Two Questions: Remicade and Simponi

I have been on Remicade for a year now.  I was in a bad place with my UC when I started.  I noticed some improvements when I started remicade, but never a drastic improvement.  It took about 4-5 months to see a good improvement, but that is when I changed from 8 weeks to 6 weeks and that seemed to help out alot.

From what I have read on Simponi, I wish it was available for UC a year ago.  I would have preferred it to remicade. 

 

I just had my 2nd infusion of Remicade a week and a half ago. I noticed improvement the following day after my 1st infusion, my family even said I looked different (better). I was in the hospital though when I got my first one and was also on asacol, prednisone, cipro, flagyl, azathioprine, pantoprazole, dilaudid, and iron.

My first 2 were 10mg/kg and my 3rd one will be the same. I did 2 weeks between my 1s and 2nd, will do 4 weeks between my second and 3rd. Depending how things go after my 3rd one, they want to make the intervals every 8 weeks at 5mg/kg. As long as I don't completely stall on the improvements or start going backwards I am a happy man.

The first few days seemed like some decent steps forward. Since then, I am still improving but it has slowed down. At this rate I feel I will be completely better within the next 2 months.

It took awhile....helped a little when started at 5 mgs per kilo@10 weeks. Upped dose to 10 mgs per kilo and went to 6 weeks and the magical remission began. Health and happiness returned and we didn't think about poop every waking minute! Hang in awhile, unless you notice no improvement, or have a reaction[of course].

MikeSoCal those are called the loading doses of Remicade. Typically, they do two weeks between the first two doses, then 4 weeks between the second and third, and then every 8 weeks.

I didn't take 4 infusions to notice an effect, but I did have to increase the frequency and dosage to get into remission. I would go in for my infusion, and then 2-3 days later suddenly feel much better. I'd never be 100% asymptomatic, just not as sick as before. But then after a week or so, I'd start getting worse again, very slowly.

It took 6 weeks + 10mg/kg + 50mg 6MP + hydrocortisone enemas to get to remission. I've been off the enemas for about two months, and we'll decrease the Remi in a few months.

Remicade was a miracle for me, I was in bad, bad shape at the hospital. Got my infusion on a Friday and the following day I was already feeling better, and today, 5 days later, I actually have formed stools, a little flat sided due to inflammation, but dear Lord, I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't taken remicade. I am due for another infusion next friday, I don't even know how I am going to get it since the insurance doesnt cover it, praying that the assistance program at Jenssen will help me with an application. As far as the other drug goes, I am fairly new to UC, so, I hadn't even heard of it.