Sorry Jean,
Thought someone had suggested that you ask your rd but might have been
wrong.  If it only lasted an hour and doesn't get any worse I personally
wouldn't worry about it but would mention it to your doctor.  If there is a
rash around the area or an itchiness around the area of injection that could
be a reaction to the med or to the alcohol area if it doesn't last too long.
Only your doctor can really say if it is a concern.  You might also like to
talk to the nurse at the enbrel hotline about it.

Each person has a different time as to how long it takes to kick in.  Some
of this depends on the degree of your disease, what other meds you are on
etc.  For me it took  about 6 weeks if I recall.  It was not a quick
reaction but by 6 weeks I knew it was starting to work.  I am no longer on
it and it never 100% worked on me - was never able to get off prednisone by
any means and I kept getting many infections on it causing me to go on and
off.

Good luck.

Kelly

I've had much going on and am just now catching up some.  I've been on enbrel
for 2 years and have never experienced anything like you describe.  I vote
for calling your doctor's office and checking with them before doing your
next shot and/or calling the enbrel line.  You really don't want to play
games with the possibility of a more serious reaction to your next shot.  And
there is a variety of other biologics they can switch you to if need be.

As to how long - I was on 2 dmards before enbrel and we just traded arava for
enbrel so it was a bit different.  There was no real change in my joints, but
around 3-4 weeks my fatigue improved.  Can't really help much more on that
point - but depending on what your doctor says, you may be going off it
anyway.  DO check with someone before you take another shot.  It's much
better to check it out now.

I have never had a reaction to Embrel in the 18 months I've been on it.

I'm not getting any worse, so it must be holding the line of defense.  I
never expected it to repair the damage from the last 32 or so years.

Hi Jean,,,, it is different amounts of time for different people.   The
longest I can remember a person being on it with no improvement was 3
months.  I am not kidding when I say it was the next day for me but I also
got a large steroid shot in my rear which always works well for me.
   As far as a reaction to the shot,  I sometimes get a whelp where I got
the shot for two or three days.    Your reaction could be a warning of a
much worse reaction with your next shot or it could be the stress of taking
the shot.
You really should bring your doctor in on what is taking place.
Harv

I've never had the reaction you describe nor heard of anyone who has. I have
been on Enbrel for 10 1/2 years.  I was in the original clinical trial and
am now in the long-term safety study.  Were you itchy all over or just at
the injection site?  A few times I've gotten itchy at the injection site
with no rash.  Are you nervous about the shot?  Sometimes people get strange
reactions that are more related to apprehension or anxiety.  They are afraid
something will happen and anxiety can make you feel as though something
strange is happening. Do some calming relaxing stuff before your do the next
shot. And do call your RD and run this by him before the next shot also.
Let us know how you do.

Gloria