Switching from Remicade to Cimzia

[JCB]

Hello everyone. I'm glad to be a part of the Crohn's community forum. I look forward to reading posts and learning more about the experiences others have with this disease. I've had CD for at least 9 years now, probably a little longer before diagnosis. Due to costs, I'll be switching to Cimzia soon from Remicade which was working wonders for me. Not sure I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Dexky]

Welcome JCB!! Are you switching because insurance wouldn't pay or were you paying for the remi yourself? I can't imagine anyone being able to afford remi on their own. If remi was working for you though, you should exhaust every avenue to stay on it. There are others on here who have found ways to stay on it. Go to the Remicade club thread in treatment section. There are several members on it. Someone will have some good advice for you. Good luck!! Hope you stick around.

 

[Astra]

Hi JCB
and welcome

sorry this is happening to you, seems pointless if Remi is working?
Dexky is right, there are ways to get around this, search the forums for answers, post your questions up on here, someone will come along soon to advise you.
glad you found us, los of friends here for you
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[JCB]

Hey guys, thanks for the support. I have been using the RemiStart program to help defer the cost, but due to other issues, switching insurances and such, we fell too far behind and the office manager at my Drs. office made the call that they could not keep servicing me with Remicade. So my gastro wants to try Cimzia instead. Guess it's cheaper? Or costs them less? Not sure. I'm willing to give it a shot. Literally and figuratively I guess!
Updates to come.

 

[DustyKat]

Hi JCB and :welcome:

Good to see you here. I can't help out with the med situation, I really feel for you guys having to change treatment due to the cost. This is a great place with loads of friendly and knowledgeable people. Please keep us posted on how you are getting on and welcome aboard!

All the best,
Dusty

 

[ThanksP]

I've been on Cimzia since March and it has been a miracle drug for me. Hope it works the same for you. I have no idea how much Remicade costs, but my Cimzia is $1600 for two monthly injections. They also have a program caclled "Cimpay" that helps with the costs of it if your insurance won't pay. Good luck to you!

 

[JCB]

My Remicade started around $7000 every 8 weeks nine years ago when I was getting it at the hospital in short stay. It has come down to around $4400 per since then and my gastro decided to have us infused at his office. They've already enrolled me in Cimpay and I am waiting to get my TB test done so I can get started. The test is just a formality since I've already had one for Remicade and if I had TB I'd be dead now, but apparently it has to do be done "for the records."

Glad to hear some good news about Cimzia. I was starting to get a little anxious reading about the headaches and severe fatigue and whatnot, since I didn't experience these things with Remicade. I was VERY tired the day of my infusion, but that usually went away quickly. Thanks for the good wishes.