Kate G: Remicade

[Guest guest]

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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