wanderingsailor52 said:I just started biologic therapy recently, so maybe I can be of some help. In the US, you can only get biologics through Medicare (correct me if I'm wrong), and the cost is covered by the hospital systems. When my specialist offered me BT, he asked if I wanted to self-administer it every two weeks or come into the clinic every six months for a two-hour session. I'm on Humira. I inject it myself every two weeks, and I just "request" my next supply over the phone a week before I need to apply it. I think there are about 13 of us on BT in my county, and nationwide, I'm not sure, maybe around 1,000 if I recall correctly. I was diagnosed with RA five years ago, so when I was 33, following knee surgery from a sports injury. I'm 38 now. Over those five years, I tried sulfasalazine, which was a total bust, and ended up on a mix of methotrexate, Arava, and Decortin, along with the usual painkillers—mostly ibuprofen granules and Advil. I stayed on that last combination for quite a while and it actually worked best for me, but whatever. For your BT to be approved, the doctor has to submit a request, which first goes to a hospital board and then to a Medicare commission. You have to run a whole series of tests—I assume you already know this—which all need to be attached to the application. Basically, you have to meet these criteria: http://www.reumatologija.org/Preporu...nk=RA_HRD_2013 I guess as long as you don't show that necessary lack of response to standard treatment, the therapy won't do much. When the doctor submits the request, they basically use a calculator to crunch all these different factors and indicators; everything has to line up and show results that are worse than the recommended threshold. But if you have the full documentation to satisfy the guidelines from the American Rheumatology Association, I don't see any reason why you couldn't get approved. It shouldn't matter where you're being treated. But that's just my opinion... 😢 I could ask my doctor about your situation; he’s an amazing guy and we have a really good relationship. I'm seeing him at the end of January.
TapaTalk
My Humira was approved just last week, and after spending some time digging through Google, I must admit—I’m terrified. The list of side effects is... extensive. We’re talking everything from various infections to benign tumors, even skin cancer. Apparently, there's a one-in-ten chance for some patients.
I’m curious—which side effects have you actually experienced? How do you feel once the medication settles in? It was prescribed for my hidradenitis suppurativa. But honestly? I am dreading actually starting this therapy.
I had mine handled at the local hospital in St. Louis. The doctor was decent enough—we ended up discussing the general state of the country and how, once the current generation hits retirement, there won't be anyone left to hold down the fort since our doctors keep fleeing abroad. He explained it quite simply: right now, the bladder is full, so you cough; now, you empty it, and that’s that.
Since I didn't receive a response, I figured I would share my own experience—perhaps it might offer some solace to future patients.
I arrived at the clinic, provided a sample, and then lay down on the table. I actually asked the doctor to talk me through the process as they worked. Honestly? The exam isn't nearly as terrifying as you imagine. There is a slight sting when the catheter is inserted, but nothing extreme—it lasts all of three seconds. They fill the bladder, which you don't really notice until the urge to go hits, but that’s a sensation we’re all familiar with. When they remove it, there is no sensation at all. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes. So, to any women facing this in the future: there is truly no need for the stress, the fear, or the panic. I was incredibly anxious myself, which is exactly why I am writing this—maybe I can help lower someone else's stress levels. Peace of God.
coppergardener said:The issue is my anxiety—it’s hard to imagine getting through this without some sort of major trauma. I know I have to go through with it, but there is a very real possibility that I might just bolt mid-test or break down in tears.
coppergardener, how did it go? Was it painful? I have my appointment tomorrow, and frankly, I am feeling exactly the same way you described. I am genuinely considering running for the exit... Also, it looks like my period is about to start—is that going to be an issue for the exam? Would it be sufficient to wash up beforehand and use a fresh tampon? Let's be honest, I would clean myself up regardless, but now I'm worried: what if they refuse to see me because of the flow? It hasn't officially started yet, but I can feel it coming, and I've been waiting three months for this appointment.
coppergardener, how did it go? Was it painful..? I have my own appointment tomorrow, and frankly, I’m feeling just as anxious as you were. Part of me wants to just bolt... It feels like my period is about to start today—does that pose an issue for the exam? Would washing up beforehand and using a fresh tampon be sufficient? To be clear, I would clean up regardless, but I am genuinely worried—what if they refuse to see me because of the flow? It hasn't started yet, but I can feel it coming, and after waiting three months for this appointment, I really can't afford to miss it.
To everyone here—I would appreciate some assistance in deciphering these medical results. The entire report is written in Latin, and unfortunately, my Latin is non-existent.
Greetings, everyone. Unfortunately, we find ourselves discussing such a somber topic. My mother completed her sixth chemo session this past Wednesday. Up until that point, the only side effects she dealt with were some knee pain. However, it’s been a week since that sixth round, and she’s feeling incredibly weak... is this just a standard side effect, or is it an indication that things are taking a turn for the worse? Is this level of fatigue to be expected? Her appetite remains normal for now.
