Re: HUMIRA users, info, patient asst program..etc

[Guest guest]

Hi ,.....Sorry to hear about Joe, I know how he feels. I have

had a flare forever, I believe. I can't hardly remember a good day

in the last 2 years.

I have been on Humira since December. When I first started taking

it, I noticed a big difference. Then not long, I started hurting

once again. There is better results if you can take the MTX with it,

which I can't because my liver enzymes go up. I talked with my

rheumy about it, and even though some times we don't get pain free

days, it stops the progression of the RA, and that is very important.

I started out taking it every two weeks, and then went to weekly with

still not better results. So, I'm back on bi-weekly once again. I

am on the patience assistance program, because of insurance issues.

You can check out the site, www.humira.com or 1-800-humira.

I am back on Loratab right now. I go back from Loratab to Darvocet,

I don't really won't to take anything stronger. The Darvocet doesn't

make me sleepy, but all people are different. I will say, I don't get

much relief from anything. I just try to deal with my pain the best

that I can each day.

Good luck, and I hope that Joe will get some relief soon, prayers for

you, and the family Tawny

>

> Hello RA buddies

>

> We just returned from our Rheumatologist appointment. I amazingly

got an appt for Joe today. His RA is in a severe flare and the pain

in his knee and his neck were unbearable and he came home from work

this AM. I still cant believe they got us in, but anyway...heres the

scoop:

>

> Joe has been taking Enbrel for approx 3 yrs now. The past 2-3

months he has been hurting more, stiffness lasting many hours upon

awakening, just plain overall not feeling good. Today he came home

from work saying his neck felt like a 50 lb bag of cement. The doc

said there is fluid in his knee and told Joe he would 'tap it' if he

wanted. His assumption is that the Enbrel has stopped being

effective for Joe. He said in about 15%--approx of the patients that

can happen too, altho it is not the norm. We talked along time in

the room and he told Joe the fastest way to get relief was

prednisone. He had himself weened off that and then put himself back

on because he is feeling terrible the last few months. He put him on

1 pill 3x a day for 1 week then slowly ween down...I forget what the

numbers are.

>

> He gave him Darvocet for pain. Joe has Vicodin but it knocks him

out and he could never function at work. He drives a forklift. Does

the Darvocet make you sleepy? Does it even help?

>

> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for

now. Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA

controlled as much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is

MORE expensive then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance

starting in Jan and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try

this only to find out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient

asst programs with this med? Where can I find info on getting help?

I know we are all in the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to

exhaust all efforts. I will take any leads I get

>

> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out

too long right?

>

> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> (and Joe) in PA

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,.....Sorry to hear about Joe, I know how he feels. I have

had a flare forever, I believe. I can't hardly remember a good day

in the last 2 years.

I have been on Humira since December. When I first started taking

it, I noticed a big difference. Then not long, I started hurting

once again. There is better results if you can take the MTX with it,

which I can't because my liver enzymes go up. I talked with my

rheumy about it, and even though some times we don't get pain free

days, it stops the progression of the RA, and that is very important.

I started out taking it every two weeks, and then went to weekly with

still not better results. So, I'm back on bi-weekly once again. I

am on the patience assistance program, because of insurance issues.

You can check out the site, www.humira.com or 1-800-humira.

I am back on Loratab right now. I go back from Loratab to Darvocet,

I don't really won't to take anything stronger. The Darvocet doesn't

make me sleepy, but all people are different. I will say, I don't get

much relief from anything. I just try to deal with my pain the best

that I can each day.

Good luck, and I hope that Joe will get some relief soon, prayers for

you, and the family Tawny

>

> Hello RA buddies

>

> We just returned from our Rheumatologist appointment. I amazingly

got an appt for Joe today. His RA is in a severe flare and the pain

in his knee and his neck were unbearable and he came home from work

this AM. I still cant believe they got us in, but anyway...heres the

scoop:

>

> Joe has been taking Enbrel for approx 3 yrs now. The past 2-3

months he has been hurting more, stiffness lasting many hours upon

awakening, just plain overall not feeling good. Today he came home

from work saying his neck felt like a 50 lb bag of cement. The doc

said there is fluid in his knee and told Joe he would 'tap it' if he

wanted. His assumption is that the Enbrel has stopped being

effective for Joe. He said in about 15%--approx of the patients that

can happen too, altho it is not the norm. We talked along time in

the room and he told Joe the fastest way to get relief was

prednisone. He had himself weened off that and then put himself back

on because he is feeling terrible the last few months. He put him on

1 pill 3x a day for 1 week then slowly ween down...I forget what the

numbers are.

