Oh you know, the usual

[junebug]

I've had crohn's for 9 years. I've done the Pentasa, Asacol, Mercaptopurine, prednisone bit which did absolutely nothing. Remicade has worked until very recently when I started to have major histamine reactions to it. I switched to Humira and have been on it for almost 2 months now. I'm still within the 12 week period where I can switch back to Remicade and am considering doing so. Humira is not working as well, but I have seen a significant reduction in the histamine reactions. I'm thinking of going back to remicade, upping the dose one final to 10mg/kg and keep it at every 4-5 weeks. Over the past year or so Remicade has been working less effectively. I went from getting it once a year (way back when, when they still let you do that) to every 3 months, to 2 months, to 6 weeks, to 4-5. Messing around with the dose here and there.

My major problem currently is that I will be moving to Hungary in a month. I am hiting every brick-wall-face-first-at-100mph trying to find a way to afford Remicade or Humira in Europe. (preferably Remicade, as I'm not quite willing to rule it out permanently since the Humira does not work as well. I'll put up with the annoying reactions for a more effective drug)

My insurance company won't pay for anything abroad. I've looked in to medical insurance, but none of them will cover prescriptions for a pre-existing condition. The pharmacy will not release the Remicade to me to personally carry over to have infused at the medical center I will be affiliated with. The pharmacy also cannot ship Remicade from the US to Hungary as it is a drug available there and no courier or shipping service is able to guarantee delivery in less than 3 days (because of customs) which is just long enough for the medication to go bad and become useless, even on dry ice. I can't pay in to the national health care system because I am not a Hungarian citizen. I am unable to receive treatment through the national system without paying for all services in cash, up front. Well, needless to say, as a student, I can't afford the $5k a month for Remicade and am really really really hoping someone can help!! ANY thoughts, suggestions would be appreciated SOOO much!!

I wish you all the best with your treatments and hope you all get, and stay (!), healthy!

Thank you all!

 

[LindaS]

Sorry I don't have any suggestions. But I hope you can find a way to get your medication covered.

 

[mikeyarmo]

Welcome to the forum junebug!

I am sorry to hear about your dilemma with moving to Hungary. Are you going as a student to study there? Is there medical insurance available through your school or did you already say how this would not cover medication for pre-existing diseases?

Good luck working through this! I hate to bring it up, but is not going to Hungary an option at all either?

 

[Jessica]

Mike has a point. When I was in college, there was some fee I had to pay in order to receive health coverage through the school. No way around it, even though I had insurance.

Also, have you tried contacting the manufacturer personally? They have financial assistance. I'd look into that.

Best wishes <3

 

[junebug]

Thanks LindaS, Mikeyarmo, and Jessica!
I have called both manufacturers, both have no contact information for international offices, no suggestions, and were of absolutely no help. I've asked a few people over there and none of them know of any financial assistance programs as most insurance is covered by the government in Europe, so most don't have this problem. The school does offer insurance, which I will have, but it does not cover prescriptions. Who would have thought prescriptions would be so hard to find coverage for? I'll keep looking as I'm quickly running out of time.

thanks again for your thoughts!!