I've been prescribed about 5-6 drugs over the last 6 months to treat my rheumatoid arthritis, and none of them have worked, or they've given me really bad side effects. Last week my rheumatologist prescribed Enbrel for me, and I learned this morning the cost will be about $5400 a month, which I can't even come close to affording.
Fuck big pharma.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Andy Tahoe
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 01:27 pm
Go for it Mike. Experiment.
Go for it Mike. Experiment. BTW, same here. 800 mg IB works the best, every OTHER day or it stops working.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cultivate kindness mikeedwardsetc
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 01:34 pm
Go for it? Pay about twice
Go for it? Pay about twice what I earn to experiment? I don't think so, Andy.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 01:52 pm
Are there any clinical
Are there any clinical studies that you can join? Also, can you lobby your insurance company to pay for the Enbrel?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GDTRFB StrawBud
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 01:57 pm
Part of the on-going scam
Part of the on-going scam that is the American "health care" system
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish Jazfish
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 02:38 pm
https://www.enbrel.com
https://www.enbrel.com/financial-support
Hope this helps if you haven't looked into lobbying yet, Mike.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GoneGoodbye RocknRye
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 04:49 pm
Some pharmy companies will
Some pharmy companies will cover the costs depending on eligibility. It sucks that you have to fit a profile but it has worked for me in the past. Ping them and see.
Over many painful years I have completely eliminated all prescriptions and now at 58, feel better than in a long time. I think that being addicted to any of the Rxs made my conditions worse. As the meds started to peter out, as most do, I was left with withdrawal symptoms until my next dose. Restless legs was the absolute worst, and I was kickin' every day until dose time.
No more. Find a different way. Don't get me wrong, finding the right Rx is great and works well in the short term. For me, the peter out and withdrawal was worse that the original ailment. It took a long time to figure that out.
When I do go see a regular doctor now they all seem to try to find something they can prescribe.
Time for new doctors.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary Rasmataz
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 04:55 pm
I'm a firm believer in
I'm a firm believer in natures remedies. I make a fresh ginger and turmeric concoction a couple times a month and keep it in the fridge. Soothes my aching bones (along with the indi sativa of course).
Teas for Easing Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms | Everyday Health
https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/diet/teas-symptoms-r...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: dimethyllovebeam joe
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 05:29 pm
I will second the ginger
I will second the ginger/turmeric concoction. I make an equal mix of cinnamon / ground ginger / turmeric powders and eat that daily on food. It seems to help and it's cheap medicine.
wish I had more to offer. $5400/mo...... there's nothing advanced about that. I hope you can find some help, Mike.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD ntfdaway
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 05:56 pm
Enbrel is hell on your liver
Enbrel is hell on your liver Mike.
I agree with Ras. Nature is almost always a better way to go.
I make a "Fire Cider" with apple cider vinegar, garlic, turmeric, horseradish, onion, ginger (all fresh), cayenne pepper flakes from my garden, black pepper(for the turmeric), fresh hot peppers(jalapeno or serrano etc). Everything into the food processor and then into a mason jar in the closet for 2 months. Then add Honey to taste and keep in fridge. Really good stuff.
Some meds are necessary, but most are just garbage adding sides and screwing up your body.
And yes, so many drs are now just pathetic pill pushers.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Andy Tahoe
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 06:04 pm
Mike, try nestle teas. Real
Mike, try nestle teas. Real good
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island judit
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 06:06 pm
Mike, I hate that the idea of
Mike, I hate that the idea of not being able to afford an Rx that you are considering to counter-act crippling inflammation and pain is coming between you and some ease in your life. Trying the spices and foods that Ras, joe and Mark are using may help, and will possibly give you a little time to work out the finances of Enbrel. Natural anti-inflammatories have powers.
The link that Jazfish posted may give you what you need. What especially adds to the suck about it all is that a lot of the time the help from drug manufacturers is for people with insurance. Without insurance there may be no help. I'm glad you have insurance in this case.
Not to take away from what you are going through, Mike, here's my story. Greg was taking 2 drugs for the last years of cancer treatment. One of them, Rituximab, an infused biologic, caused the PML that caused his death. It was not terribly expensive compared to the other one, Revlimid. The cost of Revlimid went up over the years and for the last year or so cost $450 per pill, 21 per month, costing $9450 per month. Greg was on Medicare/disability and had no money except his low paying Medicare monthly check (like $600/mo) so he qualified for Medicare's extra help for prescriptions. They covered it all except his $6.00 drug plan premium. It was a twisted fucking miracle in its way, but the whole Rx thing leaves the sourest taste.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish Jazfish
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 06:13 pm
And yes, so many drs are now
And yes, so many drs are now just pathetic pill pushers. <<<
yep
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island judit
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 06:17 pm
>>> One of them, Rituximab,
>>> One of them, Rituximab, an infused biologic, caused the PML that caused his death. It was not terribly expensive compared to the other one, Revlimid <<<
Upon rereading, I see I was wrong. It wa SO expensive, in his life. The Revlimid was just money.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cultivate kindness mikeedwardsetc
on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 10:23 pm
Thanks for the comments
Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm not in a very good place today, but I plan to come back and read through this tomorrow.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: krab groad1123
on Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 11:37 am
cinnamon / ground ginger /
cinnamon / ground ginger / turmeric powders>> I put all 3 from organic sources into my protein shake along w/plain organic shredded coconut & xtra virgin olive oil.
