Enbrel for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews (Page 3)

• Raf...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2013

"On starting the self-injection Enbrel, it took six weeks to take the pain away. Enbrel, if I had it prescribed twenty years ago, my life would not be wheelchair dependent. My life is anything but painful. I can take part in daily life, enjoy all that can be given."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2014

"I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 3 years. First on Methotrexate with Prednisone: got off the prednisone and went into remission after 8 months on Methotrexate. Had a flare a year ago and have been fighting it ever since. I took Leflunomide, then Xeljanz, and neither one worked, and I was having to take 40 mg of Prednisone just to handle the pain. Am now on Enbrel with Prednisone; started out at 40 mg of Prednisone and am now down to 10 mg after 5 weeks. I am having a lot of rheumatoid arthritis nodules that started appearing during the flare, but so far since Enbrel, there haven't been any new growths appearing. Nodules are causing more pain (probably due to pressure on nerves) in my wrists than the rheumatoid arthritis in my finger joints. Hoping the Enbrel will improve my rheumatoid arthritis joint pain in my hands over time."

• abl...
• October 13, 2010

"I have been on Plaquenil, methotrexate, and several other medicines since I was diagnosed with RA 10 years ago. Nothing seemed to work, had trouble just brushing teeth, brushing hair, and the smallest task. Then, 3 months ago, they put me on Enbrel, and boy, what a big difference it made. Now I have my life back."

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2008

"I have used Enbrel for more than a year to treat rheumatoid arthritis. I have had no adverse reactions to the injections and have been pain-free/symptom-free since the third day after my first injection. I have used both the pre-filled syringe and the pen, both are fairly easy to use, but the pen is by far the easiest between the two."

• Pha...
• April 7, 2017

"I was diagnosed with RA 20 years ago. Never had any serious issues that I could not easily live with until one year ago in February. Had a severe flare in shoulders, hands, wrists, and other areas. I was put on methotrexate, sulfasalazine, prednisone, and Plaquenil. Also had several steroid injections. I also needed to take Aleve on a regular basis. I started Enbrel 5 weeks ago. Remarkable results. Haven't taken an Aleve since. I have stopped methotrexate, which was giving me a chronic cough. I feel much better."

• Dai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 7, 2019

"My daughter was diagnosed with RA at the age of 8, after severe pain in most of her joints, including jaw, fingers, elbows, neck, knees, hip, ankles, and swelling around knees. At that point, she even struggled to walk. She was prescribed Methotrexate by NHS in the UK, which didn’t seem to change anything and had terrible side effects. She was then injected with Enbrel in each of the 23 affected joints, which had an immediate effect, and she was able to walk and was in a lot less pain in a matter of days. She was put on weekly Enbrel injections and has been on it since, 10 years now. We tried taking her off twice after arthritis went into remission, but both times it came back. Enbrel has been life-changing for us, and I am grateful to the UK government for covering the cost, and now for having an insurance also covering the cost in the UAE."

• The...
• June 3, 2013

"Rheumatoid arthritis for 22 years. Misdiagnosis when the disease presented, 6 years of damage until correct diagnosis. Damage not able to be reversed. Taking Enbrel. I have tried Remicade, was in trials for Orencia, but Enbrel seems to be the one that works better for me."

• Eos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2017

"My hands have been deteriorating rapidly, they'd closed into a fist and could barely open them. Was in pain every day that only huge doses of prednisone (not prescribed) helped. A few days after my first injection, the pain was gone, and my hands opened up again. I'm hoping this continues to be the case."

• Mik...
• November 1, 2024

"Came down with RA back in 2017. Refused biologics b/c of cancer danger for about 2 years. That was a mistake. MTX was no help. Got by on ibuprofen and Tylenol. Started Humira in 2019. Miracle drug. All symptoms gone after 1 shot. However, Humira quit working during 2024. Doc put me on Enbrel. It did not work overnight (like Humira). However, after 2-3 months I am again symptom free. Just turned 60 and feeling great. I can even bench press over 180 pounds, walk 5 miles, and swim using butterfly stroke. Don’t be afraid of biologics."

• fri...
• March 27, 2017

"I had one injection of Enbrel in the Dr. office two weeks ago. It did such a great job on my knees, there was no pain, no swelling. I felt normal for a change, I could not believe this drug could do so well. I will finally be starting my weekly injections tomorrow. Boy, am I ready! The side effects scare me a little now that I have read these reviews."

• dgs...
• December 2, 2008

"I'm 75 years old, and I've had RA since 1995 and was on almost every medicine you can think of for RA. My morning stiffness lasted almost all day and was getting worse. My doctor finally started me on Enbrel and Methotrexate almost two years ago, and I could almost jump out of bed in the morning, and I've been good ever since. However, the high cost ($1,500 per month) will eventually use all of my retirement savings, and then if I don't find a way to pay for it, I'll have to give it up and go back to my old miserable self."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2019

"Diagnosed with RA at 22 years. Started with Plaquenil, then added methotrexate. Took some time to get the dose right due to nausea. That combo helped for 2 years. Then added Enbrel. It helped immediately but still had problems, so added Meloxicam. Prednisone as needed for flare-ups. After serious ulcers, I stopped the Meloxicam and prednisone. Enbrel only worked for 1.5 years. After I'd been on it about a year, it started wearing off. I would inject every week, but the meds would only last about 5 days and then I'd be disabled until it was time to take my next injection. Finally, it stopped working altogether. Just switched to Humira, still taking Plaquenil and methotrexate. Many illnesses due to the compromised immune system and extreme fatigue, but my RA is so severe I am fully disabled without these meds. I hope I can find one that will last longer. With the Enbrel support card, I have not had to pay for this drug. I prefer the syringes to the pens."

