Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
OK here is the scoop. I have a chance to get into a study for Humira and Orencia. I would be taking one of these Biologics with my existing dose of methotrexate. The criteria was that you have never taken any biologics, You are new to RA. And are only taking methotrexate. I fit the bill. They want to do a side by side comparison of the 2 biologics. So I believe that 50 people will be taking Humira and 50 taking Orencia. I went through the screening process and it looks like I have a good chance at being accepted into the study. I will be given one of the 2 biologics for six months than 2 months of follow up appointments then the study ends.
Here is my delema: I have no insurance and cannot afford to pay for a Biologics once the study is done. Would this be worse for me than not taking them at all. Or could I possibly be ok to take them for 6 months then add a more affordable drug to my methotrexate. I have an appointment with my regular Rheumy on the 11th of July and will be able to ask him before I actually start the study, but I thought I would chime in here and see what you guys think. I am a sucker for any thing free. Just the screening alone was really good. In one afternoon I saw a Rheumy, a joint specialist, got free chest, hands and feet x rays. And a ton of labs done. I would also have an appointment once a month with a study doctor (Rheumy) joint specialist , and labs to follow the progress of the biologic. Sooo do i take advantage of a free Biologic or would this not be a good idea. Ohhh did I mention they are free...lol.
Here is my delema: I have no insurance and cannot afford to pay for a Biologics once the study is done. Would this be worse for me than not taking them at all. Or could I possibly be ok to take them for 6 months then add a more affordable drug to my methotrexate. I have an appointment with my regular Rheumy on the 11th of July and will be able to ask him before I actually start the study, but I thought I would chime in here and see what you guys think. I am a sucker for any thing free. Just the screening alone was really good. In one afternoon I saw a Rheumy, a joint specialist, got free chest, hands and feet x rays. And a ton of labs done. I would also have an appointment once a month with a study doctor (Rheumy) joint specialist , and labs to follow the progress of the biologic. Sooo do i take advantage of a free Biologic or would this not be a good idea. Ohhh did I mention they are free...lol.
I think you would really scramble and dig at that point, to find some funding, assuming one or the other drug works. If you do get Orencia, it can take up to 6 months to work. (In my case it took 9 months). So I am not sure how that is even a fair clinical trial.
So yes, go in the trial, and fight to get some funding. The companies are pretty good that way, despite what those against "big Pharma" would like to have us believe.
The Arthritis Center I go to does a lot of these studies. I was between being insured when I had to stop working and had qualified for a Humira vs. Enbrel study. I was all set to go when I got myself insurance then backed out.
In your situation, like other have stated, I would definitely get into the study. During that 6 months you have plenty of time to hopefully get assistance from the manufacturer or other places.
Worse comes to worse, when the study is done, you will have to stop the biologic. There are no adverse effects from stopping. In the beginning I started/stopped Humira twice - 6 months on / 6 months off until I got insurance squared away. After stopping the positive effect (if any) still lasts a month or so and just gradually goes away bringing you back to where you started.
Also - these studies are funded by the manufacturers. When you get into the study ask about funding assistance - being you are in a study they might have some extra info for you to keep going after the study. I'm sure this is very common for people in the studies - most of them are there because they are caught between insurance and cost out of pocket. There very well may be a program attached to the study for you to continue afterwards.