Life with PA

[nuttydenise]

Basicly I am frustrated today. Saw the Rheummy and joints are inflamed, fibro acting up and gaining weight. So far no medication has work. I even tried Minocycline, meth, plaquinel. So now he is going to put me on Enbrel but a huge waiting list can't get it until maybe Jan 2003. In the meen time just pain pills and Bextra.
I want to get back to work but am in too much pain to handle my job (computer programmer) Guess I just need to vent. I do have Long Term Insurance and they too seem to be against me.
Thanks for letting me vent
Denise

[EdR]

Denise,

Just out of curiousity, have you tried Celebrex for the pain? I don't have diagnosed PA myself, but a friend who does got relief with Celebrex when other NSAIDS were ineffective. (I realize of course that you may respond differently.)

EdR

[Kristy]

I too have pa and have tried mtx and some others where the side affects were almost as bad as the disease itself. I don't know how good your insurance is but when my Dr. prescribed enbrel for me my nightmare began.
I won't even get into everything I had to go through with my insurance company but they finally said they would ok it. Well when I went to go pick up my prescription I found out that it would be $500.00 a month out of my pocket, my insurance only covers 50% of name brand drugs. I had no idea how expensive this drug is. I hope you fare better but I can understand how you feel. Insurance companies are the evil of all evils. Good luck.

[rosee_posey]

Denise,

If you can get some Enbrel, see if you can't get some Remicade instead. The line isn't nearly as long, and it's only one 4-hour infusion every 8 weeks - beats daily shots, eh?

Don't give up the fight, man - keep the faith - I've been there, and lived to tell about it. You'll make it through too.

Take Care,
- rose

[PJ Leary]

Dear Denise,

I feel for you! Seriously.

No meds you can get, and some you can't.

Take the insurance $ and find yourself a cause. Trust me, it works. Volunteer your heart out, it will heal you in ways you never imagined.

It will take you outside of your disease to a new and better place. If you need some guidance please email me or post on the board.

Do it for yourself, and you will be rewarded in ways you never imagined.

PJ Leary