Re: NEEDED -info on how long it takes to fail MTX

[Guest guest]

, I don't think there's any set time. It depends on the

rheumatologist and also on the insurance company. I had to " fail " two

DMARD's before my rheumy considered a biologic. I " failed " mtx and

Arava because they caused my white blood cell count to get too low.

Even then, my insurance company made them jump through lots of hoops

before they approved me. It took a month, during which I could not take

a DMARD. They had to fill out lots of forms, then the insurance company

would make them fill out more and more. I guess they hoped they'd get

discouraged and quit asking. They said that my insurance was one of the

worst for getting patients approved, and I had the state insurance for

teachers and other state employees.

So you have to be patient. I'm sure that more doctors would prescribe

the biologics sooner if the insurance companies didn't have their hands

tied.

Sue

On Wednesday, March 15, 2006, at 03:31 PM, DJ wrote:

> I need an info on how long it takes to " fail " MTX before my DR can

> redirect my therapy to Enbrel or Humira. He told me that since it is

> an expensive drug, my insurance company will not authorize it until MTX

> has been deemed a failure. But he really wants to put me on it ASAP.

> Any thought?

[Guest guest]

Hi :

That's a tough call, as everybody reacts differently

to the meds we take. However, IMO, I would say give

Mtx at least 3 months, and then discuss adding another

med like Arava, Plaquenil, etc., or go biologic with

Enbrel or Humira. I was taking Mtx on it's own for

quite a while, but was unable to take Enbrel because

of insurance issues. When my insurance changed, I was

then able to add the Enbrel because my RA was

progressing even on the Mtx, which had gone up to 20

mg. per week. Since adding the Enbrel about 5 months

ago, I have had good relief. I hope that your

insurance will authorize the use of a biologic if you

find the Mtx, and other pill forms of DMARD do not

help you. They do make you jump through some hoops

sometimes, and I really disagree with the insurance

making rx decisions over the doctor. But that's the

way it is. How long have you been on the Mtx, and at

what dose? Are you on other meds?

Kathe in CA

--- DJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote:

> I need an info on how long it takes to " fail " MTX

> before my DR can

> redirect my therapy to Enbrel or Humira. He told me

> that since it is

> an expensive drug, my insurance company will not

> authorize it until MTX

> has been deemed a failure. But he really wants to

> put me on it ASAP.

> Any thought?

> Thanks,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe

" To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I would check with your insurance company. Some of them now

understand that the biologics can be first-line drugs and prevent

problems later. Just be sure that your doc is actually

knowledgeable about what your insurance company currently allows,

and not just talking about insurance companies in general.

>

> > I need an info on how long it takes to " fail " MTX

> > before my DR can

> > redirect my therapy to Enbrel or Humira. He told me

> > that since it is

> > an expensive drug, my insurance company will not

> > authorize it until MTX

> > has been deemed a failure. But he really wants to

> > put me on it ASAP.

> > Any thought?

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> Kathe

>

> " To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

,

I believe 3 months is considered ample time to see a response.

a

On Mar 15, 2006, at 3:31 PM, DJ wrote:

> I need an info on how long it takes to " fail " MTX before my DR can

> redirect my therapy to Enbrel or Humira. He told me that since it is

> an expensive drug, my insurance company will not authorize it until

> MTX

> has been deemed a failure. But he really wants to put me on it ASAP.

> Any thought?

> Thanks,

>