Found out it's $55 co-pay every 90 days or $13.75 month. Should that matter??

I think they even have co-pay assistance cards that aren't needs based. You just need insurance that isn't Medicare.

My ins IS Medicare.

The IV meds like Orencia and Actemra are no co-pay cause they are considered treatment, not medication. I'm on a TIGHT budget. I live on $3K/month.

Side effects are very similar: increased risk of infection yada yada. And I pay a $15.50 co-pay every 28 days to have the infusion in my doc's office. Plus gas to go 26 miles RT every 28 days at nearly $3 a gallon.

That is the problem with Medicare. Has it been approved on your insurance and it is just the expense that is the issue?

This is why I get IVs and not at home injections or pills. I also have Medicare.

Not approved officially yet but my RX ins said it would be.

Sending you a private msg tomorrow. Too tired now.

I was on the regular Xeljanz back in 2014. I had three years of little to no bad side effects and an almost remission like state. Then overnight it was like I was taking nothing again. I tried 3 other meds in between to no avail and have just finished my first month on Xeljanz XR (we hoped the time off from it that it might work again) but alas it is definitely not working like the first time around. Over all it was a pleasant experience for me and obviously as we went back to it, I'd do it over again and again.

My first two immunosuppressants failed after about 2 years. I had 10 good years with Orencia. I am surprised your doc tried you back or Xeljanx, even the new improved. I was told a med fails never bother trying again, t won't work.

I have decided the cost difference is infinitesimal so now I await authorization to start Xeljanz.

Holy crowley moley...

I'm starting Zeljanx TODAY! Doc called. They have samples for me until my RX gets approved and filled and sent to me...

Awesome! I got samples too at first. Did they start you on regular 2x a day or extended release 1x? I was on both. It is easy to get hooked on the simplicity of 1 pill a day. Hope it works for you.

Did you get my msg?

i will look now.

i'm picking them up from doc's office later today

WarriorGal, my docs normally wouldn't go back to a drug once it's failed too. The only problem is the only drug I have not tried yet is an infused drug. My veins are that of an infants and I am on the verge of needing to use them for dialysis so I said no to it. The only option left is for me to retry meds I've used before.

Here's to hoping the Xeljanz works like Orencia did for you!

Oh, my, Smith. I'm so sorry to hear that. That has to go one my gratitude list. I have great veins which I might need again if Xeljanz doesn't work.

Smith,

"only drug I have not tried yet is an infused drug." Is that Rituxan? I've got pathetic veins, but the infusion nurses I've dealt with are great, plus I've learned some good tricks to help make veins pop a little. Rituxan takes 4 infusions a year, but you can get ports installed, to take the "stick" out of play. I know one RA person with a port, but lots of cancer patients.

Of course, I don't even know if that's the drug you're talking about, but it usually seems to be last on everyone's list. I've had good luck with Rituxan for several years and know a couple of people who have been on it for 10+ years. I'm not trying to sell you on that, and I'm with you on not retrying drugs, but I was lucky to find a good one after relatively few others and only one biologic.

Good luck to you and everyone else. RA is totally fucked.