>

> He gave him Darvocet for pain. Joe has Vicodin but it knocks him

out and he could never function at work. He drives a forklift. Does

the Darvocet make you sleepy? Does it even help?

>

> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for

now. Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA

controlled as much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is

MORE expensive then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance

starting in Jan and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try

this only to find out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient

asst programs with this med? Where can I find info on getting help?

I know we are all in the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to

exhaust all efforts. I will take any leads I get

>

> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out

too long right?

>

> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> (and Joe) in PA

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I remember getting statements from the online pharmacy that I used to

use, and it said my Humira was $1,286 per month (two doses). My co-

pay then was $50. I have to get it from Walgreens now, and it

doesn't say the cost, at least I don't think it does. I'll check

tonight. I know the cost varies from pharmacy to pharmacy, but it

should not be that much! I am sure Humira has assistance programs,

but I am not familiar with them. Have you checked their website?

Also, the rheumy should be able to help get you on the program if you

qualify.

I would also ask your rheumy about your new insurance. They should

be able to tell you if that insurance covers Humira since they likely

have other patients taking it with that insurance (assuming it's a

major carrier) and all the biologicals have to be pre-approved, so

they should even know if it is easy vs. difficult to get it

approved. I started Humira in January and switched insurances in

June. My rheumy's office had to get it re-approved through the new

insurance, but they did it in just a couple days.

You are right that Humira has been out less time than Enbrel. My

rheumy says he is/was on the instructional video for Enbrel, and was

a big fan of it when it was new. But now he recommends Remicade or

Humira. I guess some doctors like the fact Enbrel's been out longer,

but others feel newer is more improved. In any case, I've had as

good of response to Humira as my mom had to Enbrel when it was new.

She started Enbrel when it was in the trial phase.

I hope this helps.

Jennie

>

And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for

now. Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA

controlled as much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is

MORE expensive then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance

starting in Jan and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try

this only to find out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient

asst programs with this med? Where can I find info on getting help?

I know we are all in the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to

exhaust all efforts. I will take any leads I get

>

> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out

too long right?

>

> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> (and Joe) in PA

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I remember getting statements from the online pharmacy that I used to

use, and it said my Humira was $1,286 per month (two doses). My co-

pay then was $50. I have to get it from Walgreens now, and it

doesn't say the cost, at least I don't think it does. I'll check

tonight. I know the cost varies from pharmacy to pharmacy, but it

should not be that much! I am sure Humira has assistance programs,

but I am not familiar with them. Have you checked their website?

Also, the rheumy should be able to help get you on the program if you

qualify.

I would also ask your rheumy about your new insurance. They should

be able to tell you if that insurance covers Humira since they likely

have other patients taking it with that insurance (assuming it's a

major carrier) and all the biologicals have to be pre-approved, so

they should even know if it is easy vs. difficult to get it

approved. I started Humira in January and switched insurances in

June. My rheumy's office had to get it re-approved through the new

insurance, but they did it in just a couple days.

You are right that Humira has been out less time than Enbrel. My

rheumy says he is/was on the instructional video for Enbrel, and was

a big fan of it when it was new. But now he recommends Remicade or

Humira. I guess some doctors like the fact Enbrel's been out longer,

but others feel newer is more improved. In any case, I've had as

good of response to Humira as my mom had to Enbrel when it was new.

She started Enbrel when it was in the trial phase.

I hope this helps.

Jennie

>

And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for

now. Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA

controlled as much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is

MORE expensive then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance

starting in Jan and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try

this only to find out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient

asst programs with this med? Where can I find info on getting help?

I know we are all in the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to

exhaust all efforts. I will take any leads I get

>

> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out

too long right?

>

> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> (and Joe) in PA

>

[Guest guest]

Oh - I see why it's so expensive! He's recommending Joe take twice

the dose, so it would be twice the cost. Is there any chance he'd

let him try the normal dose, once every other week first, and if that

doesn't work, then up it to once weekly?

>

> >

> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

> anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for

> now. Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA

> controlled as much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is

> MORE expensive then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new

insurance

> starting in Jan and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to

try

> this only to find out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any

patient

> asst programs with this med? Where can I find info on getting

help?

> I know we are all in the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying

to

> exhaust all efforts. I will take any leads I get

> >

> > Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

> switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not

out

> too long right?

