Going to try Enbrel
#260847 - 05/01/06 01:25 PM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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I just returned from the rheumy's office. I still have so much swelling and joint pain that its restricting my motility and daily activities. We decided to go with Enbrel, its injected twice a week, so here we go with the needles again!  I'm having a hard time finding a pharmacy that can even get it, I'm stopping at a speciality pharmacy on my way home tonight and hopefully they can have it in a couple of days. The hospital where I was getting my fertility meds says they can't get it right now because its on back order from there supplier! I guess there is some question as to if my insurance will pay for it. They will check for sure when I stop in after work. I figured if it paid for the fertility drugs, it should pay for this drug. If not, I won't be able to take it because its $15,000 a year!!!!! 
They did a TB test and some other tests to be sure I don't have any sort of infections. I guess there have been reported cases of people dying from infections while on Enbrel but I have to do something. As long as I can get the drug by Thursday, I have an appt with the nurse at the rheumy's office to "teach" me how to inject but I can't imagine its too different from the fertility meds.
Hopefully, I'll see improvement in a couple of weeks. However, it can take a few months to fully work and it doesn't work at all for about 20% of people. You can not take it while pregnant but it gets out of your system within 2 weeks. So, if this gets the RA under control, I'll stay on it for 3-6 months until when/if we decide to try to get pregnant again. At which time the fertility doc wants me on steroids to protect the baby from my immune system and the steroids will also help with the RA.
So, thats the plan! Lets just hope I can get the drug, that its covered by my insurance and that it actually works!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Michele,
I hope that everything works out so that you can take the Enbrel and that it works for you. Hard to believe some of the meds are so expensive. I know it must be frustrating trying to find the right medication that will work.
Good luck!
Hugs,
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Janey
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Thanks Janey!
I found a pharmacy last night that had it in stock AND my insurance paid all but a $20 copay!!  So, I just need to wait for a couple of test results to come in but assuming they are negative, I'll start the enbrel Thursday morning! I hope the shots don't hurt too much as I have to give them to myself twice a week but if it stops the RA pain, I'll poke myself as many times as I need to!  
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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The only way our cousin could get the drug was through a special clinic here in our state. You had to qualify financilly, but at that price, it wasn't hard. This is a state rehab facility. So far, he has been able to get everything he needed. I hope you can too!
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God is Faithful!
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Re: Bamagirl
#260985 - 05/02/06 08:14 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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How long has your cousin been using it? Has it helped and have they complained of any side effects? I'm definitely getting good use out of my expensive insurance right now! I was just complaining how they raised our monthly insurance premium from $660.00 a month to $766.00 a month but after starting this drug, I guess I really should be thankful I have it, at any price.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Michele
#261018 - 05/02/06 09:30 AM
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Janey
Reged: 10/25/03
Posts: 1716
Loc: Maryland
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I am so happy that you found the Enbrel and that it isn't going to cost too much. I'm sure if you could handle the fertility shots you can handle this twice a week.
I am still waiting to hear from the Rheumy doc. I was told by my GP's office that it could take 1 to 2 weeks for them to call me and then it may be a couple of months before I can get in. I may go crazy in that amount of time wating for a diagnosis. Very frustrating!
I had a mini crying breakdown yesterday and felt better after it was over.
I really hope this new med works for the pain and swelling. From what I hear about RA there is usually quite a bit of tweeking to get the meds just right for each individual.
Hugs,
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Janey
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Hey Michele - I just saw this drug on a commercial this morning and thought of you! How funny. It did talk about not being able to treat infections and stuff too. Hopefully this drug will work better for you.
Good luck!
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- Jennifer
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The embrel was tried for 8 months with little success, so they just switched to another injected drug of the same caliber. I forget the name. I haven't had an update on that because it is a recent change. Our cousin has SEVERE ankylosing spodilitis. He is also trying some natural remedies too, so we'll see.
As to insurance, I sure hope it covers you on that point! It is awfully high no matter where you are, but considering the cost of meds these days, I'm like you, it is worth the charge! I pray it works for you and you find relief!
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God is Faithful!
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Re: Janey
#261064 - 05/02/06 11:03 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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Thats absolutely INSANE that you have to wait that long!!!! Do you have to wait for that particular rheumy to call you or can you start calling around yourself to see if you can get in sooner. Its really important to catch this as early as you can. And, unfortunately, most of the treatments take several months to really start working as well. Thats a LONG time for you to have to wait while your hurting. My options are also limited when it comes to medications as we still may want to have a child in the relative near future as my "clock" is ticking there!
