Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group
Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...
Today I had my second remicade treatment and a few minutes into it I was unable to breath, my throat closed up and my skin turned red and puffy. My doctor stopped the infusion and injected me with an eppy pen, salumedrol and benedryl. I was sent home and my throat is still swollen, I'm very warm and tingly and I have a bad headache and my joints hurt and I'm very shaky and my chest hurts. Has this happened to anyone? If so should I still be feeling this way hours later?
I had an allergic reaction to Remicade but mine was a delayed reaction. I would have my treatment and about 5 days later I would have severe joint pain lasting until just before my next treatment (treatments were double the dosage and 6 weeks apart). This is not the usual "delayed reaction" to Remicade so I had to go see specialists to rule out Drug Induced Lupus, Lupus, R.A. etc. The pain was so severe that I would contemplate trips to the ER because I couldn't take the pain in my thumb or knee or shoulder, etc.
I know they can pre-treat patients with steroids who have a reaction while getting the infusion and if so, they may be able to administer the drug safely. I would have a long discussion with your doctor to weigh your options. It is unfortunate that I had to get off the drug entirely because it was keeping me in remission for the first time since my diagnosis. I'm hopeful you find some relief!
Best of luck!
Kris
I may have had a delayed allerhic reaction to Remicade, but I'll never know for sure now. A day or two after my third time getting Remicade, I woke with severe joint pain. I could barely move in my own bed. All my joints hurt so badly.I could barely call the doctor, because my hands were so stiff. They told me to take a vicodin, and get into ER right away. Because I do not have a car, I have to take the bus, but my mom was able to come get me. She drove me into ER and they monitored me for several hours, and gave me morphine for the pain.
A few days later, I got to see my GI. She wanted me to take a test to see if I'm allergic or not, but due to insurance stuff, it took me another 2-4 weeks before I was able to get the test. When the results came back, I had no Remicade in mys system, meaning my body developed an antibody to it. Bummer. But, I wouldn't be able to take it if I was allergic anyways. I'm now taking Humira, which doesn't seem to be working as well as the Remicade had before my body rejected it, but it's taking the edge off and making life more barable
Honestly, in your situation, I'd get myself into at least urgency care. Allergic reactions to Remicade can be very serious, and very painful. I may not have any medical training, but I've been aound doctors enough to know that they're human and will make mistakes. Your health is not worth it. Get yourself checked out by another doctor and make sure they understand that you're not feeling well. Get yourself a family member or good friend to advocate for you.
Hope you feel better, and I wish you better health for the new year!