I've had Crohns since 1981. Not many local docs knew about it then and I went undiagnosed for 6 months, all the while with fevers and diarrhea. Luckily I wound up at the University of Chicago weighing 90 lbs, with an emergency abscess and subsequent ileostomy & reconnect. Since then I've been fortunate on Azulfidine and Pentasa.
After so long, I had two strictures at my surgical site in the last 5 years, and both were almost surgeries. Docs pumped me out, calmed me down with Prednizone, & discussed options.
As a result I have been on Humira for 2 and 1/2 years and I have eczema all over. The itch feels like it's deeper than just skin. My hands get scaly patches and the skin splits. For the eczema I'm on Atarax for overnight and an anti fungal cream (triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%). After many meds, lotions and blind alleys, that combination seems to work.
I want to retire, but Humira is gougingly expensive ($6500 a month). It blows through Medicare's Part D catastrophic level, and my copay could be as much as $8500 a year. There are financial aids available,but they are not guaranteed and as more and more people get on Humira, will the financial aid last?
My GI doc says U of C highly recommends staying on Humira and putting up with the eczema for as long as possible. But I got a second opinion from another GI: he says the eczema could lead to other infections and he would put me on Remicade instead. And Remicade being an infusion done at the hospital, would be covered by Medicare!
So which do I believe? What are the dangers involved with switching? What if Remicade doesn't work with me? Am I permanently away from Humira?
After so long, I had two strictures at my surgical site in the last 5 years, and both were almost surgeries. Docs pumped me out, calmed me down with Prednizone, & discussed options.
As a result I have been on Humira for 2 and 1/2 years and I have eczema all over. The itch feels like it's deeper than just skin. My hands get scaly patches and the skin splits. For the eczema I'm on Atarax for overnight and an anti fungal cream (triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%). After many meds, lotions and blind alleys, that combination seems to work.
I want to retire, but Humira is gougingly expensive ($6500 a month). It blows through Medicare's Part D catastrophic level, and my copay could be as much as $8500 a year. There are financial aids available,but they are not guaranteed and as more and more people get on Humira, will the financial aid last?
My GI doc says U of C highly recommends staying on Humira and putting up with the eczema for as long as possible. But I got a second opinion from another GI: he says the eczema could lead to other infections and he would put me on Remicade instead. And Remicade being an infusion done at the hospital, would be covered by Medicare!
So which do I believe? What are the dangers involved with switching? What if Remicade doesn't work with me? Am I permanently away from Humira?
