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Poison Ivy and Enbrel

Hi everyone.  I've been taking Enbrel for about 6 months successfully for my AS.  I had to suspend taking it once for a sinus infection, but then I resumed.  Now I have poision ivy, and my rheumy's office manager recommends I stop the Enbrel, but for poison ivy that seems extreme.  Has anyone had a similar experience, or does anyone have any insights to share on this?  Thanks.
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Avatar universal
Hi Sue

Glad you're doing well.  BTW, my poison ivy has pretty much cleared up dispite continuing the Enbrel.  I don't know if there is a limit to the size of these posts, but I'll try to summarize my exercises.  I'd love to PM you to exchange AS stories; I just to need to figure out how to "PM".

My exercises consist of lower-back exercises I started in 1983 after decompression/fusion surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis combined with AS-exercises recommended by a P.T. sprinkled with some of my own insanity.  I do them once daily on a carpet/mat/towel.

1. Start position = Lay on back, knees bent.  Tighten abs/buttocks and press to floor for count-of-10.  Repeat 10 times.  I generally do 50 arms presses with 5 lb dumbells concurrently.  2. Same start-position.  40 arm curls with dumbells.  3. Same starte-position.  15 / 20 dumbell lifts with arms streched above head.  Lifting about18 inches off floor.  4. Same start-position.  Press back of neck flat against floor twenty time.  I generally push slightly on my chin while doing this one.  5. Same start-position.  Keep shoulders/feet on ground, lift buttocks so straight-line from knees to shoulders.  Ten times.  6. Same start-position.  Pull both knees to chest.  Hold briefly.  Ten times.  7. Same start-pos.  Ten leg-lifts with knees bent.  8. Same start-pos.  40 sit-ups with knees bent.  9. Start-pos = on hands and knees.  Extend/stretch one leg back and hold.  Repeat once for other leg.  Like a runner's warm-up stretch.  10.  Same start-pos.  Extend right arm forward and left leg back simultaneously.  Alternate with left-arm / right leg for a count of ten each.  11. Lay on stomach. Bring bend arms, bring elbows under chest, and prop up top half of chest off ground.  Pretend you're a kid laying on the rug watching TV like that.  Hold for a few minutes or longers.  12.  Lay on stomach with arms strectched foward like you're reaching for the stars.  Raise right arm and left leg simultaneously keeping straight at the elbow and knees.  You'll look a little like you're swimming.  Alternate with left arm / right leg for a count of ten each.  13. Stand up and pull your elbows behind your back as if you're trying to touch elbows behind your back.  Repeat ten times.  14. Stand in the corner (even thought you haven't been bad...), put one forearm against each wall, and lean your erect body into the corner leaving your forearms in place against the wall.  Repeat ten time.  15.  Sit on a chair or bed and bend forward touching the palms of your hands to the floor. Repeat ten times.  16. Same start-pos.  Bending elbows with fists on chin so as not to twist your neck, twist your upper body ten times to the left and then ten time to the right.

Sue, I also recently purchase the "Ab Lounger" from a friend, and that has been a big improvement for me.  I have to run now, but if you're interested, I can try and find some diagrams of the exercises to scan and email to you.  Just let me know.

Rich




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422104 tn?1209763904
Sunday is my injection day too!  Thanks for the kind words, Enbrel was my last hope.  Dr's are interesting to say the least, I had only been on the Enbrel 4 weeks when he said he wanted to take me off of it and try Remicade or Humira.  I work in the medical field and researched the heck out of the Enbrel before I started taking it, risk outweighing the benefits etc, it also said it could take up to 3 months to work so I insisted he allow me to  give it the full amount of time to work.   When you have the time I would love to know the exercises you do.   Thanks again for staying in touch with me, I'm sorry you have the chest wall pain.  If you ever feel like PM'ing me I would love to hear your AS story.   Take care and try not to scratch!

Sue
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Avatar universal
Thanks smittygirl.  I was on the fence with this decision but leaning in the same direction as your perspective.  Sunday, today, is my injection day.  I've had the p.i. for a week, and it seems to be clearing up despite the Enbrel.  So like you, I agree; I'd rather itch a little, then have the chest-wall pain (my main symtom).  BTW... good luck with AS.  Prior to joining this forum, I read some of the past posts, and yours came forward as a real success story.  I'm glad the Enbrel is working for you.  It took about two months for me.  Are you doing exercises?  I do about 20 minutes a days of kinda an eclectic mix, but they seem to work for me.  Good luck to you.
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422104 tn?1209763904
Enbrel, Mtx and other drugs suppress our immune system making it harder for us to fight off infection etc.  I agree it seems a little extreme for poison ivy, I was off of it for only 3 weeks because of an insurance issue and the pain and stiffness came back with avengeance  within 2 weeks.  ( I have AS also) It took over 3 months before it even worked for me.  I would absolutely call your rheumy back and ask why and what would happen if you decided not to stop it.  I'd rather be itchy longer and have keep my AS at bay.  Would love to know how you make out,keep is informed and welcome to the forum.

Sue
Smittygirl


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