Enbrel vs. Remicade

[Pennygirl]

Has anyone gone from Remicade to Enbrel? And, if so, did you find it worked any differently? The reason I ask is I was on Remicade for P and PA since February this year. My PA was very minimal at that time - I was mostly interested in helping my severe psoriasis. My last dosage was the beginning of June. At the beginning of July, I developed severe PA symptoms. The rheumy said she thought I had had an underlying infection or flu and that was the way my body reacted. I was on steroids, etc. for about 6 weeks and am much better. Even though my PA was very minimal in February, it is now much worse than it ever was. I have to go back to Dr. on Monday and she is recommending I use Enbrel now. It seems to me that both Remicade and Enbrel are very similar and have similar side effects, so I'm afraid to use the Enbrel. I'm also afraid of PA getting worse and of the debilitating nature of the disease and damage to joints. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place.

[ouchyk]

Hi Penny,

Sorry to hear about your problem. I was wondering if you were taking MTX along with remicade? I'm in the middle of transitioning (washout ) from Enbrel to Humira. I cannot take MTX for other medical reasons but from what my rheumy has told me it does help the biologics, it gives them the kick in the pants they sometimes need.

When you say you were using steriods, do you mean topicals or predinsone, medrol etc? You can have a rebound flare from prednisone, I had a very tough time getting off of it and the key is to go low ( dosage reduction) and slow ( every two weeks by 1mg if need be ). The pain & swelling does creep back in though doesn't it? geesh.

I had been on Enbrel for 15 months, it did work somewhat never completely and has lost most of it's effectiveness. Prednisone has helped me so very much, unfortunately I am off that now too and am relying heavily on pain meds until the washout is over and I can begin Humira later this month.

Switching biologicals or adding MTX can make a big difference from what I understand. One may work well, one may not. Medications work differently on us all. Sometimes you have to add to a bio to make it more effective or switch.

I can tell you from my experience that I have had no side effects from Enbrel with the exception of site injection reactions which are neither harmful nor worriesome. It did help some, but not what I had hoped for. That said if you can read the thread Enbrel, P and Me ( by Flakeymatt ) you will see many people that it has helped and at that tremendously.

Hope that someone will come along and share thier experience going from Remicade to Enbrel. I do know of one other poster who has done this, however she no longer posts and the last time I spoke with her she was doing fine.

Hang in there,
Karen

[grannyfranny]

hi Penny,
I have not had any experience with Remicade but Enbrel is not good for me. But, than none of the p drugs are.

I just wanted to say welcome and let you know there are others that will be along to help you.

[RichJ]

hi penny,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you

have a good night all

richard

[SandraJean]

Hi Penny,

Welcome to the boards. Sorry to hear about your problems with pa. It can be very frustrating. I'm not on either Remicade or Enbrel, but am on Humira in a clinical trial study for p and pa. I've been in the sutdy since Novemeber of 2003. Humira has been working good for my pa. I have heard alot of good things about both remicade and enbrel.

Sometimes it's slower on weekend, but I'm sure someone will be along with more information about the changing from one medicene to another.

Take care and keep posting.

Sandy

[Pennygirl]

Thanks for all your replies and encouraging words. My rheumy wanted me to take MTX along with the Remicade but I refused. My dermatologist had recommended MTX years ago for my psoriasis (when I didn't have PA), and after researching it, I decided it wasn't worth the side effects. I really don't want to take MTX, and don't want to take the Prednisone unless I absolutely have to. I will continue to do research on the Enbrel though.