I have atypical RA, atypical in that it acts more like PA without the
psoriasis.
In 20some years I had never had a remission, and had both knees and a hip
replaced, both ankles fused, etc. I always had many active joints.
Then came Enbrel. Within a week I started to see results. For 3 years I have
had no active joints (or nearly so), although much of the damage had been
done. Although Enbrel couldn't fix the deformities, I have been relatively
fantastic. If it works as well for you, which it should, you'll feel as if
you
got your life back.
I recommended it to a neighbour who could almost not walk any more,
and she had almost as dramatic an improvement, but for her it took a month
or more to really feel well.

Good luck,
Sandy

it has helped me tremendously. I have been on it since 2001 (on/off /on due
to a pregnancy). I have been very happy with it. I like the single dose
option better than twice a week. I find it works better. However, I will say
that I'm in the process of deciding whether to switch to humira as my RD
feels that the enbrel isn't doing all that it should for me. I still think
she is being a bit unrealistic but I've pretty much decided to at least try
it. good luck with it!

Hi Gord,,,   Lots of help for me but I had RA.  I wish that Char was here to
talk PA with you.   IMO it is harder to cotnrol than RA.
Harv

HI Gord,

I have PA also.  SSZ also did just nothing at all for me.  NO, that's wrong.  
It made my ears ring.  MTX helped some.  We had me on Arava with it for a
while (not a recommended combo due to liver risks, but I had insurance
restrictions at the time).  Late January we were finally able to start me on
Enbrel and drop the Arava.  The first improvement I noticed was in a much
reduced fatigue level.  Still not as good as I'd like - I still need the PM
nap as well as 8 hours at night, but when I'm awake I'm able to accomplish
more.

Then my inflammed ribs (costochondritis) improved *greatly*!  I mean, I can
actually make it through an entire church service, singing all the hymns, and
still be able to talk afterwards!  Hadn't been able to do that in over 3
eyars.  I haven't had improvement past that point yet as I had to go off it
for a month due to other illnesses.  But it has helped enough that I am
actually happy to be giving myself a shot once a week.  (I should note that
my brother is a long standing Type 1 diabetic, so I can hardly complain about
one shot a week!)

The shots themselves do sting some going in.  I just pause for a few seconds
until that improves and then move on with it.  The stinging lessens with
letting the dose warm up more, but you have to find a happy balance between
the stinging and not letting the medicine get too warm to be effective. Also,
I've had some mild shot reactions around the 6-8 week mark, as I was warned I
might.  No big deal, though I do shoot up higher on my thigh with the
reactions now that we're in shorts-wearing weather.  Overall though, the
stinging and reactions are no worse than I've had in the past with allergy
injections and I definitely feel enough better to make it worthwhile!  AFter
waiting 3 years for good prescription insurance so I could go on Enbrel, I am
really appreciating it, even though it hasn't been the total miracle for me
that I'd hoped for.