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6MP making me sick...now what???

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/21/2010 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have had diarrhea 7 times today and a lot of cramping. I think the 6MP is building up in my system and is starting to make me sick like the Imuran did. I don't want to land in the hospital again.

So, the doctor had talked about Remicade or Humira. Does anyone know if Anthem/Blue Cross will approve Humira for UC? It seems like it would be much cheaper and easier than Remicade.

Any thoughts regarding price, how the meds work, etc. would be helpful.
Posted 4/21/2010 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
     My doctor had me do the Remicade first but I built up antibodies rather quickly to it, after the 3rd infusion.  I have Personal Choice Blue Cross and Blue Shield of PA and it is terrific.  All I paid out of pocket was my regular doctor co-pay of $5 for the infusions which were done at the surgical center where my doctor is part owner.  I guess they write off what they don't receive for tax purposes.   Not sure, but think the regular cost of the infusion is around five grand.  Now I am on Humira and paying the same..$5.  Regular cost for that is about five grand too.  Thank GOD for this insurance, otherwise it would have been out with the colon.  Check with your insurance company and doctor's office. 
Posted 4/21/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I think I would like to go the Humira route if my insurance will pay for it. I hate needles, but I can't imagine missing work to get the infusions. I tried looking up infusion centers, but didn't really know where to look.
Posted 4/21/2010 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
6MP and Imuran both put me in the hospital with 104.5 fevers. After talking to mt doctor I went with Humira because I can give the meds to myself. I been on Humira for almost 3 weeks and its starting to work.
Posted 4/21/2010 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
That is great news! I don't have a fever (yet), but with Imuran I did and landed in the hospital, too. Dr. thought what I went through was VERY rare, in fact said that he had only heard of 2 people who had a fever from it. I guess it was you and I who were the two people smilewinkgrin

Did you get your Humira from a pharmacy? And, can I ask how much it was for you? Also, how long did it take for you to get approved?

Thanks for all the help!
Posted 4/21/2010 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
     My doctor gave me a prescription for the Humira after my flex sig.  My pharmacist called and told me my out of pocket expense would be $938!!!!  This is going through Walgreen's pharmacy.  I told him...whoa...no way, not when I only was paying $5 for the Remicade.  So, I phoned my doctor's office and spoke with billing.  They said the doctors have no clue about payments and that the billing office deals with a pharmacy in NY.   The office put me in touch with them and that is why I only pay $5. You will most likely have to do some digging to get the cheapest price.  Humira is a snap compared to Remicade.  I have very bad veins and the last infusion the nurse had to stick me seven times before having any success.  Humira is self injecting.  The first set was four injections.  The nurse at my doctor's office gave me the first injection and then I gave myself the other three.  Two weeks later I gave myself two injections and today was only one injection.  It looks like a long thick pen and only takes a few seconds, doesn't hurt at all.  I just hope and pray it works.  I am slowly coming out of this flare but not sure whether it is from the Humira, prednisone, cort enemas, Canasa or all the meds together.  I always seem to flare after I have been off prednisone a few weeks.  I am down to 15 mgm of prednisone, so I have three more weeks of it.
Posted 4/22/2010 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
I am active duty Air force (for now) and it does not cost me nothing. There was no wait, and no approval process. My GI doctor is an medical officer and if he puts in the prescription they give it to me with no questions asked.
Posted 4/22/2010 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Some insurance companies require you to have tried Remicade first before they will approve Humira. It is definitely more convenient and I wished it would have helped me. Remicade kept me in complete remission for almost two years.

Posted 4/22/2010 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
kg4-How did you get into the military with UC? I tried to join the navy after college (cause the economy was that crappy) and as soon as I said I was on medication they were like "Hah no."

I would personally recommend trying remi first, that way once you build up antibodies you'll have something else to go to.
Posted 4/22/2010 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Malk,
I did not join with it. I was in for 11 years then I started to have UC problems. I am getting Medical Boarded out. I have at most 6 months left.
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