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...

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Enbrel

TerriH52
TerriH52
I have been on Enbrel once weekly since Nov. 2008 and Mtx since Feb 2007. I was wondering has anyone heard that you can take Enbrel every 2 weeks once you are in remission. am tryimg to stretch out what I have left of the Enbrel which is 2 months. My insurance deductible for biologics is $500 for the first time starting in Jan. and with the help of Enliven services after that I can get it for 5 months then the ins. part runs out for biologics.
Christine26
Christine26
Oh Oh Terri, that's not good. A lot of insurance companies are changing things up. I have heard of people taking Enbrel twice a month because that holds them as far as stiffness and pain. Good luck Terri and keep us posted. Christine
bigiblue
bigiblue
I am also on Enbrel. Enbrel is paying for mine and after one year it's $10.00/mos. That is what Enbrel told me themself's. Maybe you can check on this.
bigi
deleted_user
deleted_user
That is great! I have been on it too, and it was amazing, however now I am trying to get back on it. I can't seem to find a insurance company that will cover it? Can you help me? Thanks
TerriH52
TerriH52
The only good thing that Obama Care did for me is now my insurance carrier, Aetna, has dropped the yearly 5,000$ limit on biologics. So now I only have topay $25 a month for the Enbrel except in Jan. when my deductible starts over which is $500 plus the $25. Then the Enliven services help me out..
deleted_user
deleted_user
Nobody ever told me that I could stretch it out but for financial reasons I do, I've gone as long as 2 weeks but usually it's about 10 or 11 days and then it's time for another. I hope this isn't going to cause me a problem down the road.
Sue
TerriH52
TerriH52
I tried stretching it out for 2 weeks and the pain came back and I had more flares than I have had since I was diagnosed. The most I can go is 10 days. My doctor told me to not go every 2 weeks because of the pain coming back worse. That maybe because I have it severly according to him which I question as I am only now getting the deformed fingers. So now I take it every week since my insurance has changed it policies.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Today I start a new Enbrel program. Since the prednisone didn't bring the disease under control, my RA doc decided he wants to keep me on Enbrel instead of changing because of other medical problems I have.

I'll be taking 2 shots a week now, Monday & Thursday. I know some people take a lower does twice a week but didn't know you could take the higher dose twice a week. Of course the worse part will be knowing I have to poke myself twice, guess I'll get over it.
bigiblue
bigiblue
I am in remission also, and my Dr. has told me I could take it every other week, but if I start to hurt, go back to once a week. Well I was sick and had to stop for 6 weeks, and did just fine so I know I probably would do fine every other week.
Holee, what is the dosage you'd be taking 2x a week. Mine is 50mg 1x a week and I use the Sure Click, which is real easy to use unlike the Needles that you see. Ask you Dr. if you can use them.
TerriH52
TerriH52
I am doing the 50mg once weekly and with the needles, which I don't mind too much. I was on the 25mg twice a week but started having "cold" sweats just thinking about sticking myself twice a week so he switced me to once a week. At one point when my insurance was messing me around I tried the sure click. Loved them but they were more expensive so I went back to the needles. Now that my insurance has changed what they will pay I may go back to the sure click.