I read your posting with interest. I too have been on remicade for about nine years now. You're probably familiar with the warnings about certain fungal infections -- histoplasmosis among others...
In the US, the drug manufacturer, Centocor has a reimbursement program if your insurance co-pay is more than $500 for the medication (not the associated costs of infusion). It's called the RemiStart...
I take Leucovorin about 8-12 hours after methotrexate. This is supposed to stop some of the side effects. It may help with fatigue. I was getting mouth sores, nausea and fatigue. It has helped....
TommyH: Good luck with all three planned surgeries! I've had both pisiform bones removed as part of wrist surgeries in 1991 and 92. I had the wrists fused with a screw and ruptured tendons repaired...
Alicat: Ask your rheumatologist before going to the appointment --- he or she will give the best advice. Mine has me stop remicade prior to surgery. I usually check in with him before my first...
Deby: I was diagnosed with RA in 1981 when treatment protocols were opposite what they are today and the DMARDs were the last drugs used -- typically after several years. Unfortunately after several...
Jody: I'm back on Remicade after a two year hiatus. Previously I took the drug for over 7 years. It's effective and I've had no side effects including going back on the drug which is when rejection...
Fatigue is awful and it is definitely one of the symptoms of RA. I can relate to your comments about no matter how early you go to bed.... When I was first diagnosed, at age 25 I remember planning to...
Heather: I took methotrexate and remicade for about 7 years without any problems and it worked quite well at controlling RA. I went off for about two years and have gone back remicade about six...
weary: Are you able to see another rheumatologist? I think anyone who tells you that you're doing wonderful when you feel awful is not listening to you. I have had the disease for 30 years and all I...
I have the Remistart reimbursement program. It is a bit confusing to get registered but they do pay. I cannot speak for Medicare coverage but I had to agree not to submit the drug cost to my FSA for...
weary: Sounds like the back of your hand -- between the knuckles and wrist -- is swollen? If so, I had that for a couple of years without much, if any, swelling in my fingers or knuckles. In my case,...
I have rheumatoid arthritis and take remicade. I was on it for 7 years with reasonable results but went off for about three years. I started back last October and have had three doses with only a...
Lynny -- Not sure where you live but in the US there is the Family Medical Leave Act that entitles you up to 12 weeks annually for medical reasons (yours or family member). There's a standard form...
Dee -- My left elbow was always my worst joint from the beginning -- 1981. At that time, drugs like plaquenil and mtx weren't prescribed until you'd gone through the entire range of NSAIDS which did...
Oredigger, I've had similar pain in my collarbone from RA which I thought was coming from my shoulder which is badly deteriorated, torn rotator cuff etc. My rheumatologist disagreed but did not...
Hi All: I've been taking diclofenac sodium [Voltaren] for 20 years without problems. I take 150mg/day but have been as high as 200mg/day. I do take prilosec to protect my stomach. I've never found...
Hello JeniG -- Massage helps relieve muscle tension and tightness which can temporarily relieve pain around damaged joints. I find it helpful to get the ache out of my wrists which are fused and my...
Thanks golitho! I am staying positive. Had the first dose yesterday and learned that the nurses call the period off the drug a "drug holiday." This makes it sound like I was on cruise or something...
I'm recently back on MTX after a 3-year break and thankfully have had none of the side effects. A daily dose of 1mg of folic acid helps with the mouth sores. Previously when I was on MTX I did have...
I assume that its the joint at the base of your thumb? I've been told by both my rheumatologist and orthopedic surgeon that it's an 'easy' fix but a long recovery. I think by long recovery, they mean...
Thanks for the info about clinical trials, most of the news I had was from women who had gone off remicade to have a child then back onto the drug and it wasn't working as well. I think my doc wants...
Thanks....I'll check it out. I wonder if remicade is prescribed more for Crohn's than RA now....
Hello -- I've been reading the posts for a few weeks but haven't seen any mention of Remicade. I'm about to go back onto the drug after three years off. I took remicade for about 7 years then went...