Barbarann's Story

I was about to graduate from a physician assistant program when I was diagnosed with indeterminate colitis. For four years, I took a biologic medication that effectively managed my symptoms. I was enjoying my career and living life to the fullest with my husband and baby daughter. Then my disease took a turn for the worse.

Doctors had to remove my inflamed colon and create a j-pouch. The first surgery didn’t go well, and I needed five major operations to repair the damage. After that, I started another biologic treatment which kept my symptoms in remission for three wonderful years. Then, just as I was about to give birth to our twin sons I contracted Valley Fever, a fungal disease common to our region. Now at higher risk of infection, my doctors switched me to a different biologic to reduce that risk. Unfortunately, the new medication didn’t work to manage my IBD symptoms, so my doctors prescribed high doses of steroids, which I took for about a year.

I eventually got approval to go back on the biologic that had worked before I contracted Valley Fever; however, I had developed primary adrenal insufficiency, which is often linked to high doses of steroids. This was disappointing news, but I was relieved that my IBD symptoms were finally under control again. I did well for 18 months, until my doctors told me that my insurer refused to cover my medication. I had to try and fail on a medication of their choice before they’d let me resume taking it — a practice known as step therapy. It took eight weeks for my insurer to finish the authorization process for their preferred drug. I missed an infusion. I was terrified and stressed. I missed work, and I was often too tired to play with my kids.

I took my insurer’s preferred drug for four months, and it didn’t work. So now, after five years of remission, my IBD symptoms are back. I don’t know what’s ahead, but I do know that no one should have to endure extra stress and suffering because of step therapy. That’s why I’m joining the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation in raising awareness of the Arizona-passed step therapy reform law and calling for the U.S. Congress to pass step therapy reform, so that all patients with private insurance have access to an expedient and medically reasonable appeals process.

Learn more at www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/steptherapy.

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