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Risks of Biologics - is it worth it?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/26/2018 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Nealzy, keep these links handy:

https://www.remicade.com/ulcerative-colitis/cost-support

https://www.humira.com/humira-complete/cost-and-copay. [if the pharmacy won't take the card, you can do a rebate at www.completerebate.com]

Prednisone made me very hyper for the first few weeks, and then I'd crash at about 8pm. It was...odd.
Posted 4/28/2018 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
If you are newly diagnosed, I am surprised your GI would jump to biologics so quick. I would think they would try mesalamine, imuran/6-mp, corticosteroids options first. It just doesn’t seem like it’s been long enough to have given those meds a chance.

I was in remission for 15 years until I had a skin cancer spot removed this past December and the stupid antibiotics triggered a flare. Since my meds and budesonide my GI added wasn’t helping, my GI said I should try the biologic option. I did one infusion of Remicade, but ended up in the hospital with a delayed reaction of horrible joint pain because I’d built up antibodies to Remicade since I had done a few infusions 16 years ago. I just had my first Entyvio Infusion yesterday. The main difference is that Entyvio is gut specific whereas Remicade and Humira are not.

If you do go the biologic route, be sure to have your doctor’s office sign you up for whichever med’s financial assistance programs or whatever they call it. I know Remicade and Entyvio have one.

Good luck
Posted 5/1/2018 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
So I've been on Mesalamine + Uceris for 2 months when this flare happened. I'm presently in week 2 of Prednisone 40 mg step down and it does not appear to be doing much other than ceasing the bleeding which is good. I did ask about completing the Prednisone and then seeing how things are and my GI doc suggested to start with 1st infusion of Remicade. My insurance requires me to try Remicade before moving to Entyvio which seems backwards, but hey, who can understand the logic of the insurance companies... Insurance has now approved Remicade and now I'm trying to figure how to sign up for the cost help... good Lawd reading the disclosure that I had to sign was hair raising to say the least.
Posted 5/1/2018 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Give RemiStart a call and they can help you signup. Your gasteroenterologist or infusion center might have a nurse who helps patients with these patient assistance forms as well (mine did); call and ask.
Posted 5/1/2018 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I just got off the phone with the infusion center and they actually have the Remistart cards and will sign me up. Infusion will be $5, but then I have to cough up ~200 for the nurses time. I suppose that is much better that what it could be. Thanks everyone for the great support. Nervously ready for whatever havoc Remicade will wreak on my body on the quest for remission!
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