Comments on: Medication Updates

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:51:56 +0000

Hi! Nine years ago I was diagnosed with RA. Recently I was sent to the Cleveland Clinic and told I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), basically it means I have symptoms and test positive for various Connective tissue diseases, for me its RA and Lupus. I took Enbrel for about 3 years. It worked AMAZING, I loved it, and eventually stopped taking it, not because it had stopped working, but because I was doing so much better I had been gradually stepping down the amount I was taking and was able to stop and not relapse. Its been over a year since I’ve stopped taking it and didnt have problems again until recently. Because most of my current symptoms are Lupus related, my dr’s not putting me back on it. I would totally recommend going for the Enbrel–and I’m so happy one of my college professors had recommended it to me. It took a prerequisit letter from my dr, but as I’d been on almost every NSAID drug available, my request was granted. Good luck with your insurance company! I know it can get frustrating. I hope whatever you end up taking works out well for you!

By: amandajohn

amandajohn — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:03:56 +0000

Hey,

I’m on Humira and highly recommend it. I do the pen injections which are foolproof (so far). As far as cost and insurance, ugh. My policy does that lovely Tier 4 pricing where I have to pay a percentage of the cost ( I think it’s 20%) rather than a copay. You definitely want to check on that but it sounds like you already have. Another good thing about Humira (which is how I afford it) is that they have a patient assistance program. There are links on their website to it- I literally found it by accident. Right now, because of the pap, my copay is $5 a month. Good luck in making your decision!!!

By: thislusciousra

thislusciousra — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:09:47 +0000

Thanks everyone for the comments and support! So here’s the update: we didn’t start any biologics this time. I have to do the Hep and PPD testing first, and then we’ll decide what to do in six weeks. So … as it often happens … all that worrying for nothing. But either way, my decision is mostly made.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:12:21 +0000

I would probably do the same thing as you are learning towards. Health insurance sometimes dictates what medication you use, but if another medication will actually improve your RA symptoms I would consider it.

By: Kami

Kami — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:39:24 +0000

I had great success with Humira. I chose to go on Humira after my doctor telling me that their office is part of the longest running clinical research trial (which is still ongoing) of Humira. He has personally followed many of these patients. I found it very easy to inject via the self-inject pen. Initially, while my body got used to the medication, I had a good bit of sinus issues. Not infections but inflammation. These were resolved by taking an Advil Cold and Sinus (pseudoephedrine-the stuff they will card you for!) an hour before my injection and one 6 hours later. Humira stopped working for me in October and I feel that it is directly related to the fact that I cannot take MTX. I am a firm believer that you need to take MTX with most of these meds to make them last longer! (Just an opinion… not a fact!) I felt GREAT on MTX and Humira but the side effects from MTX were too much for me to handle.

Humira is manufactured from human based antibodies. Enbrel is not. I do not know where the ones from Enbrel come from but I was told by someone it was mice. I find that hard to believe but who truly knows, right?

Best of luck with your decision. I am 40 and have been battling this for 2 years. I am REALLY looking forward to starting Remicade on Monday. I will be sure to keep you updated!

Kami

By: erica

erica — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:25:06 +0000

I do both, I have a drug that is an injectable and another that is an infusion, check your policy for what is called “Step therapy” they may make you try the teir 2, before anything else, hence the stepping up