Okay, so now after , ,000 that medicare had to pay, I had to pay 20%, 'they say' it isn't working! Now, I can go to another expensive drug, like Enbrel, OR Humira, OR, (MY Idea)...Add plaquenil to the Rem/mtx and get off of the prednisone??
Who knows? My old achy foot (left) is bugging me and my hands are still stiff and swollen.
the mystery treatmen, lv sarah
Plaquenil would be like taking a step backwards. It is a first line very mild drug. If you are looking to go on it to save money it isn't worth it. You might end up miserable in the end.
All these biologics are very expensive. There is no getting around that. The combo of humira and mtx or enbrel and mtx can work wonders.
Do you have supplemental insurance to go along with your medicare?
No my dumb insurance doesn't help with this (I don't think!) I'm talking about staying on the Remicade/MTX and adding plaq???THEN I can get off of the prednisone?....jsut a thought. Sarah
I think it is far too early to say "it isnt working" talk to him about upping the MTX and upping the Remicade and getting it every 4 weeks.
My RD every now and then acts like he isnt happy with how my RA is being managed, but I figure if I'm happy with the results of the remicade then its up to me to say so.
its only been 4 infusions right? is there ANY relief?
Sarah
your first goal needs to be to get the disease under control, then you can worry about getting off the pred. For you right now it is a necessary evil
But it is ultimately up to you what you do with the meds. I still beleive that you may be giving up on the remicade too soon. You just went to a higher dose right? What infusion interval are you on right now? What does he say to upping the MTX and doing 4 week intervals of the remicade.
Have you gotten a second opinion on your treatment course? It really does not sound like you and your doctor are on the same page