> >

> > Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> > (and Joe) in PA

> >

[Guest guest]

Oh - I see why it's so expensive! He's recommending Joe take twice

the dose, so it would be twice the cost. Is there any chance he'd

let him try the normal dose, once every other week first, and if that

doesn't work, then up it to once weekly?

>

> >

> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

> anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for

> now. Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA

> controlled as much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is

> MORE expensive then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new

insurance

> starting in Jan and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to

try

> this only to find out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any

patient

> asst programs with this med? Where can I find info on getting

help?

> I know we are all in the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying

to

> exhaust all efforts. I will take any leads I get

> >

> > Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

> switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not

out

> too long right?

> >

> > Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> > (and Joe) in PA

> >

[Guest guest]

,

Humira was approved by the FDA on December 31, 2002. Its safety profile

seems to be much like Enbrel and Remicade.

There are many reports of patients switching from one biologic to

another with success.

Is Joe on methotrexate (MTX), too? There seems to be a good case for

using MTX with all of the biologics, not just Remicade. The combination

appears to increase efficacy and duration of the biologic treatment.

Sorry about Joe's flare. Hope he feels much better soon.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] HUMIRA users, info, patient asst program..etc

>

>

> Hello RA buddies

>

> We just returned from our Rheumatologist appointment. I amazingly got

an appt for Joe today. His RA is in a severe flare and the pain in his

knee and his neck were unbearable and he came home from work this AM. I

still cant believe they got us in, but anyway...heres the scoop:

>

> Joe has been taking Enbrel for approx 3 yrs now. The past 2-3 months

he has been hurting more, stiffness lasting many hours upon awakening,

just plain overall not feeling good. Today he came home from work

saying his neck felt like a 50 lb bag of cement. The doc said there is

fluid in his knee and told Joe he would 'tap it' if he wanted. His

assumption is that the Enbrel has stopped being effective for Joe. He

said in about 15%--approx of the patients that can happen too, altho it

is not the norm. We talked along time in the room and he told Joe the

fastest way to get relief was prednisone. He had himself weened off

that and then put himself back on because he is feeling terrible the

last few months. He put him on 1 pill 3x a day for 1 week then slowly

ween down...I forget what the numbers are.

>

> He gave him Darvocet for pain. Joe has Vicodin but it knocks him out

and he could never function at work. He drives a forklift. Does the

Darvocet make you sleepy? Does it even help?

>

> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for now.

Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA controlled as

much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is MORE expensive

then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance starting in Jan

and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try this only to find

out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient asst programs with

this med? Where can I find info on getting help? I know we are all in

the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to exhaust all efforts. I

will take any leads I get

>

> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out too

long right?

>

> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> (and Joe) in PA

[Guest guest]

,

Humira was approved by the FDA on December 31, 2002. Its safety profile

seems to be much like Enbrel and Remicade.

There are many reports of patients switching from one biologic to

another with success.

Is Joe on methotrexate (MTX), too? There seems to be a good case for

using MTX with all of the biologics, not just Remicade. The combination

appears to increase efficacy and duration of the biologic treatment.

Sorry about Joe's flare. Hope he feels much better soon.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] HUMIRA users, info, patient asst program..etc

>

>

> Hello RA buddies

>

> We just returned from our Rheumatologist appointment. I amazingly got

an appt for Joe today. His RA is in a severe flare and the pain in his

knee and his neck were unbearable and he came home from work this AM. I

still cant believe they got us in, but anyway...heres the scoop:

>

> Joe has been taking Enbrel for approx 3 yrs now. The past 2-3 months

he has been hurting more, stiffness lasting many hours upon awakening,

just plain overall not feeling good. Today he came home from work

saying his neck felt like a 50 lb bag of cement. The doc said there is

fluid in his knee and told Joe he would 'tap it' if he wanted. His

assumption is that the Enbrel has stopped being effective for Joe. He

said in about 15%--approx of the patients that can happen too, altho it

is not the norm. We talked along time in the room and he told Joe the

fastest way to get relief was prednisone. He had himself weened off

that and then put himself back on because he is feeling terrible the

last few months. He put him on 1 pill 3x a day for 1 week then slowly

ween down...I forget what the numbers are.

>

> He gave him Darvocet for pain. Joe has Vicodin but it knocks him out

and he could never function at work. He drives a forklift. Does the

Darvocet make you sleepy? Does it even help?

>

> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for now.

Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA controlled as

much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is MORE expensive

then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance starting in Jan

and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try this only to find

out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient asst programs with

this med? Where can I find info on getting help? I know we are all in

the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to exhaust all efforts. I

will take any leads I get

>

> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out too

long right?

