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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nomorera 06/26/2014

Well after 18 months on Humira it looks like it's losing it's effectiveness on me.

My Dr. is switching me to Enbrel, after a 3 month long flare that has settled into my left wrist and right hand and isn't responding to increase in MTX or prednisone.

I start the Enbrel next Friday. Hope it works.

I have to say I have a lot of big changes coming up and I am going to have to buy insurance through the exchange when we move. I am worried about my meds being covered.
Hoping to be able to afford a good plan with low or no deductible and that Enbrel will still extend their assistance program to lower my costs.

I have been so happy with Humira up to now, I am apprehensive about switching meds.

Just wanted to share.

thanks to you all!

bcatz 06/26/2014

Enbrel was amazing for me! Did you stop your humira and restart? I'm wondering what triggered it's ineffectiveness.

RetiredNow1 06/26/2014

I'm sorry to hear that Humira stopped working for you, but I understand that embrel takes a different approach, so here's hoping that it works for you.

I've been on Humira with MTX for about a year now. I've heard others say that it has lost its effectiveness after a while. It's kind of waiting to hear the other shoe drop. It's working for me now, but will it stop? I guess there is no way to predict.

I do hope that you find insurance that works for you, low deductible and affordable. Keep us posted as to how you get along on Embrel.

sammyo1 06/27/2014

Enbrel did help me. Very quickly to.
Side effects were a pain but the relief was nice.
Really hope it helps you.
Wishing you the best of luck.
Sammy

ILoveHuskies 06/27/2014

I have been taking Enbrel for about 3 years now. It still takes the edge off the aches and pains but I think it is starting to loose it's effectiveness. My hand and wrist have more swelling and pain sometimes. I feel more fluid in my legs than I used to. When I use the Enbrel I don't need any pain killers. I inject it on my upper thighs. I found the higher up the thigh the less it stings. When I first took it I felt like I was in remission.

nomorera 07/02/2014

I did not stop taking the Humira bcatz, but I was doing so well back in February we (the Dr. and I) took me off the MTX and then I went through a horribly stressful emotional upheaval. Going back on the MTX didn't help even at 7 a week, and Prednisone didn't do anything but make me sick to my stomach, so after 3 months my Dr. decided to switch me to Enbrel.
I have been pre-approved and should receive my first shipment next week. The Dr. said not to bother using the last Humira injection but I can't see wasting the medication, so I will use it this Friday since it is still helping me somewhat and start the Enbrel 2 weeks after that.

KiddoGal 07/02/2014

Enbrel (with a combination of Methrtrexate) works for me. It is the only biologic I have been on and it has been 5 years now. I am hoping that I can just continue with the two drugs and never have to change as I am used to them and have no side effects. Hope you have the same success as I do!!!

altoclef 07/03/2014

Just so you know, policies sold through the exchange should cover biologics (mine does) and there's no problem with using co-pay assistance programs with these policies. The policy we bought through the exchange has been fabulous- much better coverage than what we had before.

nomorera 07/03/2014

thanks altoclef. I am relieved to hear that. If my bf and I marry then I will be on Tri-Care which does not qualify for the assistance program, but I wont be paying $500 a month in insurance premiums.
I don't know how much Tri-Care covers on specialty drugs but that is a conversation for another day...if we ever marry.

Right now is right now. Thanks everyone for your support.

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