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How long for Remicade to kick in if it works?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/10/2008 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
I was just wondering, is it true that you can start feeling better within days if it actually works, or is there alot of variability eg some do but others may take weeks or longer?  Hoping to start it in the next few weeks and maybe, just maybe enjoy the holidays without pain.
Posted 10/10/2008 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
it should start within a day or 2.
Posted 10/10/2008 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
I started feeling better within 48 hours after my first infusion. That was 2 months ago now. I am still not in remission, but my symptoms are tollerable and manageable now. I am also on Lialda.
Posted 10/10/2008 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Took about three weeks for me. It can take as much as 5 infusions before you feel a difference, though, so don't give up if you don't feel better immediately. Good luck!
Posted 10/10/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I have had two, and I am getting my 3rd in 2 and 1/2 weeks.

Right before the first one, I spiked in my flare pretty hard. Like 30 times a day hard. In the first two weeks after my first one, I came down from that one. I am not attributing it to remicade (due to not getting my hopes up to quickly), with the note that I started SEVERAL new things at about the same time - diet, fish oils, acupuncture, etc etc.

After the second infusion over a week ago, I have had probably the best week I have had in 9 months. No lie. Things aren't perfect, but my stools are semi formed (still small/this, which tells me that my colon is still swollen), with no blood. I have been farting like a champ for a week now (I haven't been able to pass gas without an accident/being on the toilet in 6-7 months). And although I still have a bit of urgency, it is no longer "immediacy".

Basically, after two infusions I am starting to see my depression repressed, as well as my symptoms. I have been hesitant to post anything because I don't want to get too excited if it's all just coincidence. After my third one on the 24th, I will give my official new opinion.


Right now, I like it. And I am glad I did it. Here's to hoping it lasts.

PS BTW - I tempted fate the other night and ate 2 hotwings (really hot) from a local Bar & Grill. No problems. None at all.
Posted 10/11/2008 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
I've had 4 infusions so far and I'm not in remission yet. However, all but a few centimeters of my colon is healed, so Remicade has mostly worked.

Sean, I am SO jealous that you had hotwings! I have had any in almost 2 years!
Posted 10/11/2008 10:28 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks and good luck to everyone else.  I am psyched to try the Remi and see where things go.  I know well the feeling of not wanting to jinx oneself with high hopes, while at the same time not wanting to lose the psychological benefit of hope- since the mind does play tricks.  Even a small early improvement would make a huge difference in quality of life for me, especially in pain and feeling there is hope for getting off of pred. for good.  I'm psychologically well prepared to switch high gear to surgery within a few months from now if it doesn't work at all.... though interesting that in some cases it can be months before you notice a difference (seems rare though).  Will just have to see.  I think if I see no results after a couple infusions, I'm going to ask for surgery.  I may try acupuncture (which I did use for some pain benefit years back) as a stopgap while I wait to get slotted into starting Remi.

Posted 10/11/2008 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
I just started on Remicade a couple weeks ago when I was in the hospital. I got my first infusion on a Tuesday and by that Saturday I started to improve. I went back a week later and got a 2nd infusion. I'm home from the hospital now and doing pretty well. On 30 mg of prednisone now. So I'd say for me it took 3-4 days to see a difference with the Remicade. I go back in 8 weeks for another infusion.....

I think the Remicade is amazing. So far it's the only thing that's worked for me. I was in the hospital for 20 days and I've been out for a week. Hurrah for Remicade!



Katie
Age 25

30 MG Prednisone
Lialda
Remicade every 8 weeks
Posted 10/11/2008 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I go for my third infusion on Wed. I had my first one in the hospital. My GI said my colon was one of the worst inflamations he had seen from my c scope. I did not notice anything really at first but I am out of the hospital now with no bleeding and I am starting to have more formed stools. My recent labs show my inflamaton has gone down significantly to the shock of my GI. I actually feel good now, no stomach aches or pain, my only complaint is I still have urgency but when I end up going to the bathroom almost nothing comes out. I am hoping the Remicaid will lower my sensitivity and let me hold my number 2's longer.
Posted 10/12/2008 3:00 AM (GMT 0)

Glad to hear that your treatment is doing well for you and I think what is important to share here is that Remicade isn't always and immediate fix if it does indeed work.  My healing on Remicade was very similar to yours and it wasn't until my fifth infusion that it kicked in.  I was about to give up hope and had already spoken with a surgeon about surgery.  I'm glad I gave it another try...at 10 mg rather than 5mg.  (That was the golden egg for me.)

Lucky777 said...
Well, I have had two, and I am getting my 3rd in 2 and 1/2 weeks.

Right before the first one, I spiked in my flare pretty hard. Like 30 times a day hard. In the first two weeks after my first one, I came down from that one. I am not attributing it to remicade (due to not getting my hopes up to quickly), with the note that I started SEVERAL new things at about the same time - diet, fish oils, acupuncture, etc etc.

After the second infusion over a week ago, I have had probably the best week I have had in 9 months. No lie. Things aren't perfect, but my stools are semi formed (still small/this, which tells me that my colon is still swollen), with no blood. I have been farting like a champ for a week now (I haven't been able to pass gas without an accident/being on the toilet in 6-7 months). And although I still have a bit of urgency, it is no longer "immediacy".

Basically, after two infusions I am starting to see my depression repressed, as well as my symptoms. I have been hesitant to post anything because I don't want to get too excited if it's all just coincidence. After my third one on the 24th, I will give my official new opinion.


Right now, I like it. And I am glad I did it. Here's to hoping it lasts.

PS BTW - I tempted fate the other night and ate 2 hotwings (really hot) from a local Bar & Grill. No problems. None at all.

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