Any suggestions on how to get Doctor to consider Humira?

I am one of the lucky ones that can send my Doctor messages through a website. I want to let him know I am interested in discussing Humira as my next option. I have not gotten into remission yet with my current meds although I am feeling better than I did a year ago. I still continue to have problems though…   Anyone have any ideas how I can convince him? I plan to make an appointment with him soon but I wanted to get the ball rolling with a message asking about Humira. He has mentioned it before as a next step for me and I feel since it has been over 1 year I think the next step is here.   He also mentioned Remicade but the cost may not be a n option for me. I guess it depends on how the insurance processes the claim. Right now, I pay 10% after a copay so Remicade could be out of the question. Unless the insurance lowers the billable amount and I pay 10% of a lesser charge. That has been happening with my medical bills so far.   Thanks for any advice you can give me.   Karen   PS: I plan to say something like this… Dear Dr. XXX I would like to explore the option of Humira as my next step in my treatment. You have brought this up as an option before for me and I am interested in it. I have some symptoms that are still lingering (list of them here) since my last medication change several months ago.   I will schedule and appointment with you, I wanted to let you know what I was considering. Thank you, Karen

Karndee,

Have you by chance looked into Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)? I have been unsuccessful with many tretment options throughout the years and I am now taking LDN. I did a lot of research on it before I approached my GI about it. I have been on it now for 3 months and received substantial relief from symptoms and pain on the first day.

Please email me privately if you would like to learn more about my experience with LDN. I will be happy to share some websites of interest that would probably help you to understand more about LDN.

I wish you the best!

Kindest regards,
Patti

Hi Karen the only other tihng I thought of is perhaps the time frame that you have been on the other meds. Hope things work out for the best. lol gail

Hi Karen, I dont see why your doc wouldnt give you the prescription.  I have been on Remicade, big bucks $4200.00 bucks a shot, however I have full coverage.  It was a pain in the butt to get the infusions. I was highly allergic, then waited a year because my doc was trying to sorta talk me into Humira.  Yes, he did warn me of side effects.  So now I am on my 11th week and doing really well.  Right now on my days with terrible pains from that.  The cost is cheaper approx $700.00 a shot and I use a syringe, less painful than the epipen. And the best part is you do it at home.  You get lots of support. I have heard of the LDN, but most docs are not easily ready to write the prescription.  I hear no side effects and cheap, but I heard long term it wears off.  I know there are side effects to Humira, but I havent been in remission in 10 years...had enough of pain. Everyone is different with the disease and so reactions are different with drugs.  Good luck, let us know what he says!

Karen,

Good luck to you no matter which direction you go!  Crohn's 4 ever is correct that some doctors not "easily ready" prescribing LDN.  I had to persuade my GI to let me give it a try and I am so glad that he did.  I am also happy that he is willing to monitor me on it. 

My only suggestion is that you do some research on it (if you are interested).  The lowdosenaltrexone website has a lot of information. 

I have not heard that that the "benefits" wear off in time like with other treatments.  I have been in direct contact with several people that have used LDN for years with great success.  Of course, what works for one may not work the same for others.

But, like I said, you need to do what is best for you!!!!!! 

Take care and please keep us posted on how you are doing!