One more thing—is remission after treatment a guaranteed outcome, or is it strictly down to the individual? And if it does happen, what is the typical duration?
How much of a break is required between the sixth cycle and the next round of chemotherapy?
To make matters worse, her doctor refuses to provide us with any information whatsoever. He won't even speak with us... which leaves me with no one to ask but this group.
Angela Wright said:Radiation functions through an entirely different mechanism than chemotherapy—so I don't see any conflict there.
Does this mean I’ve somehow failed my mother by trying to bolster her immune system with herbal teas and various supplements? If so, the guilt will be unbearable. And if anyone could suggest something effective for a cough... she occasionally struggles to breathe because of it... I've been making her bay leaf tea with honey, but frankly, it seems to do very little.
Angela Wright said:She gets Dexamethasone intravenously. Everything listed there falls under the category of immune boosters—essentially anything meant to bolster the system. These should be taken during the intervals between treatments to help the body recover for the next cycle; you definitely don't want to take them on the actual days of therapy.
She was taking them every single day, quite normally—just all of it, every day. Chemo lasts for a single day, so when you say "days" in the plural... what does that actually imply? Are we talking a day or two before chemo and a day or two after, or how does that work?
Angela Wright said:No, we are talking about chemotherapy here. Usually, before the infusion begins, they’ll definitely administer some Dexamethasone or Medrol—standard corticosteroids. Beyond just being anti-inflammatory, they help mitigate those inevitable side effects like nausea. What can actually undermine the chemo's efficacy, however, are those various immune boosters and antioxidants. They tend to bind themselves to the free radicals produced by the chemotherapy—the very toxins meant to target and destroy malignant cells. It is best to avoid them on the days treatment is administered.
she receives an injection through the IV, she won't be getting any pills... And what exactly do you mean when you refer to "immune boosters"? Are we talking about papaya tea, beet juice, or Cordyceps supplements? Because that is what she takes to maintain her immunity... along with multivitamins or just vitamins found in fruit juices...
Angela Wright said:If Mom is taking steroids like Medrol, they’re likely playing a role in her appetite and any "weight gain."
She’s currently on Paclitaxel/Carboplatin... does that cause weight gain? Or have we just overloaded her system with all those supplements meant to boost her immune system?
People, I’ve been reading through these threads where everyone claims they can't stand the nausea during chemotherapy—people saying they can't even keep food down—but my mother? She’s eating like she hasn't seen a meal in weeks. Since she started her treatment, she’s actually gained over 11 pounds... Is it even possible for chemo to be ineffective? To be fair, she’s taking just about everything under the sun to bolster her immunity and strength—beet juice, Cordyceps supplements, papaya tea, vitamins, honey, and even some aloe vera and honey concoctions.
I honestly don't know whether to be relieved that she still has her strength—because, naturally, I am thrilled she feels so well—but I am also terrified that maybe the treatment isn't actually working..
I have a question regarding my Dell UltraSharp—specifically the display. A few days ago, I wiped the screen with a damp cloth—not soaking wet, mind you—and then dried it off immediately after. Now, there are these persistent streaks left behind. It looks like the coating has actually peeled in certain spots, leaving this residue. Is there any way to fix this, and if so, what kind of damage control am I looking at in terms of cost? Thanks.
So, here’s the situation... most people just call it a boil—though this particular one is relatively small, compared to the ones I've dealt with in the past. I've had them before where the dark spot was practically the size of my palm, surrounded by this hard, incredibly tender tissue. And when they finally burst? You’re left with a literal crater—and I am not exaggerating when I say you could almost stick a finger in it. My dermatologist suggested it was caused by some sort of bacteria—she actually had the nerve to ask if I wear skirts too often—suggesting that friction against compromised skin allows the infection to take hold. Then, she offered this utterly absurd suggestion: that I should just puncture it with a needle, collect a sample of the discharge, and send it off to a lab for microbiology testing.
It’s a ridiculous idea, frankly—how is one supposed to do that when the pain is so excruciating? It hurts when I sit, when I stand, when I walk... hell, it even hurts when I'm perfectly still. I can feel this sharp, stabbing sensation deep inside. Though, I suppose there is a perverse kind of comfort in that sensation—it means it's finally about to pop.
Once a boil starts forming, there isn't really a magic cure... 😢 The only thing you can do is try to coax it into ripening faster. You can pick up some Ichthammol ointment at any local drugstore, and honestly, even those old-school home remedies aren't half bad. You can actually feel them working. For instance, using charred onion—mashed up—or maybe some wild garlic, assuming you can actually find it growing nearby.
Anyone who has ever dealt with this knows exactly what I'm talking about.
