Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Who's on Enbrel

Dan,
I hadn't seen this thread before, but thought I'd chime in. I've been on Enbrel on a regular basis since about last September. Most of the problems I had were trying to sleep at night. I could NEVER get a full nights sleep. Most times I'd wake up in such misery that I could about cry. Since Enbrel, not only do I feel better much of the day, but I can also sleep like a baby at night. In fact, its more the norm if now I sleep all night without waking up. I tend to get up maybe once every other night just to use the bathroom and thats it. I still find, however, if I sit too long at my computer here at work that I stiffen up and get sore. At that point, I have to get up and walk around a while and it will go away.
Glad you posted this and continued good luck with your Enbrel treatment.
Glenn

Glenn,
Glad you dropped in......thats what Enbrel has done for me so far. I can finally sleep all night. But, when I wake and if I do....most of my body is numb or in pain.....I guess I have to continue the Enbrel.
I still can not touch the back of the wall with my head( you know how the rhuemy test your back) when I stand next to it....due to my hunch back......my neck pain has almost gone too....I will continue with Enbrel....
The only bad thing now is that I lost my rhuemy.....I switch insurance not of my own but because Healthkeeper dropped the post office. So now I have to switch rhuemy...and I just hope my new insurance will cover my shots....
I had a heck of a time trying to get my last insurance to cover the Enbrel shots. i get to see my new rhuemy on Feb 28.....I have 6 more Enbrel shots left....
ok see ya later thanks for the info.

Dan

HI Dan,

Sounds like you were really busy. Hope to see you at a later time.

I continue on the study. Just changed insurance companies. Good thing the medication is free throught the study, otherwise it would not be cover except through the health care portion of my insurance. It would be subject to a deductable etc.

My company is self-insured and has a clearinghouse pay the claims. My company says that the Enbrel is not life sustaining; thus they will not pay through the pharmacy plan.

Betty

Betty,
I just called my pharmacist, and my new insurance covers Enbrel but only on a month to month basis. I guess that means I have to get a prescription every month from my rhuemy. That means that my insurance will have to pay the doctor so he can prescript the Enbrel, so my insurance can pay for the Enbrel and so on and so forth.
That ludicrous because then my new insurance will pay more out....oh well, if thats what they want to do thats fine with me.
Oh was I getting upset..no....just blowing a little stream out....sorry you were my sounding board Betty...
Yes, I was busy in San Antonio, I had a wonderful time. That was the first Christmas and New Year with my mom in 33 years. Anyway...I hope you doing great....
Dan

Dan, insurance companies are all mixed up.

My insurance will cover Enbrel but no the pharmacy end of it. Thus instead of a small fee, the fee would be 120 a month. Still better than pain..

I will have to take a close look at the $$$ as I get closer to the study being over.



Betty

The pharmacy just orders the medication and can only charge your co-payment of your insurance. Unless your insurance co-payment is 120.00. What did your pharmacy say?..your card tell you what you pay for medication. Something sounds funny with your pharmacy....Or unless you have a RX deductible which could be later ....say if you have a rx deductible of 500.00 do you understand that....?

Dan

Hi Dan...it is not the pharmacy that says it will be 120, it is the insurance company. My insurance company does not cover injectable medications except Insulin through Rx benefit. It has to paid as a medical expense. Thus, 500 deductable and than a 90/10 co-pay. They do not regard Enbrel as life sustaining....but Insulin is. Thus, the difference. Hope this clarifies.

Wish it were different!! I do not look forward to 120 a month but it could be worse.

Betty

I see now Betty....but when it comes to your health and it helps a great deal money should not be an issue. But I understand if the income can not be made, then it becomes an issue. I would then turn to the state and see if they would help.
Good Luck.
Dan

Dan,
Very true. When it comes to leave the study, I will evaulate my options.
I'm also going to hand this off to the insurance folks at Enbrel. I've heard that they know all the "in's and out's" of getting the funds.

Best wishes to you.

Betty