Remicade exclusivity period?

I'll be broke by then-this Remi's killing us---I know, I know, a small price to pay to save a colon. I'm truly grateful, but can't help wishing it were more affordable.

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Daughter, 16 diagnosed 1-08 w/ UC .
Previous drug sampling: Asacol, Cortifoam enemas, Rowasa,Prevacid, Flagyl, Prednisone- 50 mg to 0, 4 major flares '08-09.Hospital 4 x.
Trying probiotics, Niferex, fish oil, Magnesium, Acupuncture.
Remicade 10mg per kilo@ 8wks, since 10-08. Still on 6mp and Colazal W/ Remi. Remission. 4-09....

Heck, I feel a little guilty spending insurance dollars for Remicade! Took me a long time to get over feeling like a drain on the system, that one person in a thousand who's driving up health care costs for everyone, etc.

My copays recently went from $300 per infusion (until I reached my out of pocket max) to $0. That's wonderful, but I do know it increases health care costs for everyone else in my insurance group also.

Yeah but Judy, you're paying those increased costs too, along with everyone else. I never felt guilty for using more than my "allotted" insurance coverage. I see it as, if I have the insurance, you bet I'm gonna use it as hard & heavy as I can! We pay a LOT for it, so I intend to take full advantage of it. I'm terrified of losing it anyway, so I try to use as much of it as I can. And I think you're right, fargman- it does take a while to make the biologics. I just can't see them going generic. Interesting question though.... I bet the drug makers are not thrilled with that prospect!

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diagnosed with UC '02

meds-

Asacol- 8 tabs/day

Remicade-10mgs/kg- from 4/07 thru 1/10

Humira- started 1/10

Imuran- 150mgs/day

various probiotics & fiber supplement

 

 

I agree with Judy... feel like a drain on the system. I guess as long as it works and you have insurance there is no reason not to, but it seems like we do cause a serious problem for insurance companies.

This is interesting so many feel to be a drain on the system- I've never felt that way. In all reality, I'm surely paying for someone else draining the system, so I figure it all comes out equal in the end. Why would we want insurance if not to use it when need be? If I had to pay out of pocket, then I'd feel guilty, taking $$$ away from my family personally. But taking it from the nameless, faceless insurance companies??? No way. I've always been fairly healthy, but have had more than my fair share of autoimmune disorders over the past 2 decades, all of which have incurred hefty bills. Even a "routine" childbirth gets you quite a large hospital bill! And honestly, in the grand scheme of things, "we" can't be causing too many problems for the insurance companies- if we were, you can bet they'd drop coverage of biologics ASAP for things like UC, & only offer to pay for a proctocolectomy.

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diagnosed with UC '02

meds-

Asacol- 8 tabs/day

Remicade-10mgs/kg- from 4/07 thru 1/10

Humira- started 1/10

Imuran- 150mgs/day

various probiotics & fiber supplement