Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Bug - How ya doin?

Bug,
I never could grasp the "old" forums while the site was being fixed. (Kudos to the folks who got it up and running again!). Anyway, I did try to check in when I could to see how you were doing on the new meds. Please let me know!
:-)
Rita
(who missed the folks here)

Hi Rita,
This bug is better. A small breakdown. Started Enbrel. Had three very good weeks. Then Art lost his job. There went by Enbrel and insurance. Terrible flare in progress, but on the up and up, Art has a job he started now. So THANK goodness things are rolling along again. Hopefully in a couple months I'll have insurance again. The Enbrel didn't help the upper back thoracic nightmarish pain but it was effective on my knees and lower back. Helped to get me through the days much better. Thanks for asking. How are you these days?? I missed this place too!!!

happy bug


Adios!
Buggie

hey bugs,

you have a right to cobra insurance in us from any employment-related insurance program.
they have to provide the same benefits for 18 months...it's the law...
and i believe they have to cover the first 30 days while they're billiing you and letting you make up your mind
about keeping the coverage.
they do charge a good price for it.
but $1500 a month in enbrel for a $300/400 insurance premium is a good deal.
keep fighting
aloha Ben ( no longer incognito or exiled)

Oh, gee --- I am so sorry to hear about Art! (sigh) I was really hoping the Enbrel was kicking in and you were kicking butt!!! I'll send some good thoughts your way.

We've moved into the new (and still a little unfinished house) and... (drumroll....) Burlie returned to work a few weeks ago. (YIPPEE!) He is learning his limits and realizing he must must must continue his OTC meds and the prescription they gave him at Mayo AND his home PT regimen. It didn't take him long to return to his old "work" self (i.e., hates his job, grumbles about it daily...). I've given him the green light to start searching elsewhere. I told him our lives are more than half over and doing something he hates every day will make him a bitter old man. Life's too short. But he lives life on the safe side (at least he always did until our year-long saga of "You have AS, no IAIYH")!!! At 47, he's about due for that mid-life guy thing so anything could happen with the job. Oh, my.

Anyway ~ I will wish for some good days for you ahead. Please know that you're on my mind.

:-)
Rita

Hi Rita,

I'm a newbie around here but see that I am in a similar situation to you. I don't have AS but my husband just got diagnosed in April this year at 27 years old. So I guess I just wanted to say hi and that I can relate to how difficult it is to watch your nearest and dearest struggle with this disease.

I'm sure Burlie couldn't do it without you so wish you both all the best. I hope he can find a more inspiring job coz as you say - life's too short!!

See ya
Chelsea :)

Hi Angie,

Glad things are turning around for you with Art getting back to work. Hope you get some pain relief very soon.

I've been doing longer walks with Dorrit in the evening and so far, I'm doing well. May be running some day?

Take care and keep smiling,

George

Hi, Angie!

I am glad that someone asked so that we could get an update. I also am glad to hear that the Enbrel was helping somewhat. I believe that they have some sort of Patient Assistance program.

Si Ud., algún familiar o alguien conocido que utilice ENBREL necesita ayuda y habla español, puede comunicarse con uno de nuestros representantes llamando al siguiente número de teléfono: 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735).

My current situation is similar to what your situtation was, in that my spouse lost her job two weeks ago. This happened just as I had verified that her insurance would cover my treatments with Humira.

Yep, it is good that the forums have returned!

Best regards,

jcwinnie

In medical studies, ENBREL was shown to be effective in about 3 out of 5 adults with AS who used it. Clinical responses were seen by 2 weeks in 40% of patients, with most patients receiving maximum benefit within 8 weeks.

hey there!
thanks for the tip. as a matter of fact the insurance has NOT sent any paper work like my old job did with cobra option yet. i signed up for the medicare but no prescription. i called enbrel per rheumy call. they said i should qualify for some foundation that i can get assistance with. how much i have no clue. i wish i could do cobra, but with three wee ones, the wee one my most expensive and art floating with temp jobs, it's not an option. but i called and they are sending me paperwork!! fingers crossed!!
thanks!!!
take care !


Adios!
Buggie