Enbrel and Stiffness: What Users Say

• Kis...
• August 20, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I began taking Enbrel in 2008 for severe RA after a year of trying a series of other drugs. I forgot I had RA. Last Nov., I stopped taking it because I had to be on chemo. Things were fine until April when I went into a full-blown flare. Extreme morning stiffness lasted 6 hours or more. My thumbs were virtually useless. I hobbled like I was 95 years old with excruciating pain in my feet, knees, hips, and neck. I took morphine, which did little to suppress the pain. After consulting with my oncologist and rheumatologist, I took my first injection of Enbrel in June - expecting it to take another month or longer to stop the flare. I felt much relief 2 days later. Now I'm almost back to normal."

• Rid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have severe RA and was started on MTX about 6 months ago, already maxed out, and pain and inflammation was doing major damage. Two years ago, I was running a mile several times a week, and when the RA hit, I could not even open my bedroom door. Recently, I was started on Enbrel. After the first shot, I noticed a 25% improvement with pain and stiffness. I did not find the shot painful as some describe, but I had already been self-injecting the MTX. No other side effects thus far. Looking forward to my second injection this week and continued improvement."

• Lov...
• July 10, 2009

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been using Enbrel for almost 2 years with great success. Only recently, it stopped working for me. The morning stiffness, hand swelling, and all the pain that goes with it were back. My doctor just started me on Remicade, and it started working almost immediately. So don't fret if it stops working for you. I did like doing my own injections with Enbrel, with Remicade, it's a 2-hour infusion by your doctor every 2 months."

• inp...
• September 27, 2011

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My first injection of Enbrel caused me more pain and stiffness than I had before I used the medicine. The right side of my body and my hands hurt so much... happens to be the side I injected. No way is this for me, it made my skin red and so painful, my joints are stiff, and I have so much more pain. My scalp is much more itchy. Also gave me chills and made me feel like I had the flu. I wish I could find something to stop the pain and my joints from getting deformed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2016

For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis "My experience so far with Enbrel has been just brilliant! This is coming from someone who at one point had to get lifted out of the bath, have someone wash my hair, get me dressed, and put my shoes on. I am currently taking the 50mg pre-filled pen, just about to take my third dose today. The effects so far have been excellent, and I have seen a huge improvement in the quality of my life! After 2 weeks of taking Enbrel, I have no stiffness in the morning, I can go a full day without taking ANY painkillers (prior to this, I had to take 2, 30mg codeine 4 times a day, followed by 2 500mg naproxen twice a day - just to function!!!) I have seen a big improvement in my hips (stiffness/pain), and the swelling in both of my knees has almost gone!!"

• Rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2021

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have suffered with joint pain for over 40 years, finally saw a rheumatologist 4 months ago. After tests, diagnosed with advanced AS and prescribed Enbrel. 10 weeks in, I am feeling less morning stiffness but still struggle with night pain and stiffness and very achy joints all the time. So I guess I feel a slight improvement, hopefully, it gets better in time."

• Rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2021

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have suffered with joint pain for over 40 years, finally saw a rheumatologist 4 months ago. After tests, diagnosed with advanced AS and prescribed Enbrel. 10 weeks in, I am feeling less morning stiffness but still struggle with night pain and stiffness and very achy joints all the time. So I guess I feel a slight improvement, hopefully, it gets better in time."