Has anyone taken Biologics?

@hopeful33250 - having to go to the ER for breathing treatment is a lot - expensive, a lot of time invested, and somewhat scary.

I also have been on mepolizumab (Nucala) for a few years now, and generally it's changed things radically. Till this year with an upper respiratory infection that made my asthma symptoms flare and was difficult to kick, the Nucala has keep me off the prednisone I was having to do 3-4 times per year, as I'd have a flare-up.

I now have to do a rinse with a steroid whenever I get the slightlest hint of anything upper respiratory coming on, and continue it for 2 weeks.

Is your next appointment with the pulmonologist soon? If not, have you gotten to update him with what you've experienced through your patient portal?

@cynthiaefs If you got approved for all of those, your Part D is golden. I personally would not mess with it unless something changes. We have had to fight hard not only to get the more expensive meds, but to keep getting them each year.

I have started on Xolair and noticed an immediate reduction in itching: what a relief. On my insurance I pay for the first $2100 and then no more on meds for the rest of the year. Not bad in that I also take Repatha and Auvelity, both very expensive. I need to look my around for a part D that is more helpful but I doubt I will succeed.

I took Dupixent, auto-injected at home since 11/2024. I have chronic asthma and ideopathic emphysema. My spouse injects me because when I do it, I bruise myself and sone of the serum leaks out. I took it every 2 weeks for nearly a year and then found the side effects very bothersome (achy joints—arthralgia) so we switched me to Nucala, once every 4 weeks.

They will mail it in its own styrofoam cooler and ice packs to your home or the pharmacy you designate for you to pick up or the specialty pharmacy. You do have to get your md to get it pre-authorized.

Since starting the biologics, I have not had any flareups of ny asthma/emphysema (used to have flare ups 1/6x/year for over 20 years and eosinophils >500 per blood tests). Once I hit the $3k out of pocket max for rx under my private insurance (which serves as my Medicare MediGap plan), I no longer have any copays for any Rx, including Nucala for the rest of this year.

@hopeful33250
For Medicare, typically drugs that are given in a clinic or doctor’s office are covered by Part B (chemotherapy, other infusions). Drugs that the patient administers at home are covered by Part D. Dupixent is delivered on ice to your home by whatever specialty pharmacy your Part D coverage plan uses, and must be kept refrigerated until use. Your doctor must get prior approval, and how much the patient pays depends on the Part D plan (for Original Medicare) or by the Medicare Advantage plan for patients using Medicare Advantage.

I considered Dupixent, but changed my mind after doing research online. There are lawsuits concerning its use. My doctor no longer advises its use. See example:
https://www.medlegal360.com/dupixent-lawsuits-and-legal-updates/

Yes, long history of asthma. I am 71 now. I have had asthma since I was 10, off and on, no matter which state I lived in. I have been on Fasenra for 3 years now. I still have to use my inhaler, singular, nasal rinse, and Claritin, but the biologic changed my life. Go for it if they offer it.

@hopeful33250 @jdwelch2025

It was part B medical of Medicare as was done through my rheumatologist’s infusion clinic.

@hopeful33250 I am on a medicare advantage plan, so I’m not sure. I pay the first $2100, then insurance pays the rest.

To jdwelch2025
I will have to check. I go once a month to an infusion clinic and have three shots. One in each thigh and one in the belly. Not painful at all. Very quick and the nurses are terrific.