thanks for the replies about Remicade!

[Guest guest]

Boo, Cary and Althea-

Thanks for your informative answers! I also seem to " run

out " of relief 1 1/2 weeks or so before my next infusion. I am on a

6 week dose-I have gone up in dosage and also moved forward to six

weeks from 8, but I am sure I would have more relief if I could go

up again. My rheumy is slow to up dosages due to my history of

infections, but all in all, I am grateful for the relief I do

receive from it. I take Arava along with it-it is my understanding

that you must just be on a DMARD or MTX-any will do as long as it

agrees with you. Sometimes by the time I get to my infusion I am

using two canes and some help to get into the car and to the

hospital. I had grandmothers on both sides of the family with RA who

were completely unable to take care of themselves by age 40-I am 35

now and I hope that the medications that we are lucky enough to have

these days will prevent me from being in a similar boat. I have

permanent damage in several fingers and toes, my left hip and my

left ankle and a rotator cuff injury that won't heal, but I can

still drive most days so I am happy for that. Thanks again for the

info-being the only person in my world with RA and Fibro has denied

me the experience of having someone who understands exactly how I

feel-I feel so grateful to read the posts here and contribute to

this group!