Cosentyx - Kat's journey
#1
I'm still waiting for everything to go through but thought I would share my process here in case someone finds it helpful.

So, right after the doctor prescribed Cosentyx, the first step was blood work. Since I had my yearly check up they were able to get most of what they needed from my primary doctor, however they still needed a couple of more tests. So got that done and the doctor prescribed Costenyx.

I am in the United States, and have commercial primary insurance (through my husband's work) which is also where our prescription insurance comes from.

I received a call at the end of last week from a specialty pharmacy (we'll just call them Pharmacy A) letting me know they were handling the prescription. Today they called to tell me that I needed to call Cosentyx and join their co-pay program. I thought uh oh we most likely will not qualify but I called them and they really didn't ask me too many questions, NOTHING about income. So they signed me up and also on a secondary credit type (no, not the kind you have to pay back but the kind that if my insurance plus the co pay doesn't pay it all then the credit one will pay the balance) So, I call back Pharmacy A to give them the information. A very short time later, our prescription insurance company called (we'll just call them PIC for short) and informs me that pharmacy A is not in their network so I have to use specialty pharmacy B. Also, PIC informs me I need to call "save on" and get an exemption. Say what? So I call pharmacy A to make sure they know and yes, they already knew and was preparing to send my information to pharmacy B. So I call Save on and tell them I was told to call and why. They explain that it is part of my insurance perk, basically my co pay is a bit over $1300 per 300 mg and that the Cosentyx co pay program will pay half and that the credit program pays the other half but that the save on ensures that if for some reason there is a problem then Save On will pay meaning my cost will never be over $0.00. I guess it's insurance for my insurance s57 But no matter, as long as they don't expect me to pay out that much!

So for all those thinking (like myself) that they would not be able to get assistance, always check to make sure because it seems you just never know!


I used some Taclonex over the weekend as my scalp was just bothering me too much. One application and a definite improvement, too bad it's a steroid ointment. I REALLY didn't want to use it as I used it prior to Stelara and cleared quite a bit which made it difficult to tell how much Stelara was helping right off. I also didn't want things to get worse but I'm hoping I don't have to continue with the Taclonex while waiting for Cosentyx (which should be soon now)

So things are on track it seems. I'll update when I get the call to set up my first round along with a picture for reference.
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#2
What a story Kat I'm glad our system is nothing like that Thumb
but glad you seem to have persevered and got to a good result
I hope you can get it soon and look forward to hearing you have actually got it to use
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#3
Yes I'm with Jim, I'm glad my system isn't the same as yours. eek

Kat Wrote:So for all those thinking (like myself) that they would not be able to get assistance, always check to make sure because it seems you just never know!

Thank you for sharing that information.

Good luck Kat, I look forward to watching your progress.
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#4
good news for you and good info for others that are not sure if they should go after getting Cosentyx because of the price!
Hope you can get started soon =]
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#5
Well not much to update really.  The specialty pharmacy called last night and is sending out the order.  There was a bit of confusion as the doctor said they would receive the first dose and call me (although they did say that if it was sent to me to immediately refrigerate and give them a call)  It should arrive on Thursday and I'll call the doctor's office and get set up.

Today I received a welcome packet along with a travel pack.  Which at least now answers how I would transport it to the doctor's office (about an hour's drive)  Lots of informational stuff, a travel bag with two ice packs and a timer (umm yeah, doubt it will get used, easy enough to count or just look at the clock)......... I'll just add a photo:


[Image: ownremoved.png]


Although the ice packs -which are behind the two black panels in the travel bag - last for only 5 hours so if I ever needed to take with me on a long trip not sure how that works.  I'd just ask you all for advice  Big Grin

I also received notification that my bio hazard disposal container will be here tomorrow.

I'll admit I'm missing the simplicity of Stelara.  The doctor's office handled everything and I just had to go once every three months for an injection.  It's strange how things are handled so differently here between the two of them for me.  Both are biologics yet the Stelara was through my medical plan and the Cosentyx is going through my prescription plan.   But hopefully I'll see good results so we'll see.  Smile

(Edits for spelling and adding information.)
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#6
(Tue-26-03-2019, 19:49 PM)Kat Wrote:

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Although the ice packs -which are behind the two black panels in the travel bag - last for only 5 hours so if I ever needed to take with me on a long trip not sure how that works.  I'd just ask you all for advice  Big Grin

Ha I didn't get a timer with my pack.  Sad

Depending on your trip could you put the bag in an electric coolbox in your car ?

I still have some old Stelara bags and they have bigger ice packs, not sure if they last longer but I would have thought so. It could be worth you trying a couple of larger ice packs and see how long they last.  91

Could you arrange to pick up the shots from the place you are visiting ?

You could stop off at a place to eat and ask if they could re-freeze the packs for you, I think the thin ones freeze quickly.

Apart from that I'm not sure as I have never had to take mine far.

Edit: Maybe another pharmacie on your road trip could offer an ice pack swap ?
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#7
(Tue-26-03-2019, 20:19 PM)Fred Wrote:

[To see links please register here]

(Tue-26-03-2019, 19:49 PM)Kat Wrote:

[To see links please register here]

Although the ice packs -which are behind the two black panels in the travel bag - last for only 5 hours so if I ever needed to take with me on a long trip not sure how that works.  I'd just ask you all for advice  Big Grin

Ha I didn't get a timer with my pack.  Sad

Depending on your trip could you put the bag in an electric coolbox in your car ?

I still have some old Stelara bags and they have bigger ice packs, not sure if they last longer but I would have thought so. It could be worth you trying a couple of larger ice packs and see how long they last.  91

Could you arrange to pick up the shots from the place you are visiting ?

You could stop off at a place to eat and ask if they could re-freeze the packs for you, I think the thin ones freeze quickly.

Apart from that I'm not sure as I have never had to take mine far.

Edit: Maybe another pharmacie on your road trip could offer an ice pack swap ?


Well right now I have no plans to go anywhere. I was more just thinking ahead. All good suggestions though should I ever need to plan a trip or for anyone planning a trip. Hmm, maybe we should start an thread on it and see what others have done? I do think that I'd plan around the time of my injections if given a choice so that I didn't have to worry about it but that's not always possible. But no plans right now.

I did just get off the phone with a nurse from the pharmacy going over everything. They definitely want to cover all the bases!
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#8
Received the Cosentyx yesterday. Appointment for next Wednesday to show me how to use it.

I'm good to go! Thumb

I'll take a picture or two Wednesday morning so that I have a good "before" picture to look back on and I'll post at least one picture here (probably behind my left ear as that seems to be my overall worst area plus it's an area where I can usually get a good picture) and we'll see how it goes. I'll update this thread at each dose and also I plan to try to keep adding pictures to show the progress (or lack of, though hopefully that won't be the case!)
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#9
I will be all ears as I may be going on to Cosentyx if my dermatologist gets his way. Best of luck Kat.
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#10
(Sat-30-03-2019, 11:51 AM)D Foster Wrote:

[To see links please register here]

I will be all ears as I may be going on to Cosentyx if my dermatologist gets his way. Best of luck Kat.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to sharing my experience and hoping for good results Smile
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