How long between last Remi infusion and starting Humira

     To those of you who went off the Remicade and started Humira...how long did you have to wait?  My last infusion of Remicade was three weeks ago and the doctor said something about starting the Humira next week.  Is this too soon?

     I was a bit surprised that the doctor just chucked the Remicade.  I was only on half the max dosage. He said he consulted with all his associates.  They all know me over there..lol.  It was agreed that since I have shown no improvement after my last two infusions that I have built up antibodies to the Remicade and it will do me no good.

     The nurse who gave me the Remi infusions told me that she doubted Humira would work if Remicade didn't.  Something like comparing Macy's to Walmart

Hey Christine :)

I have actually discussed this with my GI before because we had the discussion that if Remi didn't work that he would try Humira.. but you can just move on to Humira, there is no waiting period before you can switch. I'm thinking that when your next Remi infusion is due, that's when you should start the Humira, and then you will be on a more regulated schedule. I think it's one shot, every other week or something like that. I'm not sure if you will have to do loading doses though, since you have already done that with Remi and they are both biologic medicines... And, people who have not had success have had it with Humira and visa versa, so that nurse should have kept her mouth shut. All you need is more negative thoughts...

Good luck and I really hope the Humira works for you!! XOXO

some doctors will start patients on humira right away after remicade therapy while others prefer to wait until the remicade has left your system (6-7 weeks i think?). the reason for this wash-out period is because there hasn't been any studies done on people having humira & remicade in their system at the same time. so some GIs are very cautious about this, but again there seems to be no consensus on this in the medical community.

it was 2 1/2 months for me in between remicade & humira.

Christine - don't listen to that nurse with her negative thoughts!!  You know my husband so far as beat lung cancer and now a weak heart and congestive heart failure by BELIEVING he will get better.  Of course, treatments, etc. are necessary for this to work but I do believe in a positive attitude!!  Praying it works great for you - you really never know!

ElaineNY

I started with Humira and my GI told me if it didn't help then we'd try Remi so I think it's the norm that docs do this, I don't know why one would work if the other didn't maybe it has to do with one being a human protein (Humira) and Remi being a mouse protein cuz from what I was told that's the only difference between the 2 (besides the way they're administered)...worst thing my doc said was if neither helped me then I'd be faced with an ostomy (that's not happening).