HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Dr.'s Appt.

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/30/2007 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Had a bit of a let down today.  Doc says if the mtx isn't helping at the dose I am at then it probably isn't going to ever be good enough alone.  My disease is progressing still while on the meds so it is time to consider something else or in addition to.  They gave me the enbrel, remicade, and humira kits to learn about the meds as we will likely be starting one of these in the near future.  For now they are going to contact the insurance company and find out what they will cover.  The methotrexate has been increased to 25mg weekly and I turned down the pred but am going to take Relafin to see how I do.  I call next week if I still am in extreme pain to start one of the biologics.  They are also running a lupus panel again as they are still suspecting along with RA there is another autoimmune issue.  I am thinking that my insurance will likely approve Humira or Remicade and not the enbrel... but we shall see. 

Thanks for sticking with me through this...

Theresa

Posted 1/30/2007 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
this is kinda a positve thing bloo.... u will feel better! i know i hate taking more meds too, but hopefully u'll be feeling great like many others and being active again..... hugs yalinda
Posted 1/30/2007 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck Theresa, I bet once you start the biologics, you'll feel like a new woman! Hang in there and keep us posted!

Duck
Posted 1/31/2007 1:41 PM (GMT 0)

Theresa,  I'm sorry you're having such a rough time right now, but I'm happy now that you're going to start one of the biologics.  Neither mtx or enbrel alone did much for me either.  I needed both.  Why would your insurance cover humira and remicade, but not enbrel?  I believe enbrel is the least expensive of the biologics.  Humira was almost twice the amount of enbrel (I started on humira), and remicade is an IV transfusion so you have to pay for hospital personnel to administer it?  Same with the two new biologics (Orencia, and something else I can't quite recall)--they're IV transfusion. 

I took enbrel for 8-9 months with only partial relief.  When I added the mtx about 3 months ago, it only took about 3-4 weeks before I gained complete relief.  And I'm only a very very low mtx dose (7.5 mg).  I really hope this is the magic elixir for you.

Elcamino

Posted 1/31/2007 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have no idea about the reasons why insurance companies do things. Of course all three need prior authorization, but was told that the remicade would likely be paid 100% while the other two are not and the humira is preferred over all three.... don't ask I have no idea.... gonna let them deal with it.

Theresa
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply