Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group had my first Remicade infusion yesterday...

and, I don't feel any different. I've heard that you can feel better right away, but am I not giving it enough time? I feel somewhat discouraged...

Hi Renee,
Don't get discouraged. Some folks do find relief right away, while others may take a few days or even might take an infusion or two before they feel the effects.

The main thing is to hang in there, and give it time to take ahold and do its thing.

Thanks, Chris...

Hello Renee,

From reading many posts here I recall some taking some time to feel better. So give it a little time.

Tim

Hi Renee, try not to be discouraged. Not everyone feels the effects immediately. You'll be having another in 2 weeks, and another 4 weeks after that. Once these 'booster' infusions are done, you should feel something. Many people find that the effect increases over a period of months.

Hang in there.

Hugs,

Hi Renee,

Definitely don't be discouraged yet! It took 4 days for me to notice a change and I think that was really on the quick side compared to many. If you don't start to notice a positive response after your next 3-4 infusions, then speak with your doctor.

I really hope that it will work as well for you as it has for me! Please let us know how you're feeling as the weeks pass.
Good luck!
mig

Thanks everyone.. as always. I have to try and not be so impatient!

Hi Renee, I'