Hi I was wondering how many here are on remicade I have been on it for about a year started off at 3 and know I am up to 5 vials and still having flares. I was wondering how many of you all are on remicade and how long does it help. I ususally go into a flare a week before I get my next infusion they are supposed to up my dosage the next time I go in they just ad to wait on my insurance company to okay it. Any info on this would be great Thank you so much. I did the Remicade for about 18 months ended up on the highest allowed dose every four weeks - it worked for me from the very first treatment and quit workng just as fast - I met people at the infusion center that have been getting the infusions for 2-3 years same dose same 8 weeks and doing great - I was just one of the unlucky ones. Hugs and good vbes.
Sometimes instead of upping the dosage they shorten the time span.
Sounds like you need a dose 1 week sooner.
I have been on 5 years - now at 5 vials. I don't feel much better after a dose than before - I used to - looks like I need a new med.
I've been on remicade for about a year. I go in every 2 months and they put in the IV, then I'm done.... how much is a vial? Is every bag a vial? I guess I don't know my dosage... only that it takes two hours to run through the IV...I know this is an old topic - BUT I figured I'd throw in what I know.
Remicade is made using human and mouse DNA (creepy, eh?) It's been shown to have good effects for the first 2-3 uses. Beyond that it seems that everyone's body forms immunities to the mouse DNA, making the treament useless.
Humeria(sp?) - is essentially the same as Remicade, WITHOUT the mouse DNA...you *can't* develop an immunity to it. So if you find yourself using Remicade, and it stopped working, but DID work at first, ask your Dr about switching to Humeria.(sp?)
My b/f has Crohn's and they use the same meds on them, so that info was given to me by a GI Dr who helped develop Remicade :) Hope that helps some people.
Katie: I believe you are correct about Remicade. I just started it and hoping it will help, at least for a while. From what my doc told me, most who are on Remicade are also taking Methotrexate. The Methotrexate is what keeps your body from developing immunity to the Remicade.
I was hoping someday to get off of the Methotrexate, it wreacks havoc with me body - therefore if the Remicade is effective, I was thinking of switching to Humira eventually! It would be thrilling to get rid of some pills! :)
I've been taking HUmira and MTX for more than a year and a half. I did have to go to weekly injections but it's still working well for me.
Katie; that's interesting information you posted. I hadn't heard that before but I like the sounds of it. Hopefully it can be a long term solution for me. I too would like to lower and eventually stop taking the MTX but so far I haven't had too much luck with that goal yet.
I'll keep trying though.
Yeah, my b/f isn't the EASIEST person to talk to about taking new meds, and so his when his GI recomended remicade again, he quickly let him know that it doesn't work. LoL So the GI layed it all out for him and said he'd like to see him on humira. We're still working on that. No insurance makes it a little hard. Oh well! Keep on treckin!no insurance will make it impossible unless he's got millions of dollas. My humira would cost 00 a month. Fou weeks I should say. That's not even a month.
It's honestly rediculous! I pay just with my prescription coverage.
I could be wrong so don't quote me, but when I researched these drugs (almos 4 years ago now) and discussed them with my rhuemy, I read/was told that both remicade AND humira require MTX also. Being that I had been on MTX years ago with no effect except stomache aches and hair loss, I requested the Enbrel. My rhuemy said they often use MTX with enbrel also but it is not required as it is a different bio than H and R.