Not sure if I had a reaction to Remicade yesterday or anxiety.... Didn't finish the whole treatment.

I had 10 600 ml Remicade infusions at 4 weeks apart. On my last, I was not medicated and I developed severe back pains about half way through. They immediately stopped the infusion and changed the IV to saline, squeezing the bag to get it in faster to dilute the Remicade. The Dr. then saw me and ordered a Benadryl and steroid shot and they hooked me back up and finished the infusion without further complications. Usually Remicade does so much good (plus it is expensive), they will try to get it all in unless they think it is promoting a heart attack. I felt that my lack of pre-meds caused my reaction and felt I could keep having them thereafter. The Dr refused saying reactions tend to get worse so no more Remicad for me and probably for you. Currently I'm trying to get by on Immuran but my G.I. wants me to go on Humira.

Hope this helps.

Dave D

I had a couple year break between when I took remicade in a research study, and when I got it prescribed. The first infusion made me feel very anxious, or so I thought. The second infusion made me more anxious, and when I stood up to use the bathroom, I passed out and hit my head. Then my blood pressure spiked, and I broke out in purple splotches all over my body. They stopped the infusion, and then restarted it later at half the speed. The third infusion caused an immediate spike in blood pressure, purple splotches, chest pain, and sharp stabbing pains in my kidneys that made my body jerk every couple seconds. Since the infusion was already going at half speed, they stopped the infusion and sent me home. That was the last one.

I was premedicated for all infusions, but it just didn't help. Now I'm on Humira, which is working for me.

Good luck!

I just received a call from my GI. We are going to spread the infusions to every 8 weeks, and he wants me to take one Zyrtec daily for 7 days prior to the infusion. Hopefully this will help.....

You are not alone

same thing exactly happen to me 2 weeks ago but for me it was not even 15 mint then i developed these side effect that you are talking about. the dactor told me no more Remicad for me since I developed these antibodies to this meds. i guess you dont need to take the rest of the dose. you need other meds now. Ask your doctor for Cimzia or Humira if you did not try those.

good luck