Same biologic twice | Arthritis Information

I have terrible state med. insurance. They will not approve anything. The Humira was not working so I quit taking it. I have not been able to go anywhere in 2 weeks. Can't get out of chair or bed. I called my rd and said I am so miserable I want to see if using my last two Humiras might help. Didn't talk to him but the nurse and she told me he said take it if I do not have any infections. My aide said to ask about my athletes foot that won't go away and then he said we have to heal that first. I think he will fight my insurance to get me back on Humira since I was on it so long. I want to talk him into letting me try Enbrel again as I was really having no results from Humira but I am desperate. The insurance turned me down for any IV biologics until I get on Medicaid. Has anyone gone back on - after a time - I think it has been 3 years - on a biologic that had worked for some time and quick working. I think I expected too much of the Enbrel. It was a miracle drug for months but maybe I expected too much from it.

The insurance also turned me down for a electric wheelchair or scooter as I can walk some of the time.

Since Humira quit working I am totally crippled up. Many mornings I have to be fed as my hands don't work - especially thumbs - feel and look like they are broken. Last two weeks have been very bad - have not been able to go swimming. If I did not have my aides I could not take care of my daughter completely. She really wants to stay with me but the mental health people keep expressing concern whether I can care for her as she has missed a couple appts. because I spaced them out and whenever they come over I am in very bad shape.

My sis in law wants to put me in a home. I told my brother to tell her never to bring it up again and she has quit mentioning it. Kelsey and I help each other and we get by with my aides.

If I do not get better I might lose my house. I cannot take high pred. as when I am on it I lose patience with my daughter and her illness. To be honest- if I lose my daughter and my house - I will have nothing left to live for.

I am feeling pretty desperate. Oct I get Medicaid. At least my fingers are somewhat working this morniing. I want to try Enbrel again.

Have any of you made a case for going back on a biologic that was not working. I think it was working I just wanted more from it - like in the beginning when I was taking it. I have a wonderful rd who will fight for me if we have any chance of getting drugs paid for. He has said no to trying Enbrel again but now that his nurse said he said I should try the Humira I have - maybe I can get him to fight to get me Enbrel instead or if he will write me a script - I can apply to drug company to get it for free until Medicaid.

My life is pretty much TV and looking out a window at bird feeder. Sometimes I wonder if I have some other disease or something as nothing has worked for me except pred. I don't know how much of my inability to move and the pain is fibro. I am on Lyrica - ins. won't pay it but rd gives me samples.

Feeling pretty desperate - I could come on here under another name but since replies were kind last time and the people who do not like me left me alone - I appreciate not having to sign up again.

Thank you. This is probably TMI. Sorry

"Has anyone gone back on - after a time - I think it has been 3 years - on a biologic that had worked for some time and quick working. I think I expected too much of the Enbrel. It was a miracle drug for months but maybe I expected too much from."

I have read some studies concerning that and there were some good results. I also know some people on the AF board who have done that. They have said it worked pretty well the second time around.I pray my rd will agree to put me back on Enbrel. Thank you Lynn.Sounds like you are going through a very rough patch. Sending up some prayers for you that you will find success with your meds & strength for the issues with family members.Roxy, My history of DMARDS, Biologics: AP therapy, AP and MXT, MXT, Enbrel, Enbrel and MXT, Humira and MXT, Remicade and MXT and Sulfazaline. Either they didn't work at all or failed.

I went back to Humira when Remicade started to fail. I've been on Humira inj. weekly along with MXT and Sulfazaline and for the first time in 10 years I'm in clinical remission. Yes, it's possible and I don't see any reason why your RD won't agree. Your RD gets samples of biologics. He may give you samples to keep you going. Ask him.

Also, Roxy, there are organizations to help pay or pay the full cost of the biologics. They've been listed many times on this forum. All you need to do is apply. It's an incredible service for individuals who aren't able to pay for the costly meds. Do a search on forum for the information. I think one is Healthwell and the pharmas have programs also. Take care. Lindy

LinB2008-05-30 11:10:10medicade is an income based program. there is not normally a waiting period for it. if your income is sufficiently low enough that the state provides and aide I can't believe you aren't already elgible for medicade. or were you talkiing about medicare?

all the biologic manufacturers have assitant programs sit down with your case worker and figure out what you are elgible for

then she wouldn't be able to throw her pity party I sure hope that you get the Enbrel.

Call the 800 # at Enbrel now and they will send you some forms

to fill out ,so when you go to your next Rd appt. he can fill out the paperwork

also give you a presciption.

