Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine

I’m on social security disability and I receive my Humira through Abbvie, so while the drug companies themselves, with their discount card, won’t accept Medicare, you CAN apply through their prescription assistance program! I have a $0 copay.

Enbrel is a biologic which is a big jump from HCQ! HCQ is very common with rare side effects. It’s the one med I take I never worry about long term. You will need to have an eye exam once a year to make sure your retinas look good, but that is good practice anyway as we get older, just like all our other annual or bi-annual exams.

Thats fascinating. I had Abbvie copay assistance but when i began to draw social security i was no longer eligible.

Yes I'm aware. If HCQ does the trick thats great. Some of us need biologics.

Online applications do not allow you to apply with medicare.
Be thankful if you are getting assistance.
I know of others but it was by appeal by Dr and percestiance.

Yes, and I tried Enbrel for my psoriatic arthritis, but it wasn’t effective (not sure whether it was working for AED.) We then switched me to Humira. And I’m not quite sure either of those are biologics. I get confused about that in the conversation with the rheumatologist. She talks about biologics - risks/benefits, and talks about a bunch of meds including Enbrel, Humira, Taltz, methotrexate, prednisone, etc. - and I know some of those AREN’T biologics, so I don’t know. I know metho. and prednisone aren’t.

Yes, it was through my drs office so they were the ones filling the paperwork with whatever paperwork they were adding. They had a person in the office who did that kind of paperwork and dealt with foundations, prescription assistance programs, etc and knew exactly how to get things done.

Oh yea they are used in my experience as first option biologics. I was on enbrel and methotrexate but the methotrexate was making my liver enzymes spike and by the time we lowered it enough to stop that, it was too low to prevent developing antibodies to enbrel. So i had to switch to humira. And was on that a few years until it just quit being effective. Now I'm on Remicade.

Personally i save prednisone for flares. You just cant stay on it and it causes osteoperosis in a lot
Of people. So its my last
Resort drug in flares - its awesome but dangerous in that if you stay on it, your body decides it doesn't need to produce its own cortisol any longer since Prednisone is supplanting your own production. Then you can be in a hot mess trying to wean off prednisone.

Way more than you want to know. But there isnt a drug ir. Combo of drugs someone here hasnt been on for RA. So ask away 🙂

Hi! I have been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissues Desease 3 months ago and my doctor prescribed me first Hydroxicloroquine and later Methotrexate but I am still have pain!! I am not sure it is normal!? . I have pain in my joints and muscles from my legs and arms. It seems medication haven’t made any improvements because I have a lot of pain! It is gonna be 4 months now taking these medication and feeling the same like before! Some days more pain than others

It sounds to me like PMR. (Polymyalgia Rheumatica).have your CRP level checked by rheumatologist. I have had it and it caused havoc with me for months. I’m having a relapse now and back on prednisone. It is the only thing that takes away the pain.