Re: Kate G: Remicade

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph,

Thanks for the info. I have spent the past week trying to figure out if I

want to take Remicade. I have concerns about newer drugs. My Rheumy knows

that and respects this. But she knows I in pain and not where I should

be. Last Sunday I was on my feet for 11 1/2 hours, I was in major pain

through Wednesday. When I saw her Tuesday and asked her about goals for

relief, one of the goals is for that not to happen. Yesterday I starting

having pain again, not as bad. Then we went to the movies and my hips were

really bad. I had the hardest time getting to sleep last night. This

morning, I thinking about calling her Monday and saying sign me up! My

insurance should cover it with a standard $15 co-pay but I'm going to have

them check again.

I'd love to hear from others on Remicade.

Thanks,

Kate

At 10:00 AM 1/12/2007, you wrote:

>Hi Kate,

> Honestly, I feel great on Remicade. Prior to going on Remicade, I

> was seriously considering going on disability -- at age 22! I was really

> fortunate that when I was dx'd my rheumy talked to me about aggressive,

> early treatment and fought with my insurance for then to pay for it (this

> was in 2000 before most insurances covered it before making you try

> everything else). Also, I was unemployed for a few months in 2004. Since

> I was on unemployment I was immediately approved for their patient

> assistance program 100%. They never charged me a cent. Even after I got a

> new job with new insurance, they paid for an additional treatment so that

> my schedule wasn't delayed because of pre-authorization.

> 20 minutes before my treatment begins I take 1000 mg of Tylenol

> and 25mg of Benadryl to prevent an allergic reaction -- so I'm take a new

> nap after my treatment.

> Also, the Patient assistance program will help pay for it if your

> copay is more than you can afford. You just need to give them a pay stub

> (or bank statement) and a letter from your insurance & they'll approve

> you in a day of so.

>

> Let me know if you have more questions.

>

> Steph in VA:)

>

> Steph,

>How do you feel on Remicade? I found out this week my Rheumy wants me to

>try it. So I was going back in the emails refering to Remicade.

>

>Thanks,

>Kate G

>

>

>

>Hi Bunny,

>This is Steph in VA. Remicade, Enbrel & Humira are in the same class of

>drugs but work differently in each person -- the same way that I take

>Ibuprofen as an NSAID & someone else may take naproxyn.

>

> Anyway, Remicade is given 4 treatments close together (weeks 1, 2, 4, 6

> & 8) and then adjusted based on the patient's needs. The original dosage

> is determined by weight. The FDA recommended dosage is 100-1000 mg every

> 4 to 8 weeks as determined by your rheumy. I started Remicade at 200 mg

> every 8 weeks. 6 years later I now take 400 mg every 6 weeks. I tried

> Enbrel before Remicade but it didn't work for me.

>

> Also, when I started Remicade in 2000 it plus Enbrel were the only

> drugs in the biologic group. Now there is Humira, Kineret, Orencia & Rituxan.

>

> About the way Remicade is administered ... it just has to be given by a

> healthcare professional. When I lived in NYC I received it at my rheumy's

> office. Then I got it in the outpatient wing of the local hospital (since

> I lived right across the street). Now, best of all, I get it at home with

> a home health care nurse (and don't pay a cent thanks to my awesome

insurance).

>

>Take care,

>Steph in VA

>

>

>

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