Generic Name: Remicade for Rheumatoid Arthritis (infliximab)
Remicade for Rheumatoid Arthritis Reviews
"My wife had RA from when she was a child. She had used the normal meds till Remicade. She was in Japan and started on Remicade in Apr 2007 and died in Feb 2008 from the reactions/side effects to it. I advise that if you get any of the side effect symptoms, see your doctor right away. I have found that if you get one symptom, you will get more. There are 3 pages of side effects/reactions."
"Horrible joint swelling/pain, fatigue like none other. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. figures I probably have had this 15 years, a few replacements along the way. Took MAJOR flare to be diagnosed. Loads of joint damage all over. Started on Remicade, nervous. Cannot take methotrexate due to kidney disease. Third dose dr increased dose, 5 days feeling worn then MIRACLE! NO swelling, pain, best I have been in years, no fatigue. Hoping it continues with each infusion. In tears of joy everyday with my quality of life."
"I was diagnosed with reactive rheumatoid arthritis in August 1998 after getting the first shot of the Hepatitis B vaccine, which triggered my RA. I was on prednisone for a year, Plaquenil, sulfasalazine (which almost killed me), Arava (leflunomide) for a while, and was on Humira, which didn't help. I changed to Enbrel, which gave me rashes. In 2000, my rheumatologist, who was into RA research and had RA himself, ordered Remicade infusion with MTX. That's 15 years of quality of life, and I am continuing 5 mg Remicade every 10 weeks. All my RA labs and tests are negative except for CCP (which is 5X higher than normal). This coming month, I'll be off my MTX. Even when I'm in remission, I did not stop my Remicade because flare-ups are worse than the first symptoms."
"I suffered with RA for over 15 years in most of my joints. 6 years ago I moved to a new state and started with a new RA doctor. She started me on Remicade and lowered the dosage of methotrexate. I have been pain-free for the past 6 years. Love my doctor and Remicade."
"I had been on Remicade since 2003 (11 years), 5 vials every 4 weeks. My doctor took it away due to issues with the infusion department. I hate not being on Remicade. Remicade did wonders for me, it gave me my life back, and unfortunately, I am back to where I started 11+ years ago. I am having difficulty with everything, I can barely type this comment."
"I love it! I'm 16 and have been treated for five years. Methotrexate made me sick and Enbrel, via EpiPen, was more uncomfortable than my arthritis. Remicade is pain-free and the time inconvenience is worth it."
"I was diagnosed with RA about 12 years ago. Started on Methotrexate but had to discontinue because of higher than normal enzyme levels in either my kidneys or liver (can't remember which organ). My RA doctor recommended we switch to a biologic, Remicade. I was also on Plaquenil and Leflunomide along with Remicade but have since discontinued Plaquenil with no issues. Still taking Leflunomide. I've been taking Remicade (800 mg infusion every 6 weeks) and Leflunomide (pill once a day) now for over 10 years since my diagnosis of RA. I've had no side effects with Remicade or Leflunomide, no joint damage (caught RA diagnosis very early), and in complete remission for over 10 years. Now my insurance company wants to switch me to Inflectra over Remicade because it is cheaper. I may have no choice, but I'll be calling my RA doctor and see what he thinks. May have to appeal to the insurance company if my RA doctor has reservations and stay on Remicade which works remarkably for me!"
"For two years (09' 10') we were trying to figure out why my knee hurt so bad. Over the two years, it moved into my whole body! I had seen 5 doctors, but they had no idea and gave me guidelines of what I could not do, which made the RA flare-up worse. On Dec. 8, 10, I was at school (I am not one to complain about pain) and I broke down crying. My rheumatoid arthritis had gotten so bad in my back that it started shutting down my SNS and I could not walk. I had to have my friends carry me to the school office. My parents stayed home with me for a week because I could not move without someone. We were able to get in to see a pediatric rheumatologist on Dec. 15, 10. That day I was diagnosed with the disease. This is the first medicine that has helped."
