Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications 1st remicade infusion - feeling good.

Had my 1st remicade infusion today. Didn't realise how anxious and stressed I was until the dr kindly asked how I was feeling. To my horror I burst into tears. Thankfully Dr and staff were wonderful. Although lengthy, being the 1st, it was a good experience. Was constantly monitored, offered tea or coffee and given soup and a sandwich at lunchtime. Was at the hospital for almost 5 hours in total with preliminary checks, 2 hour infusion and 2 hours monitoring. Reading, chatting and watching the Open golf all helped pass the time. As some of you assured me, I did not need MTX. Hope my next visit in 2 weeks time is as good. Thank you for your support.

I love Remicade! I have been on it for about a year now. Although I have had to add sulfasalzine to the mix, I have noticed a HUGE difference since I started the infusion. I am on 500 mg (if I remember correctly) once a month. The infusion center I go to is also really great at monitoring me and getting me stuff to drink/eat. I do feel kinda "sicky" the rest of the day after getting the infusion. I get a little nauseas and fatigued but it's totally worth it in my book. Have you noticed anything like that? The first couple of months always take a little longer becuase it's new and what not. Now I am spending around 3-4 hours at the infusion center. Before it was around 6 hours. My viens are "small and deep" as the nurses say so it always takes 2-3 pokes to get a good infusion vien. I always cry. What can I say, I'm emotional lol. Hopefully it works for you and you can continue treatment. Best of luck!
- Angie

I just got my second one yesterday. Feeling OK today. I seem to be real tired and yucky feeling the day of and the day after so far.

So are you happy Padraig won? I went back and forth between wanting Wood, Padraig and Greg Norman to win. I'm hoping he wins again next year to make it three in a row!

I am suffering with AS since year 2000. I taken first dose of Remicade on 3rd Jul 08. I felt very good without pain as a normal man for two weeks but now I am facing a little pain again started. Since Remicade is so costly I cant afford it so frequent. Please share some other medications.

can anybody tell the cost of Remicade and
1. The dose of remicade.
2. How many days it works actually.
3. The side effects felt as personal experience.

Good luck with the Remicade. It sounds like quite an ordeal, but I believe the number of infusions should decrease as time goes on?
I'm about to switch from Enbrel to Humira (both with MTX, which I've been on for years). My husband does the (pre-mixed)injections for me, so it's a very quick procedure, thankfully.
Hope it helps you. Have you been on any other Anti TNF's already?

Take care.

Hugs,
Sue

I am so glad you are feeling better with it.

I hung in with it for a full year and just got sicker. One time I was there for 12 hours with them treating me for trouble breathing but silly me went back for the next treatment. I never was out of there in less than 6 hours and was sick the rest of the day and the next and I just went downhill with it.

I just had to try something though. I am so thankful for all of you that are getting relief from it.

Blessings.
Possi

I've had 4 remicade infusions so far and have not really noticed much of an improvement. I'm really glad it's working for some of you. I'm begining to think I'm one of the people it's not going to work for. My Rheumy warned me that it might not work.

I'm also don't feel well the day after the infusion. I have a headache, sore throat, low grade fever as well as light & sound sensitive.

I'm normally out of the office within 3 to 3 1/2 hours with my infusion and I'm set up to have it every 8 weeks.

Kim