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Posted 10/25/2010 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello -- I've been reading the posts for a few weeks but haven't seen any mention of Remicade. I'm about to go back onto the drug after three years off. I took remicade for about 7 years then went off because I was feeling good but was having a lumbar fusion and the surgeon thought that healing might be better without the drug. My spine fused but my RA is awful -- as bad as when it was first diagnosed.

I've been warned that the drug is not as effective the second time around.

Anyone have experience with remicade?

Thx.
Posted 10/25/2010 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Albizia, why would it not be as effective? Same med, same person? I tried remicade once but didn't take to the mouse protein, had a lot of trouble breathing so they took me off it!
I'm about to go back on humira after a one year break so I'm interested in how you go on the remicade second time round.
My rheumy wants me to fail so she can try me on some of the new meds out there! To be elligibe you have to fail! I'm hoping it works really well and my joints settle and I have my life back!
I know a few people on remicade if you need any advice? They don't post here anymore.
Goodluck, sorry to hear your RA is bad.
I'm having heaps of trouble with my tendons at the moment, as if the bones arn't bad enough! Now my tendons decided to get in on the inflammation! Obviously wanted to join the party!
Lets hope the remicade works quickly for you, golitho
Posted 10/26/2010 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hey I am getting ready to start my first Remicade treatment next week. Check out Crones Disease forum, they have alot more post about Remicade!
Posted 10/26/2010 10:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks....I'll check it out. I wonder if remicade is prescribed more for Crohn's than RA now.
Posted 10/26/2010 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
There were clinical studies done on the effect of Remicade after being off of it for a period of time. The study did find that Remicade was less effective in SOME people the second time around. The main reason for this loss of effectiveness was that the patients had developed human antichimeric antibodies.

I took Remicade for 2.5 years. I stopped and switched to another biologic because the Remicade was not relieving the symtpoms of my ankylosing spondylitis anymore. Tried Humira and had a problem with that. I'm on Simponi now [it's approved for RA too] and have found it to be the best at controlling my inflammation.

Why are they not putting you on one of the other biologics approved for RA?
Posted 10/27/2010 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info about clinical trials, most of the news I had was from women who had gone off remicade to have a child then back onto the drug and it wasn't working as well.

I think my doc wants to try remicade because it worked very well for me for the 7 years that I was on the drug. No side effects and good results.

In 2000, where I was first on the drug my rheumatologist chose it because enbrel had supply issues. I also know that he likes remicade because dosages can be adjusted.

I know that there are several newer choices on the market if remicade doesn't work.
Posted 10/28/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Its definately worth a try, if it worked so well before. I am being positive about going back on humira too. I really want it to work!
Maybe we can just will these meds to do the rght thing by us?
I feel like a need a break, I've had enough and this will work. Hows that for our mantra?
Go Albizia, remicade will work, we can only try, golitho
Posted 10/28/2010 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks golitho! I am staying positive. Had the first dose yesterday and learned that the nurses call the period off the drug a "drug holiday." This makes it sound like I was on cruise or something fun and carefree -- I liked the phrase.

Going back on remicade means six months of pre-medication with prednisone and antihistamines given about a half hour before the infusion. Doses two and three will be the important ones where I'll know if my body has developed a defense against the drug.

Good luck with humira. Hope you enjoyed your "drug holiday" and that getting back on works for you!
Posted 10/28/2010 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I too had been on remicade for many years and found that it was the best medication out there, but since last year, I had some problems with my insurance and had to switch. back and forth between the insurance, I was off Remicade for 5 months and gone back to it it. The remicade had a completely different effect. before being off, I can go 2 months with out pain, but now, on my 4th infusion after my restart, the remicade is only effective for 10 days or less. my ankylosing spondylitis had flare up. since the remicade did not do it's job, my doctor had to give me some other meds on the side, Tynlenol 3 & Celebrex or mobic where both I found not so effective as well and it made my colon bleed. I have yet try humira or symphony yet. Good luck to you with the restart of Remicade, it did not do will for me the second time around.
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