Hello I'm new!

[Naillij]

Hi All,
just found this forum while researching Fumaric acid esters. Ive been taking Metotrexate for 3 years with good results but my psoarasis has been slowly creeping back and dose cant be increased anymore so my dermatologist wants me to try the a above mentioned treatment. Unfortunatly it would cost 144 eurro a month and I cant afford it so I'm not sure where to go from here.

[jiml]

Hi Naillij
A big welcome to the forum. Well you have come to the right place to learn about Fumaderm which I am on....or psorinovo which are the two that I am aware of...... What a shame your health system want you to contribute so much.
Is the Irish way a lot more different to the UK, are you insurance linked. And what is the alternative. As I believe that Fumaderm is cheaper than most biologicals.
There are many threads on the subject,....and you will see generally with good results.
Has your dermatologist got a plan b for you..... Or is there no other assistance you can get to help pay for it?
in the meantime there are some threads here that may be of interest
Fumaderm and hormone injections my introduction

Dimethylfumarates and Psoriasis

Biological Treatments For Psoriasis

Acitretin
Then skim through the introductions there are several worth a read
Please come back often and I can assure you you will find us a small and friendly bunch

[Naillij]

Thanks for the welcome Jiml, Ive been reading though threads all day!
Dermatologist said this really my only option as metotrexate not working anymore and im too far away from hospital for light therapy. The system here is that you pay for all your prescription medications up to 144 euro a month and then anything over that is paid for my the health service. Dermatoligist said the cost of fumaderm would be over the threshold so I'd be paying the upper limit of 144.
I am going to have to see if I can get a medical card (entitles you to free gp visits and prescriptions at 2euro50cent.) but that could take ages and probably wont be successful so

[jiml]

Thanks for the welcome Jiml, Ive been reading though threads all day!
Dermatologist said this really my only option as metotrexate not working anymore and im too far away from hospital for light therapy. The system here is that you pay for all your prescription medications up to 144 euro a month and then anything over that is paid for my the health service. Dermatoligist said the cost of fumaderm would be over the threshold so I'd be paying the upper limit of 144.
I am going to have to see if I can get a medical card (entitles you to free gp visits and prescriptions at 2euro50cent.) but that could take ages and probably wont be successful so

Have you been on acetretin or cyclosporine one of those could work for you and will probably be cheaper and may keep your psoriasis down whilst you apply for a medical card?
You don't say what other treatments you have had but Acetretin is working for some of the members on here.
There are other treatments which should be offered to you but I'm not aware of the costs

I can only speak of my experience of Fumaderm and as far as I'm concerned it's a super drug. It has changed my life in a very positive way after being saddled with psoriasis on and off all my adult life.... I am now able to do the things ordinary people do like swimming, and wearing shorts...... little things like not having to check for the pile of scales when you get up from chairs
It's no longer constantly on my mind .
So if you can get it funded I'm sure it could do the same for you
Good luck and keep,coming back
Jim

[Kat]

Hope your doc can get you on something that works for you and is affordable. I'm on Acitretin which seems to be working (although slowly for me) Costs here in the states varies so much based on what insurance plan you are on.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

[Quest4Cure]

Thanks for the welcome Jiml, Ive been reading though threads all day!
Dermatologist said this really my only option as metotrexate not working anymore and im too far away from hospital for light therapy. The system here is that you pay for all your prescription medications up to 144 euro a month and then anything over that is paid for my the health service. Dermatoligist said the cost of fumaderm would be over the threshold so I'd be paying the upper limit of 144.
I am going to have to see if I can get a medical card (entitles you to free gp visits and prescriptions at 2euro50cent.) but that could take ages and probably wont be successful so

Hello..
I wish u luck on whatever u decide on. It's always a trial by error for each individual . It's what works for you. There's is a list of bios online to try ask UR doc.Sometime s the pharm co. That makes the bio drug will help u pay for their bio drug. Contact the pharmacuiducal co thru UR pharmacist for coupons or discounts for payment for Fumaderm or ck online. They actually have a fund set aside for cases like this.

