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Due to start Remicade


Fri, August 17, 2018 6:07 PM

About to start remicade infusions. Anyone have experience with this treatment? Nervous to say the least. Trying to stay positive that this will be the one that works. It’s discouraging to keep trying different treatments, get a colonoscopy, to find my disease is worsening. I also have ankylosing spondylitis that they are trying to treat as well. Fingers crossed I can get my first infusion next week. Waiting on insurance and my guts and joints are a disaster. Thanks for any info anyone has on this treatment. 

FPO aheckman11
Joined Jun 21, 2017

Mon, August 20, 2018 1:49 PM

Reply posted for aheckman11.

Many of us have. I was treated with Remicade for a year with no side effects, and it seemed to be effective for that year until my antibodies decided to eat it for breakfast. Some people have been using it for much longer with great results. Because you're here, I'm going to make a reasonable assumption that you've used prednisone before. Believe me, for me, and for most, Remicade is absolutely nothing compared to prednisone for side effects. The worst part is just getting your vein pricked every few weeks. For some people, in rare situations they may have a reaction to the drug, but for the first infusion or two, you'll get a good dose of IV Benadryl to be ready for something like this, and the admistrator of the drug will be very closely monitoring you with all kinds of emergency backup ready to go. It doesn't get much safer than that.

But don't take my word for it. Anecdoes are not very informative. Just do a google search for the clinical data on Remicade, it's efficacy, risks, and side effects. Look at the percentages and decide for yourself. And don't forget to compare that to something else you already know, like prednisone.

FPO kumputer
Joined Jul 19, 2013

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