Also into steamed vegetables, I shake in ginger, turmeric, black pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, cumin & powdered cayenne, all organic. Anti inflammation to the maxx.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island judit
on Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 01:18 pm
I hope today is a better day,
I hope today is a better day, Mike.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cultivate kindness mikeedwardsetc
on Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 02:41 pm
Thanks, judit, and everyone
Thanks, judit, and everyone else. Today is a better day, and what I've decided is that I need to reset my whole approach to my RA. What that means at this point isn't entirely clear to me just yet, but I won't be going the Enbrel route for now at least. I've been on a maintenance dose (5mg) of prednisone for a while now, and that seems to be working, meaning I have something like 90-95% relief, so I think I'll just stick with that for the next month or so, until I get back to something like balance and put the side effect shit show behind me.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 03:12 pm
As long as you can get
As long as you can get through the day pretty well on the 5-10% that isn' relieved, that's probably pretty good.
Have you tried prayer?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cultivate kindness mikeedwardsetc
on Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 03:58 pm
I hear you, BK, but it's my
I hear you, BK, but it's my hands that the prednisone isn't giving full relief. I've been losing some fine motor skills (e.g. trouble getting pills out of the pill box and handling paper money and the like has gotten really tricky) and they ache pretty bad at times.
> Have you tried prayer?
Does cranking a hot I Need a Miracle count?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Black Lives Matter jlp
on Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 10:10 pm
honey please do not be their
honey please do not be their guinea pig
no doubt you have gone the cbd route
here's hoping for HEALTHY RELIEF
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Black Lives Matter jlp
on Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 10:11 pm
oh i detest prednisone. it
oh i detest prednisone. it fucked up my father so bad. i am hoping your low dose is not bloating or otherwise harming you
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Racketinmyhead Racketinmyhead
on Friday, April 22, 2022 – 01:09 pm
If it wasn't for big pharma,
If it wasn't for big pharma, I couldn't have my seventh covid shot.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GDTRFB StrawBud
on Friday, April 22, 2022 – 01:18 pm
Wow! 7, huh? You must really
Wow! 7, huh? You must really need "a boost"
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Racketinmyhead Racketinmyhead
on Friday, April 22, 2022 – 02:06 pm
Boosted for sure. Have all
Boosted for sure. Have all my papers as well.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Friday, April 22, 2022 – 02:07 pm
This is no laughing matter,
This is no laughing matter, Mike. You have clearly sinned. Your only hope is repentance through prayer. Cranking a drug song while worshiping your false idol, Jah, is only making it worse. The only thing that too much of anything is just enough of is the Lord.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cultivate kindness mikeedwardsetc
on Friday, April 22, 2022 – 02:18 pm
Racket's so edgy on DBMBs.
Racket's so edgy on DBMBs. That's how he boosts his fragile ego
BK, I have relented and resented. I've retented when I was camping in a low spot and the rains came in. I've rerented when my lease was up and the place was nice and the terms were favorable. And then there's the time I redented the left front fender of my car. But repented? What are you: high on something?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Friday, April 22, 2022 – 02:27 pm
In all seriousness, have you
In all seriousness, have you considered taking creatine? It's the most studied supplement on the market, and has benefits to almost everyone, especially as we age. There have been some interesting studies about creating and muscle size and strength in RA. It's not no way a cure, or will it stop the pain, but it could have positive effects, and it will benefit you in other ways.
And prayer.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cultivate kindness mikeedwardsetc
on Friday, April 22, 2022 – 04:23 pm
Allay lieu ya, brother.
Allay lieu ya, brother.
I've decided I want to start making some changes to my diet, so I ordered a new blender this morning for making healthy shakes and smoothies with stuff like turmeric and ginger and other natural anti-inflammatories. I definitely think I saw pill-popping as an easy fix at first, but now I'm seeing that the things they say will help me do just the opposite a lot of the time.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary Rasmataz
on Saturday, April 23, 2022 – 10:08 am
^ Good job brother
^ Good job brother,, positive change headed your way in a hurry
Fresh ingredients are key. You can get fresh ginger and turmeric right at the local health food store.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: dimethyllovebeam joe
on Saturday, April 23, 2022 – 10:31 am
Good for you, Mike! Give it
Good for you, Mike! Give it a try.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low Trailhead
on Saturday, April 23, 2022 – 12:11 pm
Does anyone have experience
Does anyone have experience with moringa powder?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Black Lives Matter jlp
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 11:54 am
yezzz!!! i am a smoothie
yezzz!!! i am a smoothie lover and the best part is a big one can feed you all day
we need you around, MIKE
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________ Plf9905
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 12:11 pm
So Sorry Mike ! GREED SUCKS
So Sorry Mike ! GREED SUCKS
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________ Plf9905
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 12:16 pm
I Had a Heart Attack Last
I Had a Heart Attack Last Week - I'm Off To Beverly Hills ( Cedars Sainai ) Right Now For Triple Bypass Heart Surgery.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary Rasmataz
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 12:22 pm
^^ woah,,, you got this
^^ woah,,, you got this
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 12:28 pm
Jesus rob
Jesus rob
mike
zoners
...better feels for all
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cultivate kindness mikeedwardsetc
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 12:36 pm
Holy shit, Rob. I hope you
Holy shit, Rob. I hope you heal up quick. The good news is you're headed to one of the best hospitals in the world.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island judit
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 01:01 pm
Shocking, Rob. Wishing you
Shocking, Rob. Wishing you the best possible outcome.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High Surfdead
on Monday, April 25, 2022 – 01:14 pm
{{{{{Rob's }}}}}
{{{{{Rob's }}}}}