Big Flare | Arthritis Information

My RD increased my fourth Remicade dosage from 200 to 300 units after the first three treatments weren't doing much good. I felt like I had new knees for a while. Then, after three weeks I went into a big flare and was pretty much like I was when I got RA. The doc put me on 20 mg. of Prednisone for a couple of days with instructions to start tapering down. Today, I am on 10 mg. with painful wrists and knees. Has anybody else experienced this while being on Remicade and MTX? Have a RD appointment tomorrow. Just curious. It seems like ingesting all this poison should be making me better instead of worse. I'm sorry you're having this trouble, Annie... I hope things settle down quickly for you.. I can't offer an experience.. just my best wishes.Annie, I hope your RD can help. Good Luck.Sorry Annie I never used Remicade but hope you are feeling better soon.

In the beginning I was on things and having doses fooled with only to get worse and worse. I thought the same as you are. Finally they got the right mix and BAM I was right again!

Hope the same happens for you!

Sorry Annie, I have never used Remicade only the Mtx. and placquenil. I seems to be hearing that it may take time to get he right med mix for everyone and that may take awhile. I hope they kind find something soon that will work for you. Best of Luck to you.
Mom2

Hi Annie, it sounds like you had 3 good weeks from Remicade. Your doctor will probably again increase the dose of Remicade at your next infusion. You have plenty of room for increase with Remicade, that's one of the good things about it, it can be adjusted. The next time may be the one that keeps you going for the full time. Sometimes it takes 5 or 6 infusions before you feel the full effect of the infusion. If you're not taking a dmard he may add one. If you're taking one he may increase it. You still have room for adjustment. I know it's hard to be patient but it sounds like it's starting to work for you. Lindy

I feel for you Annie...

My personal opinion is that it is the medicine making you worse..

but noone here would hear that....
(You might want to check out the RoadBack Foundation site)...I found some hope here.
Although, I am not doing antibiotic protocol yet.. I did see an amazing CA dr. and I have learned the things that work for others , dont always work for me.
You can be the only one who knows how you feel when---- fill in the blank there....

I know medicines can help... but i hated being on them as my RA and immune system never reacted nicely. For some these medicines work wonders.I havent found too many here however that actually feel much better and I can say I have more good days than bad,

Learn all u can and dont take anything just because dr. or a few others says its good.

Diet and stress mangenent can help immenesly!

Good luck. Hope you feel better soon.

I wish you well...

There are many here that feel pretty darn good on their meds. For the most part people that are in clinical remission or who are feeling quite well are out working or doing the things that they love to do and not posting on the forum. I, for one, have decided to take time to post because it's important to tell people that remission is possible, no matter your drug of choice.

I wouldn't be so quick to say that it's Remicade that's causing these current problems. It's most likely that Remicade needs to be increased again or the time between infusions needs to be shortened. You're really on a very low dose of Remicade. There are some people that's on much more than you're taking and they're doing great. Just stay focused on those 3 weeks that you had, and with another medication adjustment it may mean that you'll feel like that for the whole period of time between infusions. It's a long, drawn out process but if your goal is clinical remission you have to stick with it. Lindy

[QUOTE=LinB]There are many here that feel pretty darn good on their meds. For the most part people that are in clinical remission or who are feeling quite well are out working or doing the things that they love to do and not posting on the forum. I, for one, have decided to take time to post because it's important to tell people that remission is possible, no matter your drug of choice.
[/QUOTE]

I agree 100%. For the most part, I feel pretty damn normal. I get a few bad days here and there, but hell - even non-RA people do. I am doing wonderfully on fish oil and plaquenil. I work a full-time job (which often involves crawling around on the floor, moving equipment, and setting up computer systems), tend to a husband, two kids, and two ailing parents, and participate in lots of volunteer activities with our school/church. When the RA first hit, I could barely get out of bed because my feet were so painful, and the knuckles on my hands were so sore and swollen that even holding a coffee cup was agony.
Hi all,

Thank you for your good wishes and great advice. The doc increased my Prednisone for a few days and he will put me on something other than Remicade if it doesn't start working after a couple more infusions. He is totally by the book. He says diet doesn't make a difference and exercise will cause more joint inflammation. My husband knows a man who has RA and has turned his situation totally around with diet. I am going to try some of his suggestions to see if they work for me.

Hope you all are having a good day.

AnnieMax

I agree with LinB and Jasmine. I am doing very well on Rituxan. My RD believes that I am very close to being in remission and I agree with him. I have pain, but it is related to joint damage from 8 years of uncontrolled RA.

I walk 3 miles on the treadmill every morning and bike 4 miles, at least three times a week. My family and friends are amazed at the transformation. Last year at this time I was in constant pain, had a hard time taking care of myself and my family.

Yes, it can take awhile to find the right combo of meds. Rituxan has enabled me to get back to living my life. I've been able to drop both MTX and prednisone. I have always followed a healthy diet and was a vegeterian when I was first diagnosed. It didn't help with the pain and inflammation that I had from RA. I continue to follow a heart healthy diet because of my families history with heart disease.

Hang in there. Things do get better and I and so many other people are living proof of that,

Lynn

Lynn492008-07-31 08:49:06Exercise is actually very good for us - when we can do it. LOL Start slow and don't strain anything. Work up slowly. I can't remember who here is up to 3 miles or more a day. Exercise does release antiinflammatory cytokines and all kinds of stuff that helps lower inflammation.

Hugs,

Pip

Needed an 'e' in here!