remicade question

Each infusion takes me about three hours from the time I get there until I leave.

Where it's given and the hours depend on your doctor. Some use outpatient surgery centers in hospitals, some use infusion centers. My doctor's practice has its own infusion center and they give appointments between 6:30 AM and 2 PM. I know there are some here who get infusions on Saturday. It just depends on your doctor's accommodations.

Remicade is intended to be a maintenance drug. Usually you get your first infusion, then a second two weeks later, a third four weeks after that. Then the most common schedule is every eight weeks. A few people have had only the three-dose induction program. The problem with that is that if you flare again, the remicade may not work for you or you may have developed antibodies to it so you can't re-start the medication.

The only side effect I've experienced is slight tiredness the rest of the day after my infusion.

Thanx for the info. I'm going to the doc on Monday so I have the weekend to decide.

Sue, I don't know what kind of work you do, but I've arranged with my manager to take my laptop with me when I go for my infusions and work while the IV's running, so I don't have to use any sick leave. You might see if you can negotiate something similar.

Oh and if I remember correctly it took about three hours and I went to the hospital for it for insurance purposes.  I was always scheduled early, maybe around 7am.

I kind look forward to my next one as well. i have spent so much time in the officei n the past two years that everyone knows me and comes in to say hi. Even the scheduler comes in! They make it a nice, comfy environment.

Someone told me that Remicade has been linked to Lymphoma. I know that the risk is small, but it's still scary. When you're on Remicade, you continue to take all of your other meds?

remicade worked well for me for about 2 years. i had immediate results with very few side effects (leg cramps and very hot for a few hours after) the time getting the infusions was well worth the result. its an expensive drug with strange side effects, but if you feel bad enough to warrant its use, then its sure worth a try.

I asked my Gi about the cancer thing and he said that the risk was soooo small. There have only been like 9 casesof it ever and they were all crohns (not that i think that makes a difference)
He wanted me to stay on imuran for awhile becuase it helps your body not to build the antibodies against remicade. Or something like that.

Remicade has been what's put me in remission!!   I was on track to be lined up for surgery as my next option.  I went from being so sick that I was in the hospital for 6 days talking surgery to complete remission.  Get this,  I"ve even had a stomach bug that I caught from my kids a few times, and would recover in about 24 hours like "normal ,  non-UC people" do.   Having something like that used to ALWAYS put me in a flare.    I enjoy getting my infusions now,  yea, it takes about 3 hours,  but this is nice forced relaxation time.   Can't feel guilty about the relaxation.     I watch some tv,  and/or read,  and/or  play my hand held solitaire game and often take a little nap during it.  (the Benadryl makes me a little sleepy during it.).   I have never had any kind of reaction to the remicade,  just good effects.  I am so thankful for it right now!!   Wish you lots of luck on your decision!!