fatigue from Enbrel??

[mb2]

Still new to this stuff. Have been on Enbrel since mid-May for PA. I am less and less able to do things since then.

I try to exercise several times/wk and I need a whole day to rest afterwards.
I have a terrible fatigue most days and I force myself to do things.

More places hurt now than in May also. my elbows, wrists, feet and heels are sore and they weren't like this in May.

I see the Doc next Friday. Meanwhile I am so tired--almost like I have the flu. Is this a normal part of PA or could it be from the med???
(I also have OA, but I don't think that causes fatigue.)

Thanks for your wisdom.

MK

[obikwa]

I, too, have been experiencing considerable fatigue, apparently a common symptom of the disease generally. Even though the Enbrel is helping with joint paint and flexibility (I can actually run now which I couldn't before), I am chronically fatigued. Aaaargh.

[docmks]

Hello to you both and welcome to the boards!

Fatigue is part of PA for many of us. It is for me, and from what I can tell from many others, it can be one of the worst aspects of the disease...as if pain and difficultly moving and stiffness weren't bad enough! Fatigue is also a side effect of many of the meds. I remember that it is listed as a side effect of Enbrel, and also of Methotrexate. I started about a year ago with Enbrel, and this past July I began MTX. I've seen definate improvement with skin, much less so with pain and stiffness. In some ways the pain in my legs has gotten worse in the last 4-5, while my skin has gotten better. It's a complex disease and we are all different in the ways we react to these meds.

Again, welcome to the boards, and please keep posting and letting us know how you are doing. Good luck

MK

[citysherry]

I struggle with fatigue daily - I have a true hate/hate relationship with my alarm clock! I've been on MTX for approximately 10 years and have been on Enbrel (50mg x 1wk) since April '05. I have now been diagnosed by 2 separate rheumies with fibromyalgia and have now added a muscle relaxant to my nightly pills to aid my sleeping. Since my PA flares seasonally, I can’t determine if anything is really helping. Best of luck to you.

[crimekate]

I experience severe fatigue from my PA... the Enbrel didn't help much with it. They say it can take up to three months to see maximum benefit... If you've been on it since mid-May, you might want to think about switching to another biologic. I switched to Humira, and am having very encouraging results. Check out the Humira/Remicade related threads for more info (if you haven't already.) Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

[mb2]

Thanks for the advice. I've looked at those threads and am wondering...
I see the Dr on Friday, meanwhile other body parts have started hurting--like wrists and feet and elbows and those seem to be common sites for PA. I have some swelling in some of them for sure.

With the help of this forum, I've learned a lot about PA and will be able to ask the Dr some good questions. I'm beginning to plan them now.

I've had 5 boxes of Enbrel and we'll see what the Dr thinks soon.
Appreciate your advice--
Mary

[SandraJean]

Hi,

Sorry to hear of the fatigue you have been experiencing with PA. I have pa too, plus fibromaylgia and found I have been tired alot too, but I've also been on Humira for almost 2 years and I really don't think I get as tired as I used to. I'm thinking when I do get tired it could also be from fibro.

Hope things go better,
Sandy

[Noxide]

Enbrel did not work for my PA but it helped my P...