Treatment

[seashells]

I have been on steroid for 2years and methotrexate for as long. I feel better but then it gets worse again. I had my throat stretched in September but it feels like its coming back again. What would the next treatment be? Its scary to think about what the next stage of treatment is.

[annekat]

I have been on steroid for 2years and methotrexate for as long. I feel better but then it gets worse again. I had my throat stretched in September but it feels like its coming back again. What would the next treatment be? Its scary to think about what the next stage of treatment is. Having tracheal stenosis at all must be pretty scary; I can't imagine, having not had it, so far. I don't remember if you said you'd had any other meds besides those two listed here, but I know I've heard people say that RTX (rituxin) worked pretty well for their TS. I presume you'll be discussing this with a doctor pretty soon.

[seashells]

I will be seeing Dr tomorrow to rule out infection and then specialists. Im on bacterium and folic acid. It is scary and frustrating cause I can't walk up stairs without being out of breath. I'm a big girl but never have had issue with doing stuff. I work in a school and just walking down the hallway and talking can be a chore. How hard is it to get insurance to pay for other treatment?

[Pete]

I will be seeing Dr tomorrow to rule out infection and then specialists. Im on bacterium and folic acid. It is scary and frustrating cause I can't walk up stairs without being out of breath. I'm a big girl but never have had issue with doing stuff. I work in a school and just walking down the hallway and talking can be a chore. How hard is it to get insurance to pay for other treatment?

The answer to your question probably depends on your doc and your insurance carrier. For me, it wasn't particularly difficult. From the time my rheumy told me I need rituximab until the treatment was approved was less than a week. My rheumy took the lead in the process.

[annekat]

There are also ways to get help from Genentech, the company who makes Rituximab (RTX), if you don't have insurance coverage for it, since it is a very expensive drug. I haven't taken it myself but have been on their site where this is discussed, just in case I should ever need it.