>

> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

> (and Joe) in PA

[Guest guest]

I forgot to say that Joe does take MEtho...along w celebrex......oh a brain

freeze here....but there are alot of pills he takes per day. He takes his

metho on sundays each week.

Thanks for the help...we so appreciate it!

and Joe

[ ] HUMIRA users, info, patient asst program..etc

>

>

>>

>>

>> Hello RA buddies

>>

>> We just returned from our Rheumatologist appointment. I amazingly got

> an appt for Joe today. His RA is in a severe flare and the pain in his

> knee and his neck were unbearable and he came home from work this AM. I

> still cant believe they got us in, but anyway...heres the scoop:

>>

>> Joe has been taking Enbrel for approx 3 yrs now. The past 2-3 months

> he has been hurting more, stiffness lasting many hours upon awakening,

> just plain overall not feeling good. Today he came home from work

> saying his neck felt like a 50 lb bag of cement. The doc said there is

> fluid in his knee and told Joe he would 'tap it' if he wanted. His

> assumption is that the Enbrel has stopped being effective for Joe. He

> said in about 15%--approx of the patients that can happen too, altho it

> is not the norm. We talked along time in the room and he told Joe the

> fastest way to get relief was prednisone. He had himself weened off

> that and then put himself back on because he is feeling terrible the

> last few months. He put him on 1 pill 3x a day for 1 week then slowly

> ween down...I forget what the numbers are.

>>

>> He gave him Darvocet for pain. Joe has Vicodin but it knocks him out

> and he could never function at work. He drives a forklift. Does the

> Darvocet make you sleepy? Does it even help?

>>

>> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

> anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for now.

> Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA controlled as

> much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is MORE expensive

> then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance starting in Jan

> and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try this only to find

> out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient asst programs with

> this med? Where can I find info on getting help? I know we are all in

> the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to exhaust all efforts. I

> will take any leads I get

>>

>> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

> switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out too

> long right?

>>

>> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

>> (and Joe) in PA

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I forgot to say that Joe does take MEtho...along w celebrex......oh a brain

freeze here....but there are alot of pills he takes per day. He takes his

metho on sundays each week.

Thanks for the help...we so appreciate it!

and Joe

[ ] HUMIRA users, info, patient asst program..etc

>

>

>>

>>

>> Hello RA buddies

>>

>> We just returned from our Rheumatologist appointment. I amazingly got

> an appt for Joe today. His RA is in a severe flare and the pain in his

> knee and his neck were unbearable and he came home from work this AM. I

> still cant believe they got us in, but anyway...heres the scoop:

>>

>> Joe has been taking Enbrel for approx 3 yrs now. The past 2-3 months

> he has been hurting more, stiffness lasting many hours upon awakening,

> just plain overall not feeling good. Today he came home from work

> saying his neck felt like a 50 lb bag of cement. The doc said there is

> fluid in his knee and told Joe he would 'tap it' if he wanted. His

> assumption is that the Enbrel has stopped being effective for Joe. He

> said in about 15%--approx of the patients that can happen too, altho it

> is not the norm. We talked along time in the room and he told Joe the

> fastest way to get relief was prednisone. He had himself weened off

> that and then put himself back on because he is feeling terrible the

> last few months. He put him on 1 pill 3x a day for 1 week then slowly

> ween down...I forget what the numbers are.

>>

>> He gave him Darvocet for pain. Joe has Vicodin but it knocks him out

> and he could never function at work. He drives a forklift. Does the

> Darvocet make you sleepy? Does it even help?

>>

>> And now for HUMIRA questions......I know you take this Jennie. Can

> anyone offer me info. He is going to take one injection a week for now.

> Possibly going to 1 injection @ 2 weeks as we get the RA controlled as

> much as its gonna get controlled. This medication is MORE expensive

> then Enbrel. $2900 a month! We have a new insurance starting in Jan

> and I am a bit worried. I would hate for him to try this only to find

> out he has to stop it in Jan. Is there any patient asst programs with

> this med? Where can I find info on getting help? I know we are all in

> the same boat insurance wise, but I am trying to exhaust all efforts. I

> will take any leads I get

>>

>> Jennie, or anyone else---have you ever been on Enbrel and then

> switched to HUMIRA? I am trying to research this drug...its not out too

> long right?

>>

>> Thanks for listing friends.......You are all the best!

>> (and Joe) in PA

>

>

>

>