My rheumy hadn't known that my meds had the potential to drive up sugars, and she said so! This makes leflunomide the last failed DMARD I needed to apply for coverage for biologics. I don't remember the name of the other choice she offered, but I remembered seeing much positive about Enbrel, so that's what I picked. The rheumy also did an ultrasound of my hand and found disease activity...that was very cool to watch! She explained what she was looking for and what she was seeing. I'm discontinuing the lef, and not much looking forward to the probable flare, but I'm glad to be moving on to the biologics. I'll still be on mtx, but lower doses once I start my other injection. We are having an absolutely gorgeous day here, and I feel very positive and hopeful. I start a chronic pain self-management course tonight, too. I send out warm fuzzies to everyone
xx
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Azabat
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Oh Bats what a lovely photo of you darling. You are having a real time of it aren't youn darling. I can't say anything that hasn't been said before so i am sending you my love and big hugs darling.xxxxx
Hi batty
Is that your rheumy?
She looks lovely.
Great news you are getting the go ahead for biological st last!!!
Morning tinat, Good luck to us both, then! I'm seronegative so my rheumy narrowed it down to one of two, but the nurse was really good at describing the differences. I'm glad I won't have to fill my own syringes for this one! xx
A lovely picture! Glad it's a bright day where you live. Here in my part of UK not sunny, but at least it's not raining at the moment. Hope you do well on the new regime,
I was on enbrel for 8 years, it was the best drug I have ever taken, it got me out of a wheelchair in 12 weeks. I wish you all the very best and hope it works some magic for you.
I can tell you that Enbrel has made a huge difference in my everyday life and I hope it does the same for you!
Hello Azabat,
If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions to ask you. As we both live in BC, how many DMARDs do we have to fail in order to be able to have a biologic? Are biologic's covered with our BC medical plan, or do we have to pay out of our pockets?
Hullo Suzanne. I think it's four DMARDs we need to fail, or have reactions to, but you can talk to pharmacare to find out for sure. My rheumy and her nurse made application to the ministry to cover the cost entirely, so I imagine yours would do the same. Essentially it's a special authority to have the med covered, but there doesn't seem to be an question that it will be. I'm on disability, so the chances of me being able to afford it are laughable. You could call health link at 811 to talk to a nurse, or ask your rheumy to be certain. gentle hugs backatacha!
Thanks for your response Azabat. I am so relieved that there is away for us to recieve the biologics for free. I have a customer who has to pay $1700 a month for her biologic. I don't know her financial situation, but I do know that I could never afford that. I only make $2200 a month, and I fear I might not be able to continue working with this awful disease.
I have my fingers crossed that Enbrel is your miracle drug.
Hey Suzanne, I just got more information about coverage. Pharmacare usually has a deductible, then a family limit before it's completely covered. However, the company that makes Enbrel has a program that will help cover that deductible if you can't do it.
Thank you so much Azabat. Although the sulfa I'm on is trying to "kick in" I always fear the worst. I'm the kind of person who needs her "ducks in a row" I want to thank you for all the information you have shared with me. It has put my mind at ease.
I used Enbrel for 13 years and it worked great. The last few years, tho, I started becoming susceptible to infection and had pneumonia twice. Orencia and Actemra haven't worked so now I'm getting ready to start Rituxan? I recommend taking a good amount of probiotics.
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Newly diagnosed, so many questions!!!
Biologics or not that is the question.
Just started Enbrel
So...change of plan starting Leflunomide (not Biologics)
