Enbrel

Got my first injection of Enbrel on Saturday morning (June 5). It was the first time I'd watched an injection go into me, and probably anyone else. Even when it's in the movies, I close my eyes.

A nurse came over to teach us. Kat says I was brave during the injection but in a daze afterward.

I think I started to feel better as the hours went by, even as Kat and I prepped for dinner. At dinner, Bet still asked why I was limping though. But when we finished cleaning up, I was able to take my sandals off and mop the kitchen floor barefoot with little discomfort.

I felt so good yesterday that I forgot to take my MTX. (Only remembered as I left for work today.) I did a little jump for Kat's mom to show her how well I was and had little trouble walking down the stairs at Campa last night or in the garage this morning.

Kat told me not to feel bad that I didnt take it sooner. I dont, really. I told her I think it's good I know how difficult the condition can be, especially, I said half jokingly, if I help form an AS group where not everyone will be able to afford biologics, or have a medical plan that covers it. Also, knowing how difficult the condition can be, I'm more likely to stick to my swimming and Pilates and get into other physical activity. I may not have even gotten into them if I'd taken Enbrel early and not gone through the pain.

When I was first diagnosed, Dr. Lorenzo said that if I wanted to try MTX first, we could do so for six months and then review. I was happy with that. In fact, it's just been four months. So I'm ahead of schedule.