Remicade - how long to see results?

[Guest guest]

I have been on Remicade for 3 months now and have not seen any

improvement. The only change I've seen is terrible headaches which I

never had before. Has anyone actually improved on Remicade, and if

so, how long did it take? Do you still have to get the infusions to

stay in remission? Thanks, Jeannie

[Guest guest]

I've been on Remicade about 3 years with very good results. I didn't see much when we started at 3 mg/kg but after we increased to 6 mg/kg I got very good results and was able to get completely off Prednisone. It took about 6 months from the start of Remicade till we got the dose up high enough for me to get good relief. God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jeannie

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 8:29 PM

Subject: Remicade - how long to see results?

I have been on Remicade for 3 months now and have not seen any improvement. The only change I've seen is terrible headaches which I never had before. Has anyone actually improved on Remicade, and if so, how long did it take? Do you still have to get the infusions to stay in remission? Thanks, Jeannie

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your insights. My doctor prescribed MTX to go along

with the Remicade, but there is some type of shortage of MTX (at

least in my area). I've been waiting about 6 weeks to get a vial of

it. I have to take the MTX as an injection because the pills make

me too sick. I'm looking forward to getting the MTX to see if the

Remicade will work better then. Thanks, Jeannie

> Dear Jeannie- Remicade for me was like stepping out of a

nightmare into a

> dream. The change was very drastic. I was completely numb. I

had no pain

> sensation. I was in such a bad state then, back in 2000.

Remicade works best

> with MTX which I learned the hard way. I hate the way MTX makes

me feel, but

> after taking it week after week, I noticed a great improvement in

my RA symptoms.

> Because Remicade and other biologics are used to tweak your TNF

factor, some

> people are immune to its benefits. Discuss B cell drugs with your

doctor.

> Rituximab is due to be out soon, and Abatacept might work where

Remicade hasnt.

> Are you taking other drugs besides Remicade? Everyone is

different so

> results and immune systems vary. Your dosage or infusion period

may need to be

> increased. Drinking lots of fluids, including gatorade and water

help immensely.

> Try to get in to see an immunologist if you can, and have them

run specific

> tests to find out what your immune system is doing, so they can

find away to

> make it stop attacking you. Be sure to use good pain management,

because while

> Remicade still works for me, it wont work forever, and I know

given time my

> body will outsmart this drug, as it always does given time.

Blessings, Deborah

[Guest guest]

HI JENNIE ,

I'VE BEEN ON REMICAID FOR OVER A YEAR NOW IT TOOK A

COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR IT TO WORK ON ME ,BUT I STILL

HAVE A LOT OF PAIN FROM DDD AND O/A WITH MANY SPURS ,

BUT YES I HAVE TO STAY ON IT TO KEEP IT WORKING FOR ME

AS I CAN TELL WHIT IN A FEW WEEKS OF MY SIX WEEKS

INTERVEL AS MORE PAIN AND FITIQE SET IN BUT I WILL BE

GIVEING IT UP AS I HAD TO GIVE UP MY JOB WITH MY

INSURANCE BUT MY RHUMY. SEEMS TO THINK HE CAN

SUBSTIN ME WITH MTX AND AZULFIDINE ? BUT I NEVER HAD

ANY BAD EFFECTS FROM MY REMICAD ONLY MADE ME TIRED ONE

TIME ? ABOUT 8 MONTHS IN TO IT ,

JOHN

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: Jeannie

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 8:29 PM

> Subject: Remicade - how

> long to see results?

>

>

> I have been on Remicade for 3 months now and have

> not seen any

> improvement. The only change I've seen is

> terrible headaches which I

> never had before. Has anyone actually improved on

> Remicade, and if

> so, how long did it take? Do you still have to

> get the infusions to

> stay in remission? Thanks, Jeannie

>

>

>

>

>

>