• Tox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2016

"Well, it's been an hour and a half since my first injection by my doctor in my arm, and I feel like a giddy space cadet mentally compared to the insomniac, sleepless, suicidally depressed wreck that I've been for decades. I started off with misdiagnosed JRA called 'growing pains' by my inept pediatrician when I was a child, and after it never cleared up, I went to see a specialist at age 15, then diagnosed with JRA. It went into remission in my late teens, early twenties, then crept back up badly about 6 years ago. I tried every anti-inflammatory in the book and methotrexate with no success, only prednisone helped but made me a wee bit too violently insane at times. Basically, it's working good so far. 10 stars for Enbrel."

• out...
• November 15, 2014

"Enbrel has worked well for me for about 4 years, and it has been covered partly by my husband's former employer and Pfizer. It seems, however, that when I turn 65, it will barely be covered on Medicare and supplemental insurance due to Congress approving a renewal of the patent on Enbrel. Also, due to Medicare being a government program, it won't be covered."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2010

"My son is 7 and has been taking Enbrel for a year and a half along with methotrexate. He is doing remarkably! Before the medication, he literally had to crawl because the pain was so bad in his ankles. After only one shot of Enbrel, he is able to run and play like a normal child! Unbelievable! Thank goodness for Enbrel!"

• RA...
• July 17, 2015

"I've been on Enbrel for about 2 years now. I can't go out in the sun because of the rash I get all over my chest and back (side effect of Enbrel). I never had any eye problems until I started using Enbrel, now I need new glasses about every 6 months (side effect of Enbrel). Do the benefits outweigh the side effects? In my case, no! I'm done with Enbrel."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2012

"Had severe rheumatoid arthritis for 6 years - pain uncontrolled by DMARDs. Prescribed Enbrel, and my health improved 85%. Sadly, after using Enbrel successfully for 5 1/2 years, it stopped being as effective. Since, tried Humira - didn't work. Now trying Roactemra infusions - some improvement, but lots of side effects. Really miss the quality of life that I had when Enbrel worked for me!"

• deb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2013

"Enbrel is the first medication I've taken that's actually helped. After taking it for about 10 months with really good results, I had an Achilles tendon repair that was infected with MRSA during rehab. I had to take intravenous antibiotics for 8 weeks and had to go off Enbrel for several months. The pain from the rheumatoid arthritis came back 10-fold. I'm back on Enbrel now, but I find that it wears off by the 5th day, and by the time the week is over, I'm in misery with swollen joints. I don't know what I'd do without it - just wish it could work all week."

• SGA...
• July 26, 2009

"I've been on Enbrel for 2 years and went from being bedbound and using a walker to playing on my company's softball team. It has motivated me to live and has allowed me to consider having children now. My husband and I are really excited Enbrel has worked well. The only problem is that I continue to get oral ulcers and bruise easily. I am now having cold symptoms."

• tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2018

"I was given Enbrel in January, and after 3 injections, I noticed a rash. The rash, after a month, put me in the hospital. The rash turned into sores on my legs, and after 1 month of stopping injections, the rash is worsening. I would use this medication with caution. Take notes of side effects daily. For me, the rash is an allergic reaction, but it still has me in bed and not working. It feels like knives stabbing in my legs, unable to walk. Numbness and swelling in my ankles. Something still isn't right, and it's been over a month since the last injection."

• CET...
• December 10, 2015

"I have been on Enbrel for about 2 1/2 years and have really had no relief. Prior, I was on methotrexate and ended up having to see a liver transplant doctor because of an acute drug injury to my liver. I now have to see the transplant doctor every 3 months, so I'd rather be on Enbrel than methotrexate. But honestly, I feel the Enbrel is just a waste of my time. I've also tried Cimzia, Celebrex, Vioxx, etc. Yet here I am at 42, unable to lift my grandchild and 2 shoulder surgeries and 2 toe replacements while on Enbrel."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

"Enbrel saved my life. I've had rheumatoid arthritis for 3 1/2 years. I had severe swelling and pain in almost every joint of my body, which, coupled with the exhaustion, left me with little life. The Enbrel with the weekly methotrexate makes me feel basically normal and able to work and live like a normal person. I found the weekly pens to be very easy to use. I moved to a country that doesn't have the pens, so now I'm on a twice weekly normal injection. I'm terrified of needles and cry like a 2-year-old if I see one, so my husband gives me the shots and I can barely feel them. I thank the Lord every day that I am able to have this medicine!"

• Gui...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2019

"I started it with the Enbrel SureClick 50 mg. I've taken Enbrel for 2 months. My finger pain seems to be going away. My doctor recently changed it to the mini SureClick. I find the injection to be painful. I didn't have this issue with the regular SureClick. I do like the lights and the sounds that let you know it's complete. I will continue taking it."

• Bob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 20, 2016

"Took Enbrel with methotrexate for four years, and it worked great. Developed optic neuritis in the right eye and discontinued it. Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve and is one of the neurological disorder side effects of the drug. Changed diet to eliminate red meat, poultry, and sugar, and take natural supplements."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 10, 2012

"I have been taking Enbrel for 5 years, which is how long I have had rheumatoid arthritis. My original symptoms, which were affecting my mobility in the mornings, went away in a few weeks. I now go through periods where I do not have any symptoms for months. I have mild stiffness in my feet in the mornings a few days after I experience a period of stress (like working through the night). This medication has changed the course of my life."