REMICADE QUESTION

HELLO
I am on remicade after the third infusion
feel good without any side affect
i read somewhere that the body can become used to it and then it wont work
what the chances that it might happen?
thax

I just finished my 6th infusion of Remicade and have restarted Imuran as well as Remicade and remain on Imodium three times a day as well as 10 mg of Prednisone daily and have begun to see positive results.  The bowel movements are down to three or four a day and a reduced amount of blood.  I have not noticed any adverse side effects.  The results of Remicade alone have not been satisfactory.

I've been on Remicade for 2 and a half years....so far, so good. For the first year and a half, I was on Imuran at the same time. Because I'm on a double dose of Remicade, my doctor took me off of Imuran about a year ago due to concerns that the two medications might be suppressing my immune system too much and also might be increasing my risk of lymphoma.

I get eight vials of Remicade every eight weeks....I've been in full remission for over two years. Without it, I probably would have been forced to go the surgery route. As long as my insurance company continues to pay for the treatments....I'll keep taking it.

2 1/2 years, no side-effects, but I start noticing a little blood and mucus towards the end of the 4th, into the 5th week from the infusion (I get infusions every six weeks). I'm going to ask about an increase of dosage for the next infusion since I am already at an increased frequency and use rectal meds consistently. My colon showed almost completely healed at my recent colonoscopy in Oct.

Vega19, if you want to try Humira you should explore the appeals process of your insurance. If Remicade is no longer working and your GI agrees that Humira would be your next bet, it is possible to appeal. You may or may win your appeal, but I did read somewhere that there is a very high rate of approval once things reach the appeals stage (apparently most people just give up prior to that). So it may be worth a try.

If that fails, it's really just a matter of time before Humira follows Remicade from approval in Crohns patients to approval in UC patients. Hang in there.

Meesh