I have Crohn's in my ileum and my doctor prescribed Asacol and it worked for me for many years. I was at one of the best hospitals in the country (Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital in Stanford Ca.) and I've never found a better GI (Ricardo Castillo) ever since. Asacol is a time release tablet and does release in the ileum and colon.I was under the impression that Asacol, although it can be used for mild to moderate Crohns, is not the drug of choice of when you have ileal Crohns. I only say this because Roo's GI didn't prescribe it for that reason and the GI Matt saw also said it wasn't suitable in his case because of the ileal involvement.
Any chance of having the Humira looked at again by the insurance company?
Dusty.
The only thing I found to be true about Sulfasalazine is that it makes people sick. Most doctors don't even prescribe it anymore because of that yet the insurance companies still pay for it and push for it because its cheaper.It's interesting you mentioned the Sulfasalazine because I have read in articles that it is more effective at maintaining remission in Ileal Crohns than Asacol is.
I laughed. :ylol:I think most of us have had that problem or at least something similar. Insurance companies will do ANYTHING to not have to pay even if that means pretending they're absolutely retarded. After all these years though, I'm not so sure that they're pretending.
My insurance company approved Humira, but when it started failing, they would not authorize a double dose until I tried Remicade. Did you get a reason from them on why they denied it?You guys are going to love this one. After weeks of my doc calling them every day and me calling them 2-3 times a week, the insurance company now tells me they have no record of any contact from my doctor since they denied the Humira in February.
My Doctor's office has been waiting for a new decision from the insurance company. The insurance company is not responding because they have not "been contacted" by my doctor. AAAGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just want to say that this is not true in my case. Sulfasalazine was the first med I was ever put on and it kept me in remission for a good long time. I had no side effects from it at all, but I had to go off of it for breastfeeding.CrabbyRelish said:The only thing I found to be true about Sulfasalazine is that it makes people sick.
They denied Humira because, according to them, I have not had 2 of their "accepted" treatments fail before they will approve a biologic. I have to take 2 of the other meds for a 2 month trial each.My insurance company approved Humira, but when it started failing, they would not authorize a double dose until I tried Remicade. Did you get a reason from them on why they denied it?
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edit - Oh, and to answer the original question - that is definitely the shell of the asacol. I actually picked that sucker out of the toilet to investigate it when it happened to me. :biggrin:
Thanks. My doc's office sent in another written appeal to the insurance company. I will follow up with this tomorrow.Ugh. Any news? The insurance companies have doctors on their payroll who come up with these protocols.
Listen, I was an agent for a long time - file the complaint. Really. It always works. Insurance companies are afraid of state investigators.