I'm on Apremilast for PSA. HAD psoriasis 3 different types since childhood. Also had another bio drug called XIAFLEX, helps Dupuytrends contracture where Hands tendons that thicken and the fingers curl into a fist and freeze. Much like RA,DC also distorts the fingers Knuckles and tendons. My hands are slowly straightening out with Xiaflex.

Do UR research find UR place where you feel safe or comfortable before you take any drug.

[Fred]

I am going to have to see if I can get a medical card (entitles you to free gp visits and prescriptions at 2euro50cent.) but that could take ages and probably wont be successful so

Hello Naillij to Psoriasis Club.

I would try for the Medical Card as the treatments that do work are expensive, the bio's for example can be well over €10000 per year. So you will be paying the €144 per month if you don't get one.

You probably know more about it than me but as you mentioned you may not be successful, I looked into it a bit. I found that it is means tested, and it does mention

Quote:

---

If your income is over these limits, you can still apply for the medical card on hardship grounds: for example, if you have high medical expenses or your income is only slightly over the limit.

Source: NO LINKS ALLOWED

I wish you luck with it and please do let us know how it goes as we have another member in the same situation RE: Should I come off Fumaderm?

The information that Quest4Cure mentioned about coupons and discounts from pharma companies, I don't think apply in Ireland as they have a different system in the USA.

Regards.

Fred.

[Quest4Cure]

I am going to have to see if I can get a medical card (entitles you to free gp visits and prescriptions at 2euro50cent.) but that could take ages and probably wont be successful so

Hello Naillij to Psoriasis Club.

I would try for the Medical Card as the treatments that do work are expensive, the bio's for example can be well over €10000 per year. So you will be paying the €144 per month if you don't get one.

You probably know more about it than me but as you mentioned you may not be successful, I looked into it a bit. I found that it is means tested, and it does mention

Quote:

---

If your income is over these limits, you can still apply for the medical card on hardship grounds: for example, if you have high medical expenses or your income is only slightly over the limit.

Source: NO LINKS ALLOWED

I wish you luck with it and please do let us know how it goes as we have another member in the same situation RE: Should I come off Fumaderm?

The information that Quest4Cure mentioned about coupons and discounts from pharma companies, I don't think apply in Ireland as they have a different system in the USA.

Regards.

Fred.

Hi Fred.. Not all Pharmaceutical Companies are located in the US. There are many around the world that offer patient support for their products. Especially bio drugs. A little research it's all on line . I probable could have been more detailed in my answer. There's is a compounding Co. in Canada that specializes in meds for auto immune diseases.

Have a good day!

[Fred]

Hi Fred.. Not all Pharmaceutical Companies are located in the US. There are many around the world that offer patient support for their products. Especially bio drugs. A little research it's all on line . I probable could have been more detailed in my answer. There's is a compounding Co. in Canada that specializes in meds for auto immune diseases.

Have a good day!

Hello Quest4Cure, I think you may have misunderstood or I worded it wrong.

I know not all pharma are located in the USA, and they do all have websites tailored to each country. What I was trying to say was, that Ireland don't have the same system as you do in the USA, they work on a similar system to the rest of Europe. Where we pay into a social system and then get our medication and treatment at reduced rates or in some cases free. The pharma companies in Europe, the way I understand it don't offer any financial support to the patent, because the patient is already subsidised by their government.

In the USA you do have programs where you can get support from the pharma companies whether it be by free medication, co-pay, or discount coupons. And I wasn't suggesting you was wrong, I was saying to Naillij that the information you gave is not relevant to Ireland where she lives. I didn't want her or any of our readers thinking there may be coupons or discounts, there isn't and they will still have to pay €144 per month unless they are on low income and then they will get it free.

*But it is still paid for by the Irish government, and not via the pharma by way of discounts, coupons, etc.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I hope that helps clarify.

[KyPrincess]

Hello & Welcome to the forum.