I have been on Remicade for about 6 years and it has worked well until the last few months. The Dr. says I need to switch to something else and is giving me a choice between Orencia, Rituxan, Humira and Enbrel. I really don't like needles!!!!!!
hi, sorry I can't help with where to go from Remicade, but can you tell me why it doesn't work any longer? How much were you taking when you quit? How often? Lynda (I'm just starting and had my 5th infusion, (00 to medicare, 0 to me! each time!),
I am on humira and it works well for me. Enbrel worked really well for me for about a year, then the effects started to wane, so I was switched to Humira. I stayed on Humira for about 6 months without any improvement, so was then switched to Remicade. The Remicade actually worked very well for me, but I developed tinnitus, so after about a year, I was taken off of it and switched to Rituxan. I only had 2 courses of Rituxan, but it didn't seen to kick in and my symptoms worsened in the span of a couple of months (RD said effects should have shown after 3 weeks), so I was put back on a trial of Remicade. I just saw my RD today, and he's taking me back off the Remicade because of ototoxicity, so it looks like I'll be starting Orencia next week. In the meantime, I also talked to him about AP therapy, and he's going to start me on Minocycline in addition to the Orencia. He said he wouldn't want me going off the biologics until the disease has been better controlled. Whatever that means! LOL BTW...if you decide to go with Enbrel or Humira, the Enbrel injection is a lot less painful than the Humira...IMHO. I hope you find something that works well for you. Melody I am on Remicade but a woman came in for her orencia while I was getting my infusion. She was in and out of there in 35 min! I still had a long way to go with my slow drip so I was impressed. The infusion nurse said she prefers orencia because not only is it quick, she hasn't seen any side effects during an infusion so far. Hi... I've been taking Enbrel once a week with the sureclick for about two months. I felt remarkably better the day after I started it. I know some people think the shot hurts, to me it doesn't hurt any more than any shot. One thing, it did sting ALOT before I was advised to let the alcohol dry before taking it. Made all the difference. The site is a bit itchy for a day or two, but not too bad. Better than a mosquito bite. Good luck with whatever you decide on. Linda
Lynda, I am currently on the maximum dose for my weight (6 vials), every 6 weeks. At almost .000 each infusion, I thank God my Hubby's insurance covered 100% My RA started out quickly and painfully (from a sore shoulder one morning to the emergency room less than 2 weeks later because I couldn't get out of bed on my own) Once diagnosed with RA and many medications later, my Dr. put me on Remicade. It has kept me out of a wheelchair. Unfortunately, my hands are now hurting 24/7, even after treatment. Doc says I need to try something else and maybe in the future Remicade would work again for me. I am not excited about the every 4 week thing with Orencia, but REALLY do not want to self-inject! The Rituxin sounds good schedule wise, but with only a year of FDA approval for RA and more serious, even though rare, side effects, I think I'll see if my hubbby's insurance will cover the Orencia. Best wishes with your treatments.
Thanks again, everyone, for your input.
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