Starting entyvio today

Been just lurking the forum for the past few weeks instead of posting. After 5 months of no relief because of a shoddy doctor, it seems my 10 day hospital stay was finally the kick in the butt my UC needed. I was finally put on a proper oral med (apriso) and that seems to be the factor I needed to put me in remission. I haven't had blood in a month, normal 1-2 times a day normal bowel movements. No pain. Super happy!

But none the less my new and much better GI still has me starting entyvio today. He wants me to do it so I can hopefully and finally get off the prednisone I've been on since March. Just curious what some of you guys think. I'm scared to mess with any of my drugs; since things are going so well I don't want any set backs. And part of me just doesn't want to take it now in case I need it later, if you know what I mean, I kinda want to keep it in my back pocket for a rainy day.

But on the plus side to taking entyvio now; since it's generally a slow to work medication it's probably a good thing I'll be starting it when I don't actually need it right? It's not like I'm running to the bathroom a billion times a day and expecting this drug to work miracles.

Yet again, as to be expected from me, a fairly random post :)

Marauder93- what meds are coming down the pipeline? What looks interesting? Thanks.

Flyingjen, so happy you are feeling better with Apriso. If I had to go on a harder core med, I would def pick Entyvio but it is true that the lousy insurance companies may deny. Gave u tried rectal meds?

Post Edited (hateuc) : 9/15/2015 7:02:23 AM (GMT-6)

I was actually pleasantly surprised my insurance approved entyvio no problem! Even without doing any other biologi a first. It's only approved through the end of the year but still better than I expected. I thought I was going to have to battle with them. Also with entyvio connect assistance program (combined with the fact that I already met my deductible) I have zero copay the rest of the year.

I am on entyvio warriors on Facebook but it seems the only posts are negative. I like this forum because I think we all have a pretty realistic view on pros and cons. A little less bias if you will.

I'm hoping the apriso will keep working, doctor has me on it for at least the next two months. Not sure if he's planning on keeping me on it in addition to the entyvio. I think our goal is just to get off the steroids.

Even the people here who have good results seem like they are rocky. Still worried about what they can and can't eat, still taking other meds, still having mild/moderate symptoms.... hopefully you have a perfect remission with it. It did next to nothing for me. I am actually sort of upset about the limited positive response I've seen with entyvio. Entyvio connect has been extremely difficult for me. It soudns like such an easy program but it requires a lot of paperwork. If your doctor's office doesn't handle the paperwork, it turns into a nightmare. If you've already paid out your copay, you're in the clear regardless so you will not have to worry about it. It took me almost 9 months to get one bill paid and i am still crossing my fingers, hoping that it's been handled. I'd say I've spoken to them about 60x. I have also spoken to the hospital and infusion center about 20x. Way too much leg work for a person who is paying 15k per infusion.