Waiting for my 4th remicade infusion

I'm in a really similar situation as you....currently waiting for my 3rd infusion but still having 2-3 BMs and really bad cramps all day. Did you see a difference when you upped the dosage?? I really hope this medicine gets me into remission.....there's not much left to try!!

I noticed an improvement in uc symptoms a week after my 2nd dosage of remicade. I noticed a much larger improvement in uc symptoms a week after the 3rd dosage of remicade. Since then, there has been a much slower, and steady improvement of uc symptoms.

Often remicade is taken with some form of immunosuppressive medication (e.g., aza, 6mp, imuran) and using the two together may further improve your uc symptoms. I'd ask about that the next time you see your GI (as you didn't mention these meds in your post).

Van girl, took me a tear to recover from my last flareup of uc. It's a terrible disease.

I actually receive my next Remicade infusion May 27th as well haha.
I noticed a difference after my first infusion and then a larger improvement after maybe my 4th or 5th infusion. Since then it has been a slower improvement but still improving. I am having around 3 solid-ish BMs a day with no blood, and only sometimes mucus. I still get cramping, bloating and gas but not as bad as I did when flaring for sure. I feel way better than I have since being diagnosed in March 2011.

I am however now on a double dose of Remicade every 6 weeks instead of the 8, because my symptoms wouldn't stay away the entire 8 week period. I have been on Remicade since July 2013. And I also take 75mg of 6mp, which I have been on since May 2013.
Good luck!! Hopefully the Remicade helps you

I've had the tailbone/low back pain. I was surprised to realize some of the dull achey-ness was actually rectal pain. But I've had pain with my UC from the start... back pain all over and pain in the guts. Just got off Percocet and started Remicade recently... happy to not have that pain so low again. It really is painful. I liked heating pad or an ice pack for it :)

As for Remicade: I have my 3rd infusion on the 19th.

I had my first infusion followed by an immediate hospital admission... I dont know if it was the drugs or the forced relaxation, iv steroids, and constant hydration.... but my urgency and frequency decreased within 3 days. Also can no longer see blood and much less mucous much less often.

My second infusion I noticed no difference... though I lost a family member and had a lot of stress the day before and after my infusion. I did have an increase in urgency and had to start wearing depends again. Also noticed a big increase in gas.

So my third infusion is almost 2 weeks away. I hope to get some good results from it, like the first one. I plan to spend the next 48hrs after it relaxing, staying hydrated, etc.

I was so excited and hopeful after the first infusion, and sort of bummed after the second one.
Really looking forward to the third one and see what happens.
If I don't see myself closer to remission by the time my loading doses are done, I plan to add 6mp or Imuran.

From my experience the remicade works slowly but definitely works. You just have to be patient and keep your faith. I believe it's not just physical healing from the drugs but mental and spiritual healing is key as well. I wish everyone luck with their infusions and just remember patience is important.

It wasn't until after my 5th infusion that I felt I was getting into real remission. It lasted a few months, and then I started having breakthrough symptoms again between infusions. They moved me from a eight week schedule to a six week and increased my dose to 7.5. My skin has since gone crazy, and my GI has stopped the Remicade because of it.