Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Enbrel didint work. Day 2 on remicade...

Hi,
im joana, 26 years old, and i have AS.
I've tried enbrel for 3 months but it didnt work for me. Now i've started on remicade and i would like to know when did you started to feel better, and if it was gradually or all at once.
Im tired of the sciatica, cervicobrachialgy and pain on the spine and sacroiliac. Im scared that nohing will work for me...
your answers can help me a lot.
Thank you.
best wishes
joana.

joana,
hi, I've been on Remicade since 2002, pain relief for me began about 4 to 5 weeks after the 1st dose. Are your 1st 3 doses spaced at 2 week intervals? After the 1st 3 doses then they shold be 6 to 10 weeks apart.
Sorry you have this AS mess,hope you feel relief soon.
Hugs, Russell

I started remicade last July. I was told I could expect to see results after the first 3 infusions but in fact I felt a fantastic improvement within days of my first infusion. My life has been transformed by remicade. I do hope it is the same for you.

Hi,
my first 3 doses are going to be done with 2 weeks appart just like you did.
i hope ill have similar good effects like you had.
thanks for your reply.
best wishes
joana

Hello there,

I am about to start to start my regular infusions, so for me that means I've had three so far (week 0,2,6 and soon it will be 8 weeks since the last one). I've also been through Enbrel and Humira and was on both of those for six months or so with no real significant results. The Remicade hasn't done anything for me either at this point and my rheumy and I are starting to consider other options...we'll carry on with the Remicade and hope for the best but it isn't looking good.

In my case, they will start by increasing the dosage and then the frequency (ie down to six weeks) so there is still some hope.

The point I am trying to make is that some people take longer to respond to these things than others. For some, they can feel relief within a few hours, for others it might take a few months...or not at all?

Give it as much time as you can, I believe the benefits would be worth the wait...that is what I'm telling myself right now anyway.

Chris

Chris - what are your other choices? If this doesn't work?

((Joann)) I wish you the very best. Unfortunately it did not work for me but I love reading all of the success stories here and I expect to be reading yours soon.

Hugs.
Possi

Hi possi.
Nice smiley sun you sent me:)
You said remicade didnt work for, so what did?

Hi,

Just had dose 1 with a horrible 24 hours after then 4 days of no inflammation for the first time in years. After day 4 it was back.

This friday is dose 2, looking forward to it. I realize it has to apparently saturate your system so I am still optimistic.

Trying hard not to think of what happens if it doesn't work.

Lisa

I haven't tolerated any of the Biologics or TNF's. I am just on a low dose of Prednisone and pain meds. I have been on high doses of Pred in the past. I was on Imuran for many years and stopped it for the Remicade. Didn't do well with it and tried Humira. Had a terrible reaction so after getting through that, we went back to the Imuran and I had a bad reaction so t he dr. said no more drugs; just quality of life.

I wish you the very best. It does help so many people. I think my joints are just too far gone. I have been fighting this stuff for 50+ years with a diagnosis. No telling how long without a diagnosis.

I snap and pop every time I move. OK, new name for me. Just call me Rice Crispy. )

The x-rays showed my spine just pulling apart bending different directions. The Revert System helps keep it in place but the Spine Specialist told me there is no fixing my back.

Hugs and Blessings. You will do well.

Possi