ACTHAR

[Sumanadevii]

The Acthar gel shots arrived early this morning.  I am already feeling better.  Still not moving and transferring like I want but this is day one....I get four more shots so maybe I will be able to move for a bit.  Acthar is an old drug and used to be rather inexpensive.  Sadly the cost has skyrocketed...My insurance paid about $28,000.00 for just five days.  

After taking the shots then I will be taken off Rebif, steroids and Acthar for three months to prepare for Tysabri.  I am anxious to start....and hoping the Acthar will keep me mobile for a month or so.  If not family knows we are going to need help.  I just hope it isn't necessary.  My husband travels often and if I take a dive I am gonna need help...Wishing it wasn't so.

My question is have any used Acthar and were you on monthly steroids?  Did the Acthar last longer then the steroid infusions or did you find yourself still needing more in three or four weeks?

[mlk1]

The ankle swelling is horrific -- It has been 4 days since last shot and ankles are bursting out of my shoes!!  Oh what can I do????

[Sumanadevii]

bump because it got hidden on page two...

i want Red to see it......

[Sumanadevii]

Nope Red, I thought so, too but the end of June marked my year with new neuro.  She dxed me with PRMS...Although rare (about 4% of MSers), it holds hope.  The DMD's are still available to me.  And, plus, more good news, my doctor called and I will start the Tysabri on July 22 at l:00pm.  I am counting down the seconds to that date.  

[Sumanadevii]

Since so few have used Acthar here is an update.  I took the last shot about two weeks ago.  It doesn't work anything like the IVSM.  It has given me just enough stuff to transfer but not easily.  I guess it is better than nothing.

There are side effects but no heartburn or gastro problems.  It does swell your feet up like balloons.  It is time released so the swelling will go up then down.  I am drinking tons of water.

Is it worth it?  Guess so if it is the only thing available next to IVSM...at least I am not totally bedridden.

[Sumanadevii]

Supermum, very kind of you.  I think because of the high cost not many have used this medicine.  I asked on a few other boards and nothing is coming up either.

I went to the site, too.  It seems it is showing people that take the shot daily and not in five doses.  How anyone can get that approved by insurance..I dunno.

Hugs,
Sumana

By the way, our first home cost $18, 500.00...lol

[supermum_ms]

I've been hoping someone would be able to answer your questions, no one has so far so this is a bump to get it back up.

I dont know anything at all sorry, i did find this site which might have the information your looking for in the Acthar forum, other wise its got the basic information on it.

http://www.prescriptiondrug-info.com/Drugs/Acthar/

Hope you dont need help and this is the begining of wonderful things! :-)

Hugs........JJ