Remicade | Arthritis Information

I haven't ever taken remicade but I do have a question? Has anyone on this board, who has taken remicade, ever gone off of it after a time because they were in remission?
The reason I ask is that I have two friends who within the last six months have discontinued remicade. Their doctor, same one, is one of about twenty doctors in the nation who go this route after the patient is clearly in remission. Both my friends are a-okay and take no meds. or pain relievers, either OTC or prescription. I am sure it happens and somone will chime in soon.

I am on Remicade now and right now would not consider discontinuing it because it took Sooooooooooooo long to get to this point. I just do not want to start over.

With children, I've been told 'symptom-free for a year', then they stay on the med (this could be any med, not just Remicade) another year symptom-free and can stop. Recently, a mom posted she was told two years, then they can stop, so it is probably 'ever evolving'. If they flare, the clock starts over.

I would think adults would be the same, especially on drug given by infusion - they wouldn't want you on it indefinitely. Do you know how long your friends were on Remicade, and how long they were symptom-free before they could stop?

I had my first Remicade infusion yesterday. All went well. My RD told me that once you stop, you go right back to where you were. It would be great if some people go into remission. I don't look forward to being on it for the rest of my life. Mostly, I don't want any more slow poisons going into my body. I am also on Prednisone, MXT and Actonel.
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