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Remicade Question.......

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/11/2010 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
I think im choosing to take the remi over the humira, and just wondered if anyone knew what exactly the "transfusion" consists of.  I went to my family doc to get the TB test, blood test, chest xray, etc, and had asked if she knew. she said it may be a blood transfusion, but didn't know for sure. i don't think that can be right. a blood transfusion every 8 weeks? no way.  that doesn't seem to be a legit way of eliminating the chronic inflammation. any insight would be greatly appreciated as i will prolly be starting this stuff in the next week or so, or whenever the test results come back. thx wink
Posted 9/11/2010 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
It's an antibody.
Posted 9/11/2010 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
It's actually an infusion of a mouse protein that reduces inflammation in the bowel.
Posted 9/11/2010 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Ditto pp - it's a medication that is administered through an IV. Just like chemo patients receive medication through IV.

And actually from the information that I have been given, it's very similar to Humira and Cimzia in it's form as a TNF blocker but it uses a mouse protein instead of a human protein. And, of course, the other two are more "user friendly" in that you can administer the drug at home.

I hope Remicade works for you. I loved it when I was on it.

PS-I think you should fully understand the drug before you start it. If your family doc knows nothing about it, read over the Remicade website and talk with your GI before starting it. It's a powerful drug with some serious possible side effects that should be explained to you prior.
Posted 9/11/2010 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
To understand how Remicade works and get other useful information about the medication you are going to take, I think you might find it helpful to read this information:

http://www.remicade.com/remicade/global/understanding/understanding.html

My infusions lasted about 3 hours each time. There is a loading dose protocol that starts with the patient receiving the first dose, then 2 weeks later getting another dose. Then 4 weeks after the 2nd dose the patient gets a third dose. Then the infusions follow on the every 8 week pattern.

Posted 9/18/2010 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I had my first infusion of Remicade last Wednesday.  Everything went well.  It took me over a year to decide what treatment option to go with, but knew I wanted to get off of prednisone.  I am still on it right now, but only taking 10mg per day.  Hopefully after my next infusion, I can get off of it for good!  Anyway, there is a lot of bad stories about Remicade out there on the internet.  I finally found a presentation on line that talked  about the side effects and other associated risks.  It helped a lot.  Here is the link.  http://programs.rmei.com/CCFA139VL/Presentation/player.html  It talkes about each treatment, but focuses on the biologicals like Remicade.  The infusion was simple.  I went to the Day Hospital at 8am.  They game me some Tylenal and started the infusion around 830am.  I was completely done and out of the hospital at 1045am.  I was planning on returning to work, but the Tylenal and something else they game me made me extremely tired.  Hopes this helps!

 

Posted 9/23/2010 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the presentation link! Great info. I'm considering Remicade as well and am in the research phase.
Posted 9/24/2010 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have had no ill side effects as of yet, except for a mild cold that I caught.  I had not had a cold for about 2 yrs.  I get my second infusion next Thursday.
Posted 9/25/2010 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
I had my third treatment today it seems to be working , I just feel real tired for a couple of days after the treatments and my joints hurt in my hips and legs , but not going to the bathroom as much, i guess we have to pick our battles, I hope that you have some relief after your treatments.
Posted 9/25/2010 11:08 AM (GMT 0)
That was a great link. Thanks! I'm in the research phase as well. Doc gave me the choice of Iumuran or Remicade. Not thrilled about either.
Posted 9/27/2010 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am a new member though I have been reading this forum for awhile. Just wanted to say that I am very happy that I switched to Remicade. It has been a big help with pain and diarrhea especially.  I get very tired for a day or more after each infusion but that is the only side effect so far, though I worry about it.     But, yes, always be sure that you get all of the information from your doctor (I think that there was some confusion in an earlier post between transfusions and infusions)

I have a question about anybody going out of the country for treatments.  Mine are very expensive (I have 70/30 insurance). The cost is $12,000 per infusion so it was costing me $3,600. So I am presently using a clinic in Mexico. So far (6 months) I am happy and saving money. Does anybody else have "out of the country" experiences to share?  I know that not all insurance policies will cover this.

Thank you,

Aiowa

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