new venture w/ enbrel

[slg27]

I have p strictly on my face only and partial neck area. It can be and is painful. I have fought w/ my health insurance to allow me to start using Enbrel... as far as I know there are no known horrific side effects... until today. Like everyone else I saw the news clipping on the relation between p and heart attacks - and somehow down the line I ended up here today and registering. I did read about a woman having cancer and other bad symptoms and relating it to Enbrel. I am wondering for those within this community would encourage or discourage me to move forward with this medication? - nothing else works for me... at all. I have tried all oral medications and topical treatments I could ever ask for, nothing heals. I just haven't tried any type of therapy treatment.

[ouchyk]

Hi,

Welcome.

Sorry to hear about your psoriasis and how painful it is.

I'm not going to encourage or discourage you in any way but I will offer my perception;

Not everyone on Enbrel posts here.

As a matter of fact very few do, there are thousands of people on Enbrel who do not have adverse effects and have found it very helpful.

That said, I wouldn't be happy if I had an adverse reaction...I've been on a biologic for a few years and thankfully nothing horrid has happened.

When you said therapy did you mean light treatments? That might be helpful.

Here is some information on psoriasis and it's treatments, they are specific about treating different areas of the body.

http://www.psoriasis.org/treatment/psoriasis/


Good luck in your decision.
Karen

[nesielheum]

I have p strictly on my face only and partial neck area. It can be and is painful. I have fought w/ my health insurance to allow me to start using Enbrel... as far as I know there are no known horrific side effects... until today. Like everyone else I saw the news clipping on the relation between p and heart attacks - and somehow down the line I ended up here today and registering. I did read about a woman having cancer and other bad symptoms and relating it to Enbrel. I am wondering for those within this community would encourage or discourage me to move forward with this medication? - nothing else works for me... at all. I have tried all oral medications and topical treatments I could ever ask for, nothing heals. I just haven't tried any type of therapy treatment.Hello slg27,
Karen is correct that there are many many people that are currently taking Enbrel. The number is actually about 400,000 and this particular drug has an 7 year track record of being highly effective.

What important information do I need to know about taking Enbrel?

ENBREL is a type of protein called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker that blocks the action of a substance your body's immune system makes called TNF. People with an immune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis, have too much TNF in their bodies. ENBREL can reduce the amount of TNF in the body to normal levels, helping to treat your disease. But, in doing so, ENBREL can also lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections.

All medicines have side effects, including ENBREL. Possible side effects of ENBREL include:
For the rest of the text concerning information you need to know, go here>>>http://www.enbrel.com/important-product-information.jsp

You can also sign up to receive additional information concerning ENBREL by going here>>>https://enliven.mckesson.com/enliven/appEnlivenEnlivenSignupReq.jsp

My suggestion is that do not just jump in to taking ENBREL, or any other drug. The choice is not an easy one to make, and is best made by arming yourself with solid verifiable information, as opposed to hearsay and anecdotal info. For every ENBREL user that has something very bad to say about this drug, there are more than likely 100 satisfied ENBREL users. So if you are looking for yeas or nays, you may soon find yourself in the middle of a tug of war. Once you have had time to digest all of the clinical and factual info about ENBREL and it's history, you can formulate an additional list of questions that you need answered. Takes these with you, and make sure that your dermatologist answers all of your questions to your fullest satisfaction.

Take your time, and make the informed choice that is best for you.

[RichJ]

hi slg27,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family and you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to met you

have a good night all

richard

[LillyPie]

I have been on Enbrel for 10 months. I have nothing but positive things to say about this medication. I haven't felt this good in 12 years (and I'm only 24 years old!). Enbrel completely cleared all of my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Every drug has side effects. I was on methotrexate for 9 years and I was MUCH more worried about it's damage than I am about Enbrel. Talk it over with your derm. Make the decision that is right for you. I am so thankful that I am on Enbrel. It has been a miracle drug for me.