I have been on remicade since March, this year, and my doc just increased my dose on my last infusion. It seemed to help but it only lasts 3-4 weeks. I get infusions every 6 wks, can't go the entire 8 wks. I am thinking about asking to switch to Enbrel or Humira...does anyone have any experience with this?When I was on Remicade it only worked every 3 to 4 weeks as well. So instead of upping my dose, my RD gave me infusions every 4 weeks. It was great, I would still be on it if I had not become allergic. Are you on MTX with it?
Likewise, when I was on Remicade, the effects only lasted about 3-4 weeks. My RD upped the dosage AND decreased the time between infusions, but no improvement. I was on Enbrel for a year BEFORE starting Remicade, and the Enbrel did wonders at first, but after about 6 months the effects began to wane. Same story with everything else I have tried. I'm now on Orencia and antibiotic therapy, and am feeling very optimistic, but will just have to wait and see.
Good luck with your switch to Enbrel or Humira!
Hi, I started Remicade at 300 mg. every 8 weeks about 10 months ago and have been increased over that period of time to 500 mg. every 6 weeks with pretty decent results. Talk with your RD about getting your infusions more frequently. Don't give up yet. With Remicade you can adjust the dosage and frequency more frequently than the other biologics. LindyThanks so much for your help. I will talk to my RD tomorrow. I may stick with the Remicade & try it every 4 weeks.
I am on MTX and have been for about 9 months, also on Prednisone and Plaquinel. MTX didn't do the job so I'm trying Remicade, too.
It's so nice to hear what others have to say and know that I'm not crazy or just a wuss! It really helps me to know that others are going through or have gone through the same things (unfortunatley for them). I really just want my life to be back to normal...does that ever happen or am I just waiting for something that will never happen?
Does anyone have any great suggestions for getting your energy back?
Hi-I have been on remicade for about 1 1/2 years. Didn't have any relief after the first 3 or 4 infusions, but after increasing the dose a few times and about 6-7 week in between. it sarted working well. I am up to 700 mg. My last 3 infusions haven't been hellpful so I guess we are going to start using Enbrel. Been flaring pretty bad, so hope it works.
I think it is worth it for you to try the increased frequency and dosage. Best wishes.
Tara,
Thanks for the info. I will probably stay with the remicade...just very frustrated right now. I try to keep a positive attitude, just hard sometimes. Things could be much worse so I'm thankful for that.
Hi All,
I was on remicade for about a year, in the UK we're only allowed it every 8 weeks for PA and it rarely worked for more than 5! My bloods didn't really change at all and my 1 year x-ray showed damage to my sacro-iliac joint that wasn't there in my baseline x-ray. I just switched to enbrel and it's been tough. I took my first injection at week 4 after remicade and the 2 drugs together seemed to be good but after 2 weeks I crashed and burned and then ended up with a virus so been laid up for a while. I'm persevering with it though as we're running out of options...
KT
Hi, I'm on rem myself, and it does seem to be working now. About 2 months I don't know at what point you say I need to change. Try every 4 weeks, (I take the 500) that's what I do. good luck, LyndaHockeymom, I had the same thing w/Remicade. I was on it for about 1 1/2 years and slowly it stopped working for me. My RD said he didn't see much improvement after 500mg, so we started out trying it more often but after awhile and lots of hurting, I started Humira. It has really worked well for my RA. The up side is not only did it help but no more Iv's. The shot is somewhat painful. I don't know if the needle is bigger or that with the pen you can't control the rate that the med goes in. But it beats rolling veins and blowing them out! It won't hurt to try a little longer but there are too many drugs out now that you shouldn't suffer any more than we have to.
Gentle Hugs
Elda
Thanks for all the help. I saw my RD today and she wants me to try every 4 weeks, that's about when I seem to crash. She thinks switching to enbrel right now would really set me back. I'll let you know how it goes after the next couple of months.
I have been on Remicade about 21 months, and I was going every 4 weeks until just recently.. Abnd at every 4 weeks I was on the maximum dose for my weight..
I bet you will have much better results.