# Enbrel working? **URL:** \ **Category:** Medications\ **Created:** [September 21, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/enbrel-working/3694 "2014-09-21T02:43:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Melissa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/melissa/32/1273_2.png) [@Melissa](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Melissa)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/enbrel-working/3694/1 "2014-09-21T02:43:17Z")
How do you tell if your biologic is working? I am about to take my 9th dose of enbrel (I have completed 8 weeks of tx) and I am not sure how well it’s working. I have heard that some people feel so much better that it’s like night and day and all of the sudden they are a new person. That is not me. It has done a tremendous job clearing up my skin but I cannot say yet about my joints. I still have joints that hurt here and there and it changes. During the treatment I have had joint pain in new areas. I suppose i feel a little bit better and can get out of bed a little faster, etc but I am having a hard time deciding if this is the drug for me. My doc said to give it 10 weeks but since I get a monthly shipment of enbrel I will do the full 12 weeks and then asses. Any thoughts? Melissa ---
**Author:** ![Nicolene](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/nicolene/32/1959_2.png) [@Nicolene](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Nicolene)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 8:46am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/enbrel-working/3694/2 "2014-09-23T08:46:36Z")
I know EXACTLY what you mean!! I was like that on humira and we decided to change after some months (can’t remember how many as it was 5 years ago but I think it was more than 3). Back then my arthritis was much more subtle than now and I also had a really hard time saying if it was better or not. I also think the longer you deal with the disease the better you know what works and what doesn’t. For me the morning stiffness is quite a good measure. In saying that I have had great difficulty measuring it as most of the time I wake up in the middle of the night a couple of times and will move all my joints while lying in bed just to loosen things up and also to decrease the morning stiffness. After being on 2 more biologics I can now say for certain the Humira wasn’t as effective as the other two. You can also try to keep some sort of a pain journal to track the changes. Sometimes it improves so little day to day but if you look back a couple of weeks it has actually improved a lot. Good luck!! ---
**Author:** ![rosen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/rosen/32/1742_2.png) [@rosen](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/rosen)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/enbrel-working/3694/3 "2014-09-23T23:47:52Z")
I'm about in the same boat, was about 3.5 months in to Enbrel, and my doctor declared it a failure. I will be starting Cimzia or Humira whenever the insurance paperwork is squared away. The morning stiffness (generally around 2 hours) and persistent dactylitis/synovitis in my fingers and toes were what made him decide to switch me to a different TNF-i. ---
**Author:** ![Grandma\_J](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/grandma_j/32/1796_2.png) [@Grandma\_J](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Grandma_J)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/enbrel-working/3694/4 "2014-09-24T03:19:48Z")
I think you should notice a lessening of symptoms to some degree--it's good to hear it has helped your psoriasis! Enbrel seemed to work faster on my PsA symptoms than my psoriasis. Right away I noticed my energy level increased A LOT. I remember after the first dose for 4 nights straight I only got 4 to 5 hours of sleep and I was raring to go. I felt stronger and my tight finger and toe joints loosened up. Now my knuckles are more prominent--my hands and feet look skinnier. Here's a big improvement: my joints never lock up anymore! However, I have had some pain, too. I just feel that I'm more able to handle it now. I think it's like Sybil said, the disease waxes and wanes--there will always be flares that break through and make us feel crumby for a few hours or days, but I look at the overall picture and, for me, Enbrel is working. Think about how you felt just before you started taking it--if you feel better than that--even a little less weak, tired or stiff--that means it's helping some. Good luck!