Hey,

I have had two Remicade infusions (2 of 3 loading doses) and I'm having the third infusion in two weeks. I went for the infusions by myself and it was fine for me (infusions take 2-3 hours). The nurses will monitor you throughout the infusion. However, if they told you to bring someone with you, then that is what you should do. I have two autoimmune diseases (diabetes, too) and I am allergic to a long list of drugs but I have done well with the Remicade (had some minor muscular pain at first but it has now gone away). I think the Remicade is helping me (although in the last few days, my swelling has returned). I remain optimistic that I am going to have great success with the Remicade. I already feel better than I did.

I am sending you positive thoughts and wishes for success in your treatment.

I just completed my second year on Remicade. I tolerate it well, have had some problems at the begining with URI's but the last year or so I have done pretty good. I am sure without the Remicade I would have continued to spiral downward and probably not be working or walking now. As for the first infusion I would take someone with you especially if you have to drive any distance. This way if you are tired (which I usually am) someone else can drive. All of these drugs have possible side effects, but the alternative is just as bad. Good luck, Charlie

I only lasted a short time on remicade (allergic reaction at third dose) but did have someone drop me off and pick me up (I didn't want them to have to wait) - I found I was very tired and "third person" (sort of felt foggy like I was watching myself) afterwards.

I found it took me around 5 infusions before I noticed any change. It has helped me a lot. I have always drove myself, just making sure I had nothing to do the rest of the day so I could rest. My Dr made it very clear that she wanted me to stay on sulfasalasine to help me from building any antibodies against it or to limit any allergic reaction. If you have a allergic reaction they give you benedryll during the infusion. I had to stop MTX due to stomach issues

hope this works good for you

thanks for all the replies. I am starting tomorrowa t 9 am. I am so worreid about the baldder issues, it says. I have intersitital cystitis, not a bladder infection, but it seems like a lot of people get bladder infections on remicade, or so the nurse told me. I take mtx, 15 mg but is kiling my stomach so dr had me skip this weeks and then told me to go to 7.5, I know that is not enough with the enbrel but maybe it will be with the remicade. I do take the injectable also so we will see hopefully I can tolerate it. I take stuff for my stomach but he says that really doesn't help when you start to get pain from your stomach from teh mtx. I have read a lot of reactions from teh remicade and a lot of peole get sinsus/bladder infections and seem to have allerigric reactions more so the longer they take it so I will just have to trust and hope it works for me. I have very very bad tight calf muslces and tendon and achilleis and he seems to think thta is also from teh RA anyone experiecne this with RA. sorry for so many quetions.
Thanks again,
Becky

Becky my name is John I am new to this group. I am also told I have RA and am currently seeing a rhumatoligst. My knee is swollen and inflamed and constantly painful. I am retired and continue to work around the house doing whatever I am able to do. I noticed you mentioned tendonitis and problems with the achilles tendon. I also have theese problems and a host of other problems with my feet including arthritis what kind I don't know. Right now I am on placquinil
and prednisone. that I am currently not taking because of the side effects. high blood sugar and no relief from the pain. I have not tried remacide or enbrel or any of those medicines.. I am currently changing rhumatoligst at the end of the month. I know you also have quite a lot of questions that I cannot answer sorry this is all so new to me. If you or anyone else in this group has any suggestions or comments I would greatly appreciate the help.

Hi John,
Sorry you have so many isseus also. I was told that the achilles and the tendons wer e not symptoms of RA but I don't agree, right now my right calf is really bad and when I try to raise my toes they really make it bad, whoi knows what I have done.
I was on enbrel for over 8 years along with mtx and it helped me greatly. I was on plaquenil at the very beginning but did not think it did much for me and did not like have to have my eyes examed so much.
I hope you find a good rheumatoligist and get some meds worked out for you.

Becky thanks for your reply I am very painful today. I will see a new rehumatolagst the end of september and I will post what she tells me. I know a lot of theese medications like enbrel, humara and a lot of the others have a lot of side effects and they might be brought up when I talk to the new rummy. my question is how do you deal with the side effects. I have read alot and don't like what I read. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. Best wishes with your treatment. John