Remicade | Arthritis Information

I don't know if you're at your max meds or not but I can tell you a little about Remicade.  The biologics have scared everyone but for me it's about quality of life.  If you have emergency surgery you can't be informed or have the time to stop taking Enbrel or any of the other biologics.  I think for the most part Drs. do inform their patients about the risks of the biologics or at least give their patients information concerning the risks and complications.  Remicade shouldn't be given if you're having surgery the same as Enbrel.  Many people have to stop and start their biologics due to sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, fungal infections, etc.

Forums like this one also are informative. We all have the responsibility of gathering as much information as we can about any medications we're on and this forum will help you to do that.

I'm getting ready to have my 3rd infusion of Remicade and already I'm having less joint inflammation.  My fingers don't resemble large sausages (just small ones) and I actually have ankles and curves to my legs.  My joints hurt less.  I can make a fist with both hands. The pain that I'm having is probably from erosion and the biologics don't help with damage pain.  I've been able to taper the Prednisone from 30 mg. to 12 mg. and for me that is quite an accomplishment.  I thought that I would never be able to wean from Pred. and now I have hope. I just cleaned my kitchen and I'm not exhausted - wow.

I'm probably more careful than the average Remicade infusion patient because I have lung disease from RA and another auto immunce disease.  I wash my hands a lot and use antibacterial soap.  I'm careful about being around anyone with an upper respiratory infection or any infection for that matter.  I try and stay my distance from small children if they appear ill. 

For me Remicade seems to be working.  For how long I don't know.  I was on Enbrel for 10 months with mixed results. 

It's a difficult decision to make but I'm glad I made it.