Remicade

Hi all!

 

I am a F/51 in Mississippi. I started Remicade today. I will take another infusion in 2 weeks, then another 1 in 4 weeks. I then will go to one every 8 weeks. I am curious if I will notice a change after just this one, or will it take all 3 starter doses?

 

Thanks so much! I look forward to learning here!

 

Daffodil

Thanks for the reply...I do feel a little better this morning. Still have all the same symptoms, but not quite the severity. Maybe it's just mental, but I am SO SO hopeful this works. Do you have some symptoms during the two months between infusions? I have had UC for about 20 years, but just in the past year and a half it has gotten progressively worse. I never thought I would have to go this route, but I am thankful it is there and available.

Thanks for replying, I don't know anyone in my area to talk to about this... (and it's a little embarrassing!)

 

I started to' see the difference, and mainly stopped cramping and bleeding, after the second infusion, on Tues I had my third..I always get very tired the day I do it..

Let's keep fingers crossed for you that it work as quick as possible!!

TG

Post Edited (Theagremling) : 11/13/2010 12:33:05 PM (GMT-7)

I am in the same boat....I had my 1st infusion 2 weeks ago....no difference yet....I am going tommorrow for my 2nd....

Thanks
Carmen

I go to the bathroom about 3-6 times a day(depending on what I eat, milk and caffeine is a big no no, lol ) I was going about 10-15 times a day and having accidents when I went out of the house.  I haven't had any accidents but if I have to go I need to find a bathroom within five minutes or we will have a problem. I can make it though. I also know I go in the morning(worse is than), than after lunch, and sometimes sometimes not after supper. I might go mid morning(usually when I'm out, I think it is a mind thing). I started remicade in July 2009 and I was allergic to asacol and lialda and 6mp, I was diagnosed in March 2009. I was put on 5kg every eight weeks. I was on this dose until August 2010 because when I had a colonoscopy in March 2010 they said the remicade is helping my symptoms but it didn't heal my colon. They wanted to take me off and I asked for another six months to a year. She did a blood test and my blood work came back that the remicade was out of my system. So they upped it. It is working alittle better than before. I go in for a scope in Feb to see if it is healing me.

We are at a catch 22-do they take me off it and I get worse like before or leave me on it if it isn't healing my colon and risk colon cancer. I have a life now. i still worry but that is normal(about accidents) but it is helping. They said I can either go on humira or the trial drug MLN0002. I'm not fond of a trial drug and what if you take me off this and the humira and trial drug don't work.

Just praying the scope comes back that it is healing me.

Oh, and my symptoms don't get worse right before each infusion. I do get reactions from the remicade(heart burn, rash, etc) but they treat these things and my infusion is run slow I get there at 9 and stay till about 2:30-3:00.

This forum is awesome. You do feel alone and no one gets it. You also get great advice.

I felt better about a month after infusion 4. :o)

Interesting. The study on Remicade showed only 35% (versus 17% placebo) of people at week 54 weeks were still in remission. (and many were still on prednisone!) Wonder what the stats would be here for Forum users? I don't (personally) think the side effect risks are worth it.

Wonder what the stats would be here for Forum users?

http://www.remicade.com/remicade/global/hcp/act1.html#1

It worked for me immediately!  The same day i was feeling better!  Although the only thing is that it worked for the first 3 infusions and then i started getting symptoms back but as someone stated earlier i was also on prednisone for the first 3 also.

Everyone responds to Remicade differently. For me, after the very first infusion I went from having 5-6 bathroom trips a day to 1 IF THAT. Trust me, even if it doesn't work right away for you, it's worth the wait so be patient. Those who have had it take a few infusions are grateful it worked and I'm sure you will be too.

I am going to have my 4th infusion December 10th. For me, when I am between infusions and getting close to being due for one, I can tell that I am ready for one because some of my symptoms will return...pain especially, though, it's never gone completely...more tolerable I guess would be a better way to describe it. Lately though, I am having more intense pain in my left side and then it eventually travels throughout my colon since I have severe pancolitis.

I hope everything works well for you and please keep us posted on your progress!

Glad to hear you are feeling so much better! By the way, I'm female and 51 too! From California! Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I was in constant flare from the onset of UC in 2001 until March 2006. Bad flare - 15-25 times a day, bleeding every day. I started Remicade in March and was fully in remission after the second dose. I've been in remission ever since, and the only steroids I've had to use were HC enemas after I take antibiotics.

So, I've now been in remission for going on five years thanks to Remi.

Good Morning to All!!

I am headed shortly for my 2nd infusion, and Judy2, like you, I hope to be in full remission! I do know it could take a few more, but the last 2 weeks have been the best 2 weeks in a LONG time for me.

I will update soon, and I wish to all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. I will be truly thankful for Remicade, and hope to have my wonderful, "normal" life back soon!

Mollie

I live in MS too.. :) Started remicade about 3 months ago and I noticed a huge difference within 2 days of the first infusion.. Remicade is a life saver for me. It is the only thing that has worked since I was diagnosed. The only side affect I have is about 5 hours after the infusion. I feel like I have the flu and then it clears up the next day...