Feel free to email me anytime you want to vent about your symptoms. Have you gotten the hot wax spa yet? If not, you can roll your hands in a heating pad. I sit in my recliner at night, with my hands over my tummy, the heating pad over my hands and it helps both the RA pain in my hands and the IBS pain in my tummy! If you haven't started taking any yet, try taking the maximum dose of an anti-inflammatory. Alieve seems to be the easiest on my tummy. I know when my wrists are bad, I use support wraps I got at Walgreens Drugstore. I've seen them for knees and elbows also.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Re: Bamagirl
#261066 - 05/02/06 11:06 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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I'm sorry to hear about your cousin. I'm not real sure what ankylosing spodilitis is. I hope the new drug works better for him. I remember seeing that the Enrel was also used for that but didn't look into it too much.
The cost of healthcare is horrible. However, I have wonderful coverage and for all my medical "issues" I really need good coverage. I've tried to find cheaper insurance but with my health history and Will being self employyed, its not going to happen.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Re: Michele
#261081 - 05/02/06 11:34 AM
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Janey
Reged: 10/25/03
Posts: 1716
Loc: Maryland
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I thought that sounded long. When they call me to make the appointment if it is a few months I will bring that up. Everything I have read so far says the sooner you are seen the better.
My sister is sending me the wax spa for my birthday. It was last Friday so she is late but it is coming. I didn't think about using a heating pad. I'll get mine out.
I took Alieve the other day and my tummy didn't feel quite right. I don't know if it was the Alieve or just the day. I'll give it another try. I do take asprin, advil and tylenol for my migraines without much trouble but I don't have to take them often. I don't know how my body will react to taking a regular dose.
If it isn't one thing it is another that is for sure.
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Janey
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Re: Janey
#261097 - 05/02/06 12:09 PM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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Happy Belated Birthday!! Thats great your sister is getting you the wax spa! I love mine! You can keep reusing the same wax also, just peel it off your hands and toss it back in!
Thats part of the problem is that I, too, have problems with the anti-inflammatory drugs. If you tolerate Advil, that will probably work as well as the Alieve. Tylenol and Aspirin as ok, they will help with the pain but not the swelling. I've tried several prescription anti inflammatories and they all hurt my tummy terribly. 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Michele,
I would be curious to know how it works out for you. I just met with my doctor last week and we are considering switching me over to the Enbrel. Interestingly enough they are also considering putting my fiance on it for his psoriasis. We were laughing about having to take the same meds like an old married couple. I was actually more surprised that we would take the same thing for two different conditions...his being a skin condition and mine being for my RA and OA pain.
We too are waiting to find out what the insurance company will charge us for them. I won't be switching for a month or so since we have to wait for the Mumps scare to die down here. Had a scare last week that I was possibly exposed but that turned out to be strep that they had instead. Never been so happy to hear strep throat in my life.
I will look forward to hearing how things go for you. Wishing you the best!
-Michelle
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and I am sending lots of possitive thoughts your way that this is resolved and you wind up with a baby too!
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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Yes, I've read that it is also used for psoriasis!! I was so thankful when I found out I only have a $20 copay for mine!!! I know if I do mail order for my scripts, I can get three months for the same $20 copay so if I end up staying it on for a little while, I'll have to check and see if this is available mail order. Be warned, its a bit difficult to find. Most of the "chain" drugstores have to order it and have it UPS to you. The hospital I usually go to tried to order it for me and they were told by there distributor it was "unavailable." I did some checking on line and I guess there is sometimes a shortage of it. You may want to start asking around now. I finally found it at a private, speciality pharmacy. Luckily, it was right on my way home from work!!
The skin TB test they did Monday is turning red but its red on BOTH arms??!! They gave me two injections, one a control and one the real deal. They are both red and bruised. I can't imagine I have TB as I've had several chest x-rays recently due to the costochondritis in my chest. That is caused from the RA inflaming the cartilage in my chest, VERY painful. Still can't wear a bra! Anyway, I go tomorrow at 9:30 to see the nurse. She will oversee me doing my first injection and then I'll be on my own! It can't be any worse than the fertility shots I had to give myself! I'll be sure to keep you posted on how it works for me. I'm REALLY hoping for some good results! Some people say you start to feel better in as little as two weeks!!! I'm SO ready to feel better!! I'm still on the placquenil also, hopefully, this will be the right combo for me!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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