I hope you start feeling better and get the Enbrel or what ever it is that

your body needs to stop all that pain.

I can't offer the specific information you need, but I want you to know I'm sorry for the difficulties you're having. Just for the record, whatever you need to share is the right amount of information. It's not TMI. I can't offer any information Roxy, but I can offer you my sympathy and prayers for you and Kelsey and hope there is a turn around soon. You have been thru enough!
And please ignore the nitwits on here, they just don't know any better. Let's pray for them too as they also need help.
[QUOTE=Henrietta]then she wouldn't be able to throw her pity party [/QUOTE]

You are an asshole. Please crawl back into the hole you came from.

That's a first for me. Wow.

Yeah, I'm having a bad time myself.

Roxy, I hope you're able to get some much needed relief soon. I was on Enbrel but I'm off it now because it started causing Lupus-like symptoms. I'm sure there are plenty of folks on here who have tried and re-tried certain meds though. I hope you get some optimistic answers.

And I know what it feels like to be stuck in the house as I'm currently prisoner of our 2nd floor apartment. So you're not alone in that boat. *hugs* Definitely call the 1800 number to see if people at Enbrel can hook you up with the assistance program. I hope all the paperwork for Medicaid pushes through quickly for ya.

Try to smile some cause laughter seems to make it feel better if only for a minute or two. DH asked me earlier if I was feeling better and I said, "why, YES! I'm CURED!! And now I'm going to bounce right out of bed and turn cartwheels. Weehoo!!" I may have gotten medicaide and medicare mixed up. You have to be on SSDI 2.5 years to get the better one - much better. My biggest issue right now is to get my doctor to agree to write me a script for Enbrel. I have faith that there are resources available to get me back on it - especially since in Oct. I will receive the better insurance.

I pray a lot and I truly believe that turning the other cheek or forgiveness are the morally and bravest thing you can do so the people who do not know me and are critical or think I am having fun in this situation because it gets me attention - even though some times it hurts - but only a short while as they do not know me and I feel bad that some people have it in them that it is gratifying to attack people - especially possibly vulnerable people. That is one thing RA has done for me - made me focus on my spirituality, family and trying to be a better person.

I have a new question that I will start a new topic. I am so grateful that you are helping me and giving me ideas to brainstorm the best way to improve my health as much as possible.

Janie you are always there for me. I apologize for not being diligent about emails. They have piled up and I do not open most. When I have more energy I will.

I am so glad to here others have tried biologics again and they did work or help. I have hoped to hear that news. My Rd is very kind but very busy. He is very good at what he does, spends a lot of time with his patients, and takes terrible insurance such as mine. I hope he has the time to fight for me but if he does not, if I can just talk him into writing the script for Enbrel, I think I can fight that battle.

Love and support to all - even those that do not like me

I went off of Humira for a year after taking it for two years and it's working very well. I didn't go off of it because it wasn't working anymore though....so that's likely a different story.

Humira pays my co-pays for a year. My co-pay is now 0! Humira picks up the cost of that and after a year they'll pay 50% of the co-pay. I don't think you can be on any sort of government assistance program though and get this assistance though. They aren't actually paying the whole thing....just the co-pay that I'm obligated to pay.

Your doctor probable said go ahead with the Humira since you already had some on hand.

Good Luck.

Did Humira injection - No change. I have not heard back from rd. Depressing. I guess I will just have to make it to Oct. when I get Medicaire. Lovie - I have problems paying my utilities - no chance I can come up with money. LOVEHang in there. I have read about your struggles and I am so sorry you are going through all of this. Give the Humira some time, maybe it will start to work. Sometimes I think the biologics are working better than we realize. When I have read other peoples stories about how Enbrel made them feel better immediately, I thought the same would happen for me. Instead, the improvements I had were subtle and in some ways not very noticeable. It wasn't until I had to stop taking it these past few weeks due to surgery that I realized how much it actually is helping me. When my old symptoms started showing up again, it clicked. I think I expected the Enbrel to make me shiny and new with no symptoms. In actuality it just lessens the intensity and keeps everything to a dull roar. It was good to figure that out, and I am grateful for the relief it does bring. I do not expect to feel 100% the way I used to (which is what I thought I would get eventually with the right combo of meds) and I am fine with that and happy for stronger hands and relief of any kind. I realize I have never felt as poorly or faced the challenges that you have Roxy and I'm not comparing our situations at all. I can't imagine how hard it must be to suffer as you have and not get relief from what you have tried. But, don't lose hope. It's the only thing that gets us through some time. Sending you healing thoughts.
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