Hi, I "now" after 20+ years with colitis, have Crohn's, fisutlizing is the concensus. I have a persistent perianal abscess/fistula. I've been on Remicade for a year, and it's a blessing while it works. I was taking 5mg every 6 weeks and was able to "make it" the last 2 weeks when it started wearing off. My ins. co. decided that 6 wks was too often, so they would only approve 10 mg every 8 wks. Surprise surprise, it starts wearing off after 4--5 wks, so I have 3-4 wks. of misery. First the low grade fevers start, then generalized body aches. Well, this time, I got some kind of migratory joint pain in my fingers, wrists, elbows, knees and feet. To make things worse, no ibuprofen due to upcoming cataract surgery. My crp level was 4+. The day after my Remicade infusion there was NO pain or inflammation. My GI now wants to add Methotrexate injections every 4 wks. I've never taken MTX and can't find anything about
the combo except for using it for RA. Even then, the people were usually on it prior to the Remicade. I'm kind of scared to take something else. I'm hoping it's not a problem with the Remicade (the pain I mean). The low-grade fevers were there before starting the Remicade, but I just go through the worst "withdrawal" before the next dose. It's like heroin, except you feel better, not high, after gettomg the next infusion. (no, I've never taken heroin, it's just an analogy).