Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications start Cimzia next week.

I cant believe my insurance company didnt question cimzia after we put it through. They are sending it to me tuesday. It's supposed to work very quickly like enbrel. that is if it works. it's pegylated (spelling?) meanining it slowly releases in the body. So it works fast yet it's slowly released. LOL. Okay.

will let everyone know how it works. I developed antibodies to enbrel and remicade. Humira, which I am on now, I can barely feel a difference.

I'll be interested to hear how it goes! Good luck!

That's good. Always nice to gear up for a fight, then not need it.
Hope it helps! I'm waiting to try Enbrel soon. Maybe 2 more weeks?

What do you do if your insurance company won't approve a TNF blocker? I am at a lost. I can't possibly afford it on my own. I am progressing so rapidly now. My Dr. want's me on Humira but they don't seem to want to pay for it. I have been on Sulphasalazine.

Ask your Dr. to appeal the decision on the Humira. Some insurance co.s always say no in the hopes you wont fight them. Also call them and tell them how bad you are feeling. Make a nuisance of yourself. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Put the insurance co.s # on speed dial and call every day. Keep asking to talk to a supervisor.

Pea, I really sympathize

Try to keep fighting. Keep calling your insurance co and try to get your docs to help as well. You may also try calling the enbrel/remicade/humira companies as well - they usually have compassionate programs where they will help cover the cost of your med if you can't afford it. They also have nurses who can give you advice on how to get your insurance company to cover it. Just keep calling and keep trying to persuade them.

Good luck. I really hope that it works out.
Hugs!

there is no excuse for an insurance company to deny a biologic if you have the diagnosis of AS. THe only reason i was suprised they okay'd cimzia is it's only approved for RA and chrons.

have the MD send documentation that biologic are proven medicine for AS. Threaten to sue them if they dont approve. Rattle some chains.

About Cimzia - Is it a weekly injection like Enbrel? Does it need to be refrigerated?

I am looking for options of TNF inhibitors that will be compatible with long term travel. If I could find something that doesn't need to be refrigerated - or a pill - it would make my life much easier.

well tried cimzia and within two days all my symptoms were gone and I felt great. Then I started with some major fatigue and my joints started hurting bad.
Same antibody reaction I had with remicade.
I took some prednisone and switched back to humira. one shot of humira gave me a lot of relief.

Oh, that's bad news. I'm glad that Humira helped after all.