Had Psa for about 18 months and have only seen a GP for help. No insurance and was prescribed prednisone 15mg a day. Have heard nothing but bad about prednisone but I am at a very managable pain level vs barely able to hold down my job before taking it. Have undesirable side effects but compared to the pain I was in they are acceptable for now. My question to the group is how important is being on the newer drugs like embrel and humera to control overall symptoms and long term joint problems vs being on prednisone at $7 a month? I've been told the biologics run around $1400 a month. Looking at ways to get insurance but they would require a change in employment and probably a less favorable job. Any feedback? Thanks.
Hi Westy,
It is always tricky to stay on Prednisone, as I’m sure you are already aware of the long term effects.
Newer biologics, especially in combination doses can be very therapeutic, however this may take your specialist a while to get it right for you.
The cost is a bugger, but worth it to halt progressive joint damage.
First…let me say…I do have insurance but I’ve elected to not use Biologics ( for now) because I’m fearful of them…(.I posted about this…) I only take 3-4 mg Prednisone a day to control inflammation in my hands which, for now, works OK…but I worry that the disease is progressing.
Getting back to your situation: have you checked into contacting the Pharmaceutical companies directly to see about assistance plans? Most have financial aid for people without insurance. But, in order to get the right medication, you will need to get it prescribed by a Rheumatologist . That will cost you for an office visit…unfortunately. A GP doesn’t deal with those types of drugs. As your GP for a referral or maybe he/ she can make a call for you to get you seen.
The Rheumatologist would most likely have info about financial aid for the various drugs.
Best to you…
.
I was on Prednisone for 8 months, in the same situation as you (could not work without it), got a bone scan, and in that short time it had caused osteopenia in my spine (along with me starting to get all the classic pred side effects - moon face etc - then you know that you are prednisone dependent, and are no longer making cortisol properly yourself).
The thought of a spinal fracture scared the heck out of me, so between the side effects and the high liklihood of something really nasty happening in the short term (like a couple of years), yes the cost of the biologics was worth it. It is different here in Aus and after initially paying for it myself, I now have a government subsidised biologic, but there are definitely discussions on the forum about a number of programs in the US that provide subsidised biologics to eligible people, even without insurance - someone else might chime in here, or you can search on the forum.
And two other things about prednisone - I started weaning off it (10-12mg a day) in September. I celebrated finally getting clean two days ago, and it was not a fun 5 months. Not a good payback for only 8 months of relief with the gift of osteopenia. And number two, the biologics have been shown to be very effective in preventing structural damage to the joints of people with PsA, whereas moderate dose prednisone has not been shown to have any significant effect on progression of joint damage.
So my two cents is that it is definitely worth the effort to do the research on the various subsidy programs to see if you can get the cost within your reach.
Hi Westy,
Try going to pcip.gov and search for your state. This program will enable you to get insurance even though you have a pre-existing condition. I use CA version and it works great.
You need to monitor your bone density while on prednisone - I understand it can cause major bone density issues. You may need to take calcium, actonel or fosamax while on prednisone.
I have seen somewhere in 2012 about a lawsuit from people who have actually taken Fosamax. Maybe someone can look this up before trying it. I believe I saw it on t.v.....not sure which channel.
Frances said:
You need to monitor your bone density while on prednisone - I understand it can cause major bone density issues. You may need to take calcium, actonel or fosamax while on prednisone.
There is risk of infection with the biologics. The occurence of serious infections (requiring hospitalization) is no higher than with out and less than with prednisone. the "cancer scare" has been disproved. Prednisone will not only seriously screw up your life, unlike biologicals it will kill you.
Prednisone will not prevent permanent damage that will cripple you, the biologicals can
Its than simple
Ok, so after losing my job 3 yrs ago after the company I worked for did layoffs, I found myself with no insurance either, and I am on I.V. therapy, Remacaid every 6 weeks, it's a 3-4 thousand dollar I.V. w/o insurance, I went to my group of Doctors I visit and talked to the financial advisor of the company and they do have help out there for people without insurance that need these meds, you will have to verify income/tax returns/paystubs etc and some other things but pharmaceuticals do offer paying for your meds, you should try that route first. I wish you luck! I had to walk many miles of let downs before finding this out. I didn't have my meds for almost 6 mths due to it, it really was hell. I went on prednisone too 10 mg at first then down to 5mg, it is a wonder drug for me, but it leads to obesity which leads to heart disease/diabetes, that is the scare my doc was concerned with as I have progresses so much with my disease i can't exercise anymore without hurting immensely. My weight has gone up hill, something i'm working on. I need to see if an OT can help me now. No one should live in the pain we have from having PsA. Best of Luck to you I hope you find help too! the medications fro arthritis stop the crippling affect or should I say stall it, prednisone although makes you feel great compared to what you were feeling like does not, it just hides the pain for awhile. You swell on it and gain weight, for me, when I take it, I feel sick a little bit to my stomach if i don't eat and I found I was eating a lot more. not good.
Thank you so much for your advice and story. They were very interesting and hopefully will turn out to be helpful. I will check these things out.
Hi all,
Just wanted to throw a random reply in response to Leesa’s post.
Hydrotherapy is great if you can’t exercise without pain. Go to your local pool and just walk back and forth till you feel you have had enough.
Leesa415 said:
Ok, so after losing my job 3 yrs ago after the company I worked for did layoffs, I found myself with no insurance either, and I am on I.V. therapy, Remacaid every 6 weeks, it’s a 3-4 thousand dollar I.V. w/o insurance, I went to my group of Doctors I visit and talked to the financial advisor of the company and they do have help out there for people without insurance that need these meds, you will have to verify income/tax returns/paystubs etc and some other things but pharmaceuticals do offer paying for your meds, you should try that route first. I wish you luck! I had to walk many miles of let downs before finding this out. I didn’t have my meds for almost 6 mths due to it, it really was hell. I went on prednisone too 10 mg at first then down to 5mg, it is a wonder drug for me, but it leads to obesity which leads to heart disease/diabetes, that is the scare my doc was concerned with as I have progresses so much with my disease i can’t exercise anymore without hurting immensely.
Did someone already post this ? Try contacting Humira, Enbrel and the other biologic companies to see if they can help you with the cost. I know they have a program for patients with insurance.
Of the "assistance" programs Enbrel has the best but unless your Doc knows how to do it with any, it can be a problem, For enbrel its the "Encourage Foundation" (they have seperate assistance program thats copay assistance etc.
The doc SHOULD be willing to tell the detail man (drug salesman) to help cut through the red tape if there is a problem. One phone call from the rep saying he has a potentially unhappy Doc can make anything happen......
Hi west - if your pain level is dealable and the side effects aren’t too bad… my opinion is too stay with your current plan. If you are still suffering badly then maybe you should seek change. I wish I could take prednisone 'cause it helps my pain a lot. Unfortunately it also keeps me up all night so I become a very flexible zombie!
All the best to you…
Hi West, I wonder if the arthritis foundation can help you sort out the assistance for medicine and dr appts?