"I have been on two other DMARDs (Enbrel and Orencia) with little or only so-so results. With Remicade, I felt relief almost immediately with no adverse reactions. I noticed my inflammation and pain have greatly decreased, but most importantly, the fatigue that dogged me has lifted. I am hoping that this medicine keeps working for a long time. Best wishes."
"After a double synovectomy of my right wrist and left elbow in 1985 at the age of twenty, I had sixteen years of remission until 2001 when I had a downward spiral rheumatic flare. I was disabled for eight months, and my rheumatologist put me on very high doses of methotrexate and Vioxx. I was only able to walk with a cane. I found relief in 2002 to 2003, but another flare-up dislocated my left wrist and crippled my fingers. I started the year 2004 with a synovectomy of the left wrist. At this point, I had enough of the methotrexate and Vioxx. I sought alternative treatments of glucosamine/MSM, with Tylenol Arthritis for pain. In 2006, during another flare-up, I moved to RTP, where my doctor introduced me to Remicade with medium doses of methotrexate. No pain, I'm happy."
"I had been on Remicade for many years with no side effects at all, perhaps a little tired every once in a while, but nothing serious. My doctor and I questioned whether I had rheumatoid arthritis. Then, all of a sudden, the Remicade stopped working, and bam, I had 2 flares that were unbelievable before the doc could get anything to work for me. I was heartbroken because it was such a good medicine for me."
"I was on Remicade for the past four years. It has recently started giving me bad reactions during the infusion. My arthritis would also flare 1.5-2 weeks after the infusion. Loved Remicade, hated how expensive it was."
"Have had 4 Remicade infusions in combination with MTX and Plaquinil. The 1st infusion was great and all my pain was gone. I thought OMG a miracle drug! Then, 2nd infusion I had a reaction which felt like I was having a stress test performed, a bit scary, and then the hands and feet broke out with a horrible psoriasis-type rash which I have never had before (and still can't seem to cure). 3rd infusion with Benadryl injection was 6 hours of slight reaction and then little or no relief from the pain. 4th injection with twice as much Benadryl prior to the injection and 10 hours of reaction while being infused and zero relief after. The fact. I gave up on Remicade."
"After several years on the drug I developed asthma and then chronic bronchitis which ended with a severe bout of pneumonia. This happened despite my taking the vaccination of it. Please be aware of these problems. I had told my doctor who really did not listen until I got very sick and then agreed it was in part, the Remicade"
"Just had my 3rd Remicade infusion, can't believe all I'm able to do. Due to some joint damage in my knees and hips, not totally free of pain. Best I've felt in years. Severely reduced prednisone after 3 years, plan to stop. Diagnosed in 2013, but have had symptoms off and on for 25 years. Little to no improvement with Humira, Enbrel, Orencia, Actemra, Plaquenil, Methotrexate made me sick, Xeljanz, Sulfasalazine. Vitamins, no sugar, wheat, or milk helped me also. Joint pain and swelling nearly gone. Praying it lasts, thanking God."
"I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 1 year now and continue to take Sulfasalazine and Nabumetone daily. I stopped taking the Enbrel after 7 months as it was no longer relieving joint pains. I have had two infusions so far and do notice improvement in my most painful joint (shoulder). My rheumatologist prescribed a dose pack of steroids, which I took after my 1st infusion. Receiving these drugs together, I was hoping for more improvement, but I will take what I can get. My arm has markedly improved range of motion, although it is not back to normal. My legs are still stiff, and I still need to shuffle my feet when I walk. I go back for my third infusion next month, and thereafter, infusions will be every 6-8 weeks. I sure am hopeful this treatment will improve my quality of life."
"I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Arthritis (RA) September of 2015 (29 years old). First I was on Plaquenil which never seemed to help and on top of it I developed a terrible hive rash which went away once I stopped taking it. Next I tried Humira. That worked great for about 6 months before my symptoms came back. Now I'm on Remicade and have been for almost a year now. It works great. I get my infusion every 8 weeks and have NO SYMPTOMS!! I love Remicade. It gave me my life back. I am slightly concerned though because I've developed another rash that won't seem to go away after 2 months of dealing with it, trying steroids etc etc. Cross your fingers it's not Remicade causing my rash. I'll cry!"
