Guest guest Posted October 14, 2003 Report Share Posted October 14, 2003 Hello out there... I'm new to the group an thought I would say hello. I am 36 yrs old and have RA since I was about 28. My mother had an autoimmune disease as well (Myesthenia Gravis) and I suspect a genetic pattern here. I have had peaks and valleys with the disease. A couple of years ago I reached the point where I could barely walk anymore due to extreme pain in my ankles and feet. None of the standard medications were working (methotrexate) and my insurance was resistant to pay for Enbrel. So, my doc at the time suggested I participate in a research trial for a new arthritis drug coming to market. Which I did - and it's been the best thing in the world for me. The study was 1 year long but I have extended it and have been on the medicine for about 3 years now. Once a month I get an infusion that takes about 1/2 an hour- and that's all there is to it. After I started on it, it was like I never had arthritis at all - truly amazing. My concern now is that I can't stay on it forever - it will be going to market in the next couple of years and I won't be able to stay on the study any longer. I suspect it's going to be expensive on the open market (right now my treatments are free), and then it's back to fighting with the insurance company for appropriate treatment. The good news is that there are new drugs coming to market that REALLY help and don't have the side effects that many of the current treatments do - I have been really lucky to be involved with this study. Brad Hinson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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