Had an allergic reaction to remicade

I had a remicade infusion on Wed. With about 1/2 hour left for the infusion to complete, my eyes started burning & swelling, my lips became numb, and my blood pressure dropped to 88/42. I was given a steriod injection through my IV and a shot of benedryl and began to feel better. The nurses said they had not seen anyone have a reaction that late in the process before. I have previosly had the infusion twice before while I was in the hsopital during flare ups. The nurse said I probably didn't have a reaction then because I was already recieving steriods. During the treatment my lower back started hurting really bad. The nurse said that is usually not a symptom of using the remicade. My lower back, hips & legs are still hurting. I am wondering if this could be from the remicade. The remicade has helped my colitis. I haven't had any bleeding since I had the infusion. I'm wondering now if I shoud have any more treatments with the remicade. Has any one else experienced these problems?  

During my last infusion, I started itching and they slowed it down.  A few hours after, I had horrible charley horse cramps in my calves.  Then at night, my hands and feet were tingling and numb. The cramps lasted all night and throughout the next day and I took several pain killers with no pain relief.  The Arthritis doctor tell me this was totally a coincidence, it is not a side effect or reaction.  Baloney.  Seven days later I had debilitating joint pain and had to break down and take Prednisone because again, I could not get any relief with Darvocets, Tramadol, anything.  I hear there is a test to see if you have antibodies against Remicade.  I have chosen not to take it any more without taking the test because I am frightened what may happen to me even if the test comes out ok.  The Remicade nurse said I could take Prednisone 3 days before the infusion and after to prevent reactions, but I feel the Remicade is causing me pelvic pain and joint pains although all the doctors act like I am crazy.  They tell me they never heard of such reactions, or it's impossible to have a reaction that long after the infusion.  Well if you really search side effects you can find these things so it is possible....

hey. I have never been on remicade, but I do get serious allergic reactions to bee/wasp stings - anaphylactic responses. what you're describing is exactly the early signs of that kind of allergic response, and it is a very serious type of response, one that can be deadly. that sort of allergic reaction can become very serious very very quickly. It sounds like remicade has worked well for you, so I know it would be frustrating to have to get off it, but at the same time, that type of reaction is potentially life-threatening, and very rapidly life-threatening, so you need to really think hard about whether or not to risk it with another infusion. It may be that taking 2 benadryl before the infusion will help you, but I am not at all sure it will be enough to prevent a reaction. It might make the reaction less severe but that too is a gamble because anaphylactic reactions escalate within a matter of minutes.

I don't mean to sound pessimistic. Just wanted to let you know that the type of reaction you had is not something that can be ignored.

Thanks to all of you for the info on the remicade infusion. I will be seeing my GI soon and we will decide then what the best treatment will be for me. I recieved my infusion at a Cancer Treatment Center and I do think it is a safe place with good care. Before I recieved the infusion, I was given two Tylenol and a benedryl capsule. The nurses there were very observent at all times.

I work in a preschool and have a child who is allergic to peanut butter. We keep an epi pen on hand at all times in case he has an allergic reaction. After my incident, I now see , more than ever, how important it is to have the epi on hand.

Again, thanks for all the input. It is very helpful.

PMH