Golitho please read

The something sitting on your chest was a reaction to the Remicade. I did the very same thing on my 3rd infusion. I also had pain down my arm and thought I was having a heart attack. They stopped the infusion and the dr had them give me IV Soluable Medrol 50mg and IV Benadryl 50mg. They waited a bit and then resumed the infusion at a much slower rate. From that time on I was given pre-meds before each infusion. I slept thru my infusions for 31/2 yrs. The Benadryl knocked me out. Please, please get a hold of your dr or his nurse well before the next infusion advise them of the reaction and have him rx pre-meds before the infusion. I never had a problem as long as I was given pre-meds. Some drs also had their patient take an anti-histamine the night before and the morning of the infusion as a pre-med, but your dr sure needs to to this with you. Was the nurses monitoring you and did you tell them about it. Always tell your nurse if anything strange or weird happens. One morning a man was in the same room with me and and when the nurse turned up the drip, he developed severe back pain pain, they carted him out of there on a guerney and admitted him for 24 hrs till his pain level dropped. It was a reaction and they had to start giving him pre-mrds.Its a reaction to the mouse protein. Thats why I am saying if aything weird of different ever happens tell the nurse ASAP. The Remicade just does not stay in the system all that long. I hope your dr changes you to every 6 weeks, I went every 4 weeks.

You are right, Humira shots are so much more easier to do than the infusion. I am getting ready to resume my Humira since my Bone Scan of my foot was negative, I am so happy.

Has your dr indicated as to when you may expect some improvement from the Remicade? I sure hope it is soon, I know you are suffering. Take care & let us hear from you.

Yes Enbrel is another biologic used for R/A so there is something else to consider if you don't respond to Remicade. My sisyer has RA and because of her poor health and no money to speak of she has never tried any of the biologics. She really suffers I know this.

I totally understand wanting to try other avenues in getting some relief. I don't know how much you have studied up on this, but there is surely many, many things that you can safely try. Anything to help with the disease. At least we have the option to search the web for ideas and can find things to help us.

Autoimmune disease are so weird in how they just attack the body. Its a mystery for sure. I just hope I am pass the point in getting dx'd with anymore of them. I have more than I can possibly handle in one lifetime, lol. I am 56 yrs old and never once ever thought my health would do a complete 360 like it has. All of this overwhelmed me when it started hitting.

Lets keep our fingers & toes crossed the Remicade kicks in and does what it should. Keep us posted.