Uceris, Remicade and a hysterectomy :(

Hey guys. Saw my GI today and I am a little down and out. I am in a raging flare still, been over a year now since I've been in remission. Things have been getting worse for me and I have been having accidents which has been pretty devastating. Currently on Prednisone, Balsalazide and Canasa, but for all the good it is doing, you would think I am taking nothing. I'm kind of at my lowest point with this disease. Sooo.... my GI gave me some samples of Uceris today. He is ultimately pushing me toward Remicade, but wants to see what the Uceris will do first. He gave me one of those $25 savings cards where you are supposed to only pay a $25 copay. My insurance does not cover Uceris. He said he thinks that the card should still work, maybe I am reading it differently than he is.... wondering if any of you guys have gotten it for $25 with the card even though your insurance doesn't cover it?

Been reading through lots of posts on Remicade.... the stuff scares me. Anything anyone would like to say about that topic is welcomed.

Lastly, my body goes into a complete freak out every month during my cycle. My UC is at it's worst during that time, along with other debilitating things. My GYN has scheduled a hysterectomy next month, but my GI said that he wants to make sure my UC is better controlled before then. I am supposed to take the Uceris for a week and then call him to let him know how it is working. Do you guys think a week is long enough to judge whether it is helping or not? I fear if it isn't better in a week with the Uceris, he will automatically want to start the Remicade infusions, because he already had the blood work started today. If I go that route, I have read that a lot of people had to have three or four infusions before they began to see improvements. How often do you typically get Remicade infusions in the beginning? I am wondering how that will fit into my surgery timeline.

Sorry if any of this is redundant. I know that there are tons of posts on Remicade. It was just a lot to take in, and I appreciate all input. Thanks all!

That "discount" card took off about $100 off of a 1200+ dollar prescription for 1 month. Call your Dr. back or his secretary tomorow and tell them you aren't covered and ask if you can get some samples from the drug rep. to see if it would even work for you. They come in packs of 2 so tell them you need at least 7 packs or more if they can spare it. It took me about 8 days before I felt like it really started to kick in well. So you probably need more like 2 weeks to know for sure.  Uceris is supposed to be safer on the side effects than Remicade.  I have had almost no side effects with Uceris at all in terms of BM frequency, blood, swelling, etc. 
Now I have been taking 1 pill every 2-3 days. At first it was because I had a limited supply and was spacing them out  but now it's because I don't feel I need it more than that. 

Post Edited (Adventureuc) : 7/23/2013 7:36:01 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks guys... that is exactly what I was thinking about the discount card, since my insurance doesn't cover Uceris. The way I was reading it, was they would "eat" the copay up to $100 (minus the $25) and I would be responsible for any amount over that, but since I have no coverage it is basically useless. Starting the Uceris samples he gave me today. I am so bad right now, I really pray it's a miracle drug for me as it has been for some.

@Lauren, thank you so much for all of the feedback. I have not tried 6mp/Imuran at all. I really expected him to go the Imuran route yesterday, as I have a friend who sees the same doc and that was his next step for her, but I guess with the severity of my symptoms, he jumped straight to Remicade? Not really sure. He tried to ease my fears about Remicade, and at this point, I just want to FEEL BETTER, so that may override my fears. Thanks again for all of the information and support.