Remicade fading away...

I started Remicade in June of 07. It worked instantly and I continued to get relief from 5mg at 6-8 week intervals. Life was finally normal and I could eat whatever I felt like, whenever I felt like.

But recently the medicine has stopped working as well as it use to, only lasting 2-3 weeks. My GI wants to double the dose now and I'm due back in for another treatment this Friday. I know this medicine is dangerous, and I was hesitant to start it to begin with. Having a double dose does not sit well with me because of possible side effects and repercussions.

Anyone have any experience like this and taking the max dose? Anything I should look out for? If this medicine does not continue to work I do not know where I will turn. I cannot continue to live my life in this constant pain that we are all too familiar with.

When it started to lose effectiveness for me, we just increased the frequency of the IVs, but it still didn't help and then I started having allergic reactions to it (and those were scary!).  I had to stop Remicade and was so devistated.  But, then I got on Cimizia (and now Humira instead) and I've got to say that stopping the Remicade ended up being a blessing.  So, there are other options out there for you to try if the Remicade isn't helping anymore or if you are too concerned about increasing the dosage. 

I take a double dose the only thing I dislike about it is how long it takes to administer it. I usually feel tired for a day or so then I am back to normal and am doing pretty well. My GI thinks I am on to high of a dose though and is thrying to cut back. I am now going in every 5 weeks instead of 4 but we will see how things go. Give it a try the reason I went double was because it only worked for a few weeks.

Hello Mintyamy! Welcome to the Forum!

Remicade was my miracle drug for a long time. I tried a "double-dose" one time, and I felt like I had been run over and beaten for about 3 days... no serious and/or life-threatening reaction, just kinda sucked.

In the end, more frequent doses (sometimes every 4 weeks) worked for me better than larger doses.

I was scared to death when I could tell the Remicade was wearing off, and I COMPLETELY understand about the Humira. I went through with the Humira just long enough to almost lose my marbles (having my hubby give me the shots was STILL too much for my mental well-being). After two rounds of Humira, I threw a fit and got my doc to approve me for Cimzia instead. With Cimzia, a nurse comes to the house (paid for by the drug company), and gives me the two shots in my belly. It really is NOT that bad, and as long as the nurse goes slow, it doesn't even really hurt. That's coming from a baby, just so you know.

There are other options out there, when the time comes. Meanwhile, good luck with everything, and I'll be sending good thoughts your way.

I had the same thing happen to me and soon found myself in the hospital after a severe flare. I was between surgery to remove part of my colon or Humira - and a severe phobia with needles. I got over it =)

I have been on Humira for 2 years now and I still freak myself out everytime. I have to give myself a pep talk each time but it's SO WORTH IT. Really, once you feel better the shot is furthest from your mind.