HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Remicade - help

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/25/2010 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor is starting me on Remicade tomorrow.  Does anyone have any success stories or failures with this medicine?  Any side effects?  Any input would be appreciated.  Hope all of you are well.  Niki
Posted 3/25/2010 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have no experience with receiving any infusions but I have read enough forum posts from others who have to suggest you drink a lot of water so you are plenty hydrated before you go. People say it helps ward off headaches and such...

Best of luck to you!

Posted 3/27/2010 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
If you're body can withstand it, take the steroids prior infusion (they infuse them and also give you benedry pillsl, which between adjusting to the infusion and the benedryl - will knock you out like a 10-ton weight the first few times) and take methotrexate weekly if they offer it. Both help prevent reactions and allergies to the remicade, allowing you to take it longer.

I took neither methotrexate or the steroids and became allergic to the Remicade after 20 months.

However, Remicade, if it ends up being right for you - is a miracle drug. It worked wonders for me while I was on it and able to take it.

***

Posted 3/29/2010 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Also, you can look on the Crohn's Disease threads...it's a standard drug for that illness too...
One of the links that might help out...
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=1144027

I've taken Remicade previously as well...did quite well, but stopped being effective for my Crohn's,
so I'm now on Cimzia...another TNF blocker...

As for the infusions, they last about 2-3 hours...sometimes shorter, sometimes longer...I always got benedryl IV and would therefore sleep for much of it...but I would also bring my laptop to play a movie or brought something to read. It doesn't really hurt, as the nurses are usually very good at finding a vein...
Posted 3/30/2010 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I had my first infusion. They did give me benedryl and I'm already on Methotrexate and prednisone. Made me very tired...didnt read that as a side effect but it happened. However, because it takes til the 3 infusion to start working, needless to say I'm suffering in alot of pain because basically I'm on nothing to help pain or stop the inflammation. Thanks to all for easing my fears. Hope you are all well.
Niki
Posted 3/30/2010 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Niki! Hope this is your silver bullet! Between the MTX and the benedryl- that's enough to make you feel tired even if it's not a side effect of Remicade. Hope you have the opportunity to rest. All the best to you!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply