Enbrel has cured my PA, but P is getting worse :(

[anmns]

I posted here a while back when I was starting Enbrel. I have had P for a while, but about 6 months ago the PA started and the pain was unbearable. I found a good doctor and he put me on Enbrel. It worked on my joints almost immediately. It also cleared my scalp and my ears.

The rest of my skin is getting worse. My elbows are twice as bad as when I started the Enbrel. I now have a patch on my back which itches sooooo bad, and of course I can't reach it. I am also getting new patches on my arms. I hate that I am on this drug (which I consider extreme) and it doesn't help my skin too.

My doctor said Humira helps skin more sometimes, but he didn't put me on it because at the time, my skin wasn't really the issue.

I am so greatful the Enbrel took away my pain, but I can't help but wonder if Humira would do the same and clear my skin. Can anyone share their experience or give me some advice about switching biologics? Do insurance companies care which they are paying for? Do you have to go off one for any amount of time? I switched insurance a few months ago and went without my Enbrel for a few weeks. The pain came back immediately :(

Thanks,

Amy

[deemah]

Hi Amy,

I am sorry to hear that Enbrel has stopped working for you. Unfortunately, there are times when one med works well and then for some reason it stops working. Then your derm will try to find another med that works for you.

I don't know the answer to your question about switching from Enbrel to Humira. But if you do switch, I hope Humira works for you. My reply will bump up your post and someone who has experienced switching from Enbrel to Humira may see it and give you an answer.

Good luck.

Ruth

[SWinNYC]

I am also on Enbrel which has helped my joints a lot. But, like you, I wasn't thrilled with the results on my severe P. So instead of switching medications, my doc added some injectable mtx to my medication regime. I think the idea behind it being that the mtx boosts the effects of the Enbrel. And it has. I know you don't like the idea of being on all these strong medications (I don't either) but I had to weigh the quality of life issues and realized I needed to use whatever medications were going to give me back my life. Good luck.

[SandraJean]

Hi,

I've never switched biologics but have heard of several people who have done so with good results. I'm on Humira and have been since 2003. While it's helped my pa alot, it has never helped my p----although there are people who don't have pa, but only p and Humira has cleared them.

The idea of taking mtx along with enbrel seems to help several people in getting their p under control.

It's so true that what works for one doesn't always work for another,

Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Sandy

[princesstwinsmom]

Sorry to hear the Enbrel isn't taking care of both issues. I've been taking methotrexate since March and it's completely cleared up my psoriasis. However, my joint pain is still a major issue, so I'll be starting Enbrel (probably this week). My rheumy is keeping me on the MTX along with Enbrel, as she says her goal is "perfection." So we'll see how they do working together!

Good luck to you!