to Doctor, gave all my symptoms, he asked if I ever had X-rays of my spine. Yes, I had, but not the right area, and there was all this fusing and calcification in my lungs, did some tests, and a referral to a Rheumatologist, findings of AS and Fibromyalgia. Enbrel has saved my life, I am allergic to NSAIDs, so no help there, but with Enbrel at 48 years, I feel I have this disease, not that it has me. Still have some bad days but am able to hold a job and have a life."

• ste...
• January 13, 2009

"I have taken 3-4 semi-effective anti-inflammatory medications in the past. Some made me nauseous and dizzy, but Enbrel is the first to make me feel 99% normal. My energy level is much higher than it was. I don't walk around like an old man anymore (I'm a 37-year-old female), and I can do yoga, aerobics, etc. The only side effect I have noticed is about 10 lbs weight gain over the past year, but I am going to work on more exercise/less evening snacking and see if that can keep it in check. At least now I have the energy to exercise when I need to. Before, it was too daunting."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2011

"Enbrel most likely saved my life. Was eating less and less due to pain in jaw. Range of motion loss in neck, hip, jaw, and back largely regained after taking Enbrel. On it for 6 years. Pain went away the day after starting it. First symptom was probably an iritis episode in 2000. Now 53 years old and only worry is how to pay for it with all the changes in medical coverage."

• hag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2013

"I started just yesterday. It's 36 hours later. I feel like 200 lbs lifted off me in the last 3 hours. I can move! I'd tried Remicade... had a terrible reaction/anaphylactic reaction, and it did nothing for me. So far, this is a miracle, I hope this continues."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 1, 2013

"I have ankylosing spondylitis, it was so bad that I couldn't get out of bed and just got worse. Started Enbrel, it would work for about 4-5 days, then stop. I took it weekly. I stopped and tried Humira for 6 months and it didn't work at all, so went back to Enbrel, and it's working like it used to. It doesn't make the pain totally go away, but it is bearable. Can't comment on price because I receive it from the VA."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2013

"I am 14, and I have been diagnosed with arthritis. Enbrel helped me for about a month or so, but recently I have started feeling the pain again. I cannot get out of bed in the morning anymore. When I take the injections, it hurts really bad."

• RAA...
• November 8, 2010

"Amazing medication in its capabilities. The challenge is staying healthy and avoiding infections, specifically sinus infections for me. It has been a miracle drug, and I hope to continue using it because it's given me back my life."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2010

"Even though I take the Enbrel in addition to diclofenac and sulfasalazine, adding it to my drug regimen has been a small miracle. The day following my first dose was as if I had lost 25 pounds, moved to sea level, and it was summer all year long. My energy level has increased, I have no morning stiffness at all, and I can hike, carry a 25-pound backpack, and knit. I have been using it for 4 years, and it has not changed its positive effect on my disease. I feel very badly for those who are allergic to it or have built a tolerance to it. Humira did nothing like this for me, and I cannot afford Rheumacaid."

• smc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2015

"Oh my god! This medication is amazing. It's turned me into a brand new person. The debilitating swelling/stiffness in my knees, pain, and grinding in my shoulders are entirely gone. The stiffness and lack of movement in my spine are very slowly getting better. I've been on it for 3 weeks, and I'm so much better. It took a very long time (3 years) and 6 rheumatologists to finally get a doc to agree to trial me on a TNF inhibitor. The injection site reaction is super sucky. I have a big red itchy/burning rash where I inject for 3-4 days after. I've made up a great cream to treat the symptoms, but I'm gonna ask the doc if I can switch to prefilled syringes."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

"I started using Enbrel two years ago. I can still remember the first night I tried the medication. I woke up the next morning feeling like 25 lbs was lifted off me. I suffered since age 27, and now I am 40 and feel great! Remember to have your blood checked regularly to be sure all is normal."

• cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2021

"I was diagnosed at 23 (now am 35) with AS. Had some of the worst pain ever experienced in my early 20s. I was lucky enough to be prescribed Enbrel when I was around 27, which was covered by my insurance. After my first injection, it gave my life back. No more popping half a dozen NSAIDs daily and still experiencing pain. However, I was sent to work overseas for one year, and after arriving home, I found out that I had to reapply so that my insurance would cover the costs. I have been trying for the last two years, but my inflammation numbers are just not as bad as my first application. Ah...if only I had planned ahead."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2015

"I am suffering from AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis) for the last 25 years. My doctor (a rheumatologist) prescribed me Enbrel 50 mg weekly injection, which I continued for 1.6 years. The effect was great for the first 1-2 months, but after that, the effect of Enbrel plateaued. In spite of that, I felt much better and started to lead a better life for the next year or so. But the good news is that after a gap of one year (when I was without the injection), I found that my upper spine, which was a bit bow-shaped, started becoming straight (not fully, but to a great extent). That was really dramatic, to say the least. I am grateful to this medication and will not mind taking it once again. One last thing, do not stop doing all the stretching exercises."

• Ore...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2015

"I am a 46-year-old female. I had my first flare at 19, but doctors couldn't figure out what it was. I wasn't diagnosed until 5 years ago. I have steadily gone downhill since the diagnosis. They tried me on all the medications they could before starting TNF blockers. I was put on Humira first, and although it made me feel somewhat better, my back measurements were getting worse. Then the rheumatologist changed it to Enbrel. I had terrible site reactions from Enbrel and also tremors. I now have a prescription for Simponi, but I can't start it until I finish a round of antibiotics for sinusitis and bronchitis. I'm so happy to read that some people are getting help from some of these medications and hope that Simponi is my answer to prayer and I'll get my life back!"

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2009

"34 yr old female, tried Enbrel for 5 weeks, it gave me a severe allergic reaction, hives, facial swelling, etc. Everything went back to normal after stopping the drug, but now I am wary of all biologics. This disease is a nightmare."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2010

"I was diagnosed with AS about 8 years ago. I have been on Enbrel for approximately 7 years, except when pregnant or breastfeeding. Enbrel worked wonders for me. I felt great! Unfortunately, it looks like I have become allergic to something (probably preservatives) in the injection. I had a several allergic reactions about a month ago, and my doctor switched me to Humira. I just took my first injection this past week, and so far so good. Hopefully, I won't have a reaction like I recently experienced with Enbrel - keeping my fingers crossed!"

• joe...
• May 26, 2015

"I started Enbrel for AS 19 months ago. I had been diagnosed 46 years ago and had been taking Indocid SR, and then when they stopped making the SR version, switched to Voltaren. Even taking these potent drugs, I was still with pain and problems as they only masked the symptoms. Within 6 hours of my first shot, I was pain-free, and within 2 weeks, I was playing tennis again. I must say, though, that I do get sharp pains in my feet occasionally, and I have put on about 20 lbs., all on the lower belly, which my rheumatologist told me was a possible side effect. Another thing is my finger joints feel weaker, and I am having a bit of insomnia. But being pain-free has helped my quality of life. I joined a study group on it and share info with others in it."