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Dosage Change

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/11/2017 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I got a call from my pharmacy today to confirm that my dose had been changed. Apparently my Dr is cutting my dose in half?? Ive been at 10 every 6 weeks for 2 years. I always get a bit symptomatic around 5 weeks....my fistula acts up. Why would he do this? I have to wait a week to find out. Any ideas? Feeling cranky and super nervous.
Posted 5/12/2017 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
What medication are you talking about?
Posted 5/12/2017 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
I'm guessing it's Remicade. If I'm right, then 5mg/kg is the more usual dosing but some folks do take double that. But for your doctor to decrease the dosage without telling you first is pretty outrageous. I can only think it's a cost thing or a test result thing - have you had any recent blood tests done?
Posted 5/12/2017 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Yes sorry, Remicade. I had Remicade levels drawn last week for the first time. They didn't explain much about the test other than to say it measures antibodies. But the tests have to be sent from BC to Quebec and I was told it would be several weeks before those results are back.
Posted 5/12/2017 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty vague on this, but as I understand it, you can have too much Remicade in your system. I think there are side effects if you do though, like joint pains and such.
Posted 5/12/2017 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
I get 10 mg/kg every six weeks as well. Could it be an insurance thing (or whatever the Canadian equivalent is on who decides to approve medications, etc.)? I don't think that they would have the tests back yet to see if there's too much or not, and it doesn't sound like @dabennett has any of those symptoms. I'd give my GI a call. Since 5 mg/kg is the standard dose, it could be the "refreshed" the orders (I think it's like once a year or six months they have to renew them) and out of habit put 5 instead of 10? That's the only reason I can think of for doing it without discussing it with you first and without any test results.
Posted 5/12/2017 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have any overkill remicade symptoms like joint pain. I did call but won't be able to find out why until Monday and I am just nervous and irritated over it. When I don't have a large dose, things get nuts. I guess I will just have to wait and seem I dint think its an insurance thing- I am 100% covered.

Its not an accident. The clinic administrator confirmed via email that my Dr changed my dose but she could not share why....
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