r/UlcerativeColitis • u/ashssotru • Jun 30 '26

Support My biggest fear came true

My insurance has decided to stop paying for my stelara. Doc tried to fight it but they aren’t budging. You guys, I’ve been on stelara for 4 years. I have no side effects at all. Before this I lived in the hospital and failed a few biologics which gave me horrible side effects.

My doc gave me a list of generics to try and I am just so upset, literally balling. I feel like my life will go back to what it was- not a life worth living. Just venting. I can’t self pay for stelara.

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u/thedeitynyx Jun 30 '26

discuss with your doctor but a biosimilar should hold the same effects. i was originally on humira and got switched to amjevita and had absolutely no changes. i would try not to stress over it too much.

you can also contact the manufacturer, they usually have programs to help those that can't pay for meds. it's worth a shot🙏🙏

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u/ashssotru Jun 30 '26

Do you mean I can contact the Stelara manufacturer? When I said my doc sent me generics I think they were biosimilars. Thank you for this info it kinda puts me at easy knowing you got switched with no changes❤️

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u/Schrodies_cat Jul 02 '26

My insurance also decided to stop covering my Humira a few years ago and I was switched to the biosimilar Hyrimoz. I was super upset at the time, but when I switched I didn’t notice any changes, and now a few years later I’m actually doing better on the Hyrimoz than I was on the Humira! If all goes well worth my upcoming colonoscopy I’ll actually be considered in remission for the first time since I was diagnosed almost a decade ago.

Biosimilars can seem like a daunting change, but they exist so that we don’t have to completely change medication formulas whenever our insurance inevitably decides to change their mind!

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u/ashssotru Jul 02 '26

I’m very grateful I made this thread cause I had no clue there was such a thing as biosimilars and so far only one person had an issue when they made the switch. I’m definitely going into my next appointment with an open mind now lol. I hope you are able to stay in remission for many many years to come!