"On Remicade for 10 months. At each infusion, the dose has gone up with no lasting relief. Now at 800 mg every six weeks, relief lasted only 2 weeks, 2 days. Back on Prednisone and Darvocet until I see the doctor tomorrow. Nothing has worked except a combination of Arava and Methotrexate. Had to leave Methotrexate several years ago because of high liver enzymes. At this point, nothing seems to give relief except Prednisone, and I will not take that even more than a few days. Possibly adding Arava to Remicade after tomorrow. I am getting very tired of constant pain."
"I was on enbrel for nearly 9 years before it stopped working and humira didn't work at all for me. I started remicade nearly 4 years ago, my Dr started me out getting an infusion every 8 weeks and over the first year he brought it down to every 4 weeks. It's been working great but after the first 2 years my knees started bothering me but after some injection at my orthopedist they have been under control. Now both my elbows are really bothering me, at first it was when I woke up but now it's 24-7. I go in for my next infusion next week and will talk to my rheumatologist about the pain. I was curious to see if anyone else has had knee or elbow pain after being on remicade"
"I was diagnosed w/ severe RA in 2009 by my general practitioner who discovered it through a blood test, which is not always common. Well, after being on MTX 8pills/a wk. (for 8 yrs) and Arava daily I have also been on Enbrel, Humira, Actemra, Orencia & Zeljanz one worked most didn't. I finally just started Remicade infusion on 2/16/17. The first day I slept 20 hrs. a few days later no change then yesterday ~The Miracle Day~ not one single pain, no flare ups 100% pain free! OMG I was so happy I cried! Today not so good as yesterday but I'm very hopeful! Good Luck to the rest of you all!!!"
"I had RA for a few years and decided to try Remicade, during the infusion my chest started to get tight. I asked the nurse to check me and she checked my blood pressure , it went from 121/78 to over 250/120 in 15 minutes. She switched off the machine and I was taken to the ER for and EKG."
"I was diagnosed with RA in 2004 and began steroids and methotrexate. Next started Enbrel for approximately 8 months but the citric acid in the Enbrel was unbarable. Then I began Remicade Infusions. I started out nine years ago every 6 weeks. I'm now on 700 mg every four weeks and weekly injections of Methotrexate but wouldn't change a thing. I still have stiffness here or there but the fatigue and pain I use to experience are gone and I live a full and happy life. It's been such a Blessing to me."
"My mother had RA, was prescribed "remicade" as an option for her RA. To say the least, we ended up burying her. Shortly after taking remicade my mother's health diminished quickly. I do believe the doctor was at fault for suggesting this medicine due to her prior medical conditions. The drug was too strong. Be careful, or you could end up apart of a Eulogy!"
"I was diagnosed with Systemic Sarcoidosis. After a year and 1/2 of trying different medications with no relief, I started Remicade. The first two Infusions got rid of the flu like symptoms and the horrible aching pain throughout my body. The third Infusion got rid of the same symptoms, except I do feel knee and back pain still due to damage done to those areas from arthritis. I felt the back and knee pain after the first two Infusions too. I didn't realize how sick I was until I felt better. The last time I didn't feel like I had the flu all the time, was 32 years ago! I thank God for Remicade! It's a miracle drug. I have absolutely zero side effects too! I give it a 20 on a scale of 1 to 10!"
"Like some RA people, diagnosed easily back in 1990. Genetically "gifted" it from maternal side. Having tried all the old first line drugs w/o success I started on second line of meds including Enbrel. It was great for 6 months. Then it stopped. Remicade was started & after one infusion I had a horrible reaction: Serum Sickness" . Paralyzed for 3 days, severe allodynia (pain all over). Would never take this drug. It was the mouse protein in Remicade that I reacted to. Wish you all well!"
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