Posted 8/17/2010 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Have you posted on the crohns board? That might be a good thing to do as well.
I am not sure what all is approved for use with crohns, I have to admit. I know Remicade is the only FDA approved tnf blocker for UC, though many people are also able to try Humira and I think a few have done Cimzia (sp?).
I have been on Humira and now Remicade. I can't comment a whole lot on cost because 1) I got Humira through a drug trial, so it was free, and 2) it depends on your insurance coverage. Our insurance pays 100% after we meet out $2K deductible for the year. Since I was hospitalized, we got there quick, but I was also enrolled in the RemiStart program, which helped a lot. Out of the $750 OOP cost I had for the year (it is covered 100% now), that program paid $550. It would have paid more had we not met our deductible so quickly! So it was a huge help. And I believe Humira has a similar program.
I will tell you that I am like that with meds as well-if there is a list of 10 side effects from a med, I am likely to have 8 of them. I get just about everything there is with pred, and then some the doctors have never seen before. BUT, I have not had adverse side effects from either Humira or Remicade. I know there is the possibility that there are long term side effects that have not come to the surface as of yet, but I truly have not had side effects. So even if you do suffer side effects from other meds, don't think automatically that you will have them from tnf blockers.
Time wise, Humira is easier. The remicade infusions take a while, even though they aren't as frequent doses as with Humira. But Humira is a quick injection-I did it myself at home without issue.
Hope that helps, and good luck!