Amevive/Kaiser Permanente

[Colgan]

I have had psoriasis for about 16 years now. I have tried everything to get it to go away. Most of my dermatologists would only prescribe topicals for me because my insurance would not cover other treatments. Sometimes it would take me 6 weeks just to get a referral to see a derm.

I recently switched my insurance over to Kaiser. It took only 1 week to get an appointment w/ my derm. who prescribed Amevive for me. This 12 week treatment costs about $1000. per week, of wich Kaiser covers all but a $10. co pay. ( Not bad for a $12,000. treatment!)

Kaiser really does get a bad rep. I just wanted to let people know who are having trouble getting expensive treatments approved.

If anyone has used Amevive please let me know how it has worked for you. I just took my second treatment and would like to know how long it takes to see any changes,

Thanks.

[Carla]

Hi Colgan,

Welcome! I don't have any experience with Amevive, but you can read about other people's experiences on the following threads:

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=4666

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=5530

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=5333&highlight=Amevive

I hope you can find the answer to your question. Enjoy the forum!

Carla
xx

[khorath]

I receive shot #11 of Amevive tomorrow. However, I have also been on cyclosporine. I think I was able to see some positive effects from Amevive after shot 5 or 6. I alternate between Lidex and Temovate topically, too.

However, I had a little setback. I developed a sinus infection (I think that what it is) and my skin flared. I have been sick for about 4 weeks. I'm finally starting to get better and my skin is starting to clear once again, too.

Because of all the variables happening, I'm not sure how much of the clearing is from the Amevive. My derm thinks it is working. I'll post a follow-up on the Amevive/Cyclosporine thread tomorrow after my vist (Carla included a link to it above...).

Let us know how you do with the Amevive.

[mama]

Hi Colgan!


Welcome to the board and best of luck with your treatment!

[Colgan]

Hi All. Thanks for the links! Wow I am so sorry to hear about all of the set backs you have had. I do feel fortunate however that my insurance is paying for this because it really is so expensive.

I have only received my 2nd shot ( my husband is able to give them to me at home) and my derm is checking my bloodwork every other week. ( Should he be checking it every week?)

To be honest, it seems like my P flared a little after the 1st week.
My derm told me to use my clobetasol, amd I have been adding apple cider vinegar to a warm bath in the evenings. The scales seem to come right off and it relieves the itching so I can get to sleep.:)

Good luck with the rest of your treatment. I am anxios to read about how it all turns out!

Jennifer

[khorath]

Jennifer,

My doctor checks my blood every week. It is a pain, but they want to make sure the levels don't drop too low.

I don't know what the risk level is or if the blood check every week is just playing it safe (being very conservative). I'm sure the longer the medicine is out, more adjustments will be made. I'd ask your doctor if you are concerned about it, though.

I'm also surprised you can give the shot at home! How did you get the medicine at home? I thought it had to be sent directly to the doctor's office. I'm envious - I wish I could have done mine at home!!!!!! :p

[Colgan]

My doctor really did not have any issues with me doing the shots at home. At kaiser they had a nurse train my husband and I to administer it ourselves. It's really easy. My derm gave me a prescription for it and I pick up 4 doses at a time. This insurance has really been great.

I took my second shot last Tues. In combination w/ clobetasol, I have noticed a dramatic change in the flaking, And instead of bright red, the areas are pink.

I will let you know how things progress. Good luck!!!

[beachbound]

I completed all 12 shots about 7 weeks ago. All shots were given at the docs office and blood tests every week. I'm sorry to say amevive did nothing for me at all. Matter of fact I got worse. I hope it helps for the rest of you!
Sue
P.S. You are very fortunate to only pay $10. out of pocket. It cost me $211.50 a week!

[mhh333]

I have had psoriasis for a dozen or so years and finished my first treatment of Amevive 2 months ago and went from being 80 percent coverred to less than 15 percent coverred. Like most people here I have tried all the other treatments from steroids to light treatment to soriatane and clobetasol and while each made a small dent nothing really helped and all had bad rebound effects. I was the first patient in my area that Kaiser treated with Amevive and my Derm had to write up the protocol that Kaiser was going to use. I had the IV treatments. My derm was upset when he heard the the IV treatments were no longer available as the cost is less and it is supposed to be more effective. I think everyone is different but for me the clearing came at the very end of the treatment and even a few weeks after the treatment had finished. It looks to me like it is starting to come back slowly. I am hoping to wait as long as possible and then if need be have a second round of Amevive. I did not really have any side effects and my blood work was good through out the course. I am also grateful that Kaiser offerred this as a treatment. Surprised but grateful.

[khorath]

mhh333: I'm interested in hearing more about your Amevive treatment. I just finished with Shot #12 and I have been disappointed in the lack of clearing. I noticed in your post that you said you did not see results until you were done with your 12-weeks. I am just curious to know when you did start to see it working, and how you noticed that it was working (appearance, location, etc.). Did you have any other side effects? I caught a nasty sinus infection during my treatment. I don't know if it is related to the treatment or not. Also, I don't know if it caused me to not clear as quickly. I thought I was seeing results, but then BAM - it came right back. I would just like to hear more about your experiences.....

[DenaT]

Hi I will be getting my 3rd shot of Amevive on monday. My derm checked to see if I would be receiving the injections at his office or If I would be doing them at home :eek: I was really nervous about the home part. but I get them done at the office I am there 3 times a week for the light treaments so it no biggie. My derm checks my blood every week. I also use clobetasol. So I am really hoping this does the trick, but with like all the other treaments out there its kinda a crap shoot.

[SouthpawGrammer]

Same as Carla - no exp with Amevive

Actually Carla - can you get it? I know i cant...:mad:

[Colgan]

Hi. I received my 3rd shot of Amevive last Tuesday, and actually have seen some results. The P is very light pink, w/ small raised areas within the lesion. I would say about a 50% improvement from when I started. I am also using clobetasol once a day, and bathing in warm water w/ apple cider vinegar keeps me from scratching. I actually went to get a pedicure today for the 1st time in years because I was always too embarased to let anyone see my lower legs. It was great!

I would love to share my progress w/ everyone, but unfortunatley, I am really not very great w/ computers. I have a digital camera. can anyone tell me how to post pictures? I know how to e-mail them, I just need some guidance w/ the rest.

[mhh333]

khorath,
You asked for more details. I did not mean to make it sound like I had no clearing before the 12th week but the most stubern areas showed signs of clearing a week or two after I stopped the treatments. I was able to wear a short sleeved shirt for the first time in over 10 years and I think being out in the sun helped a great deal. My hands and my shins are the most stubern parts and have not had total clearing...especially my shins. It has been nice to get a haircut the last few months without being mortified. I keep reading about people combining Clobetasol and Amevive. I was actually using Clobetasol on my hands before I started the Amevive teatment and during the treatment and I found it stopped doing much for me so I stopped it towards the end of the treatment and my hands got better, not 100% clear, but better after the treatment had ended. Khorath, sorry to hear you have not seen better results but you might try a second round of injections if you did not have any side effects from the first round. It is supposed to have a cumulative (sp) effect or build on the first round of treatments you had.
Good luck...

[khorath]

Originally posted by mhh333

Thanks for the clarification. My skin is now almost as bad as it was before I started the Amevive shots (70% coverage). I'm still taking 100 mg of cyclosporine daily, but that is not enough to make a dent.

I'm not sure that I will take the next round of Amevive. If I do, I won't be eligible until next calendar year. If that's the case, I'll have to pay at least $1000 out-of-pocket again for this medicine. I had to do it this year, and I don't want to do it again if it is not going to work! Just too expensive! :eek:

I use clobetasol, too. However, I have tried to be careful with it. I've used so many topicals over the years that my skin is soooo thin and I have unsightly stretch marks. Not only has P caused my skin to be ugly, but the treatments I have used have disfigured me, too. :mad: I need to get a prescription of triancinelone (sp?) filled now because it comes in 1 pound jars that will last me longer than the little 45g tubes.

I see my derm again on November 6 (two weeks after last Amevive shot). We'll decide then, I suppose, what I will do next. I have to admit, the lack of efficacy of amevive for me has left me frustrated and ready to give up on all treatments, even though I know that is not the wise thing to do. Sometimes I just get so tired. But, I just have to remember to keep the faith and hang in there. This, too, shall pass...

[melissabrown]

I have had one 12 week treatment of Amevive and I am going to start my second set in the next couple of weeks. I started to see a difference within about the 4th treatment. I had heavy P on both my elbows and then some on other areas. It cleared up to 80% in some areas. In other areas it didn't even touch it. It also put my PA in remission which is a blessing all its own. My head used to be covered with it, I now dont have it on my scalp and it doesnt seem to be returning there. I have tried many many things and I like its results. Good luck on yours, let me know how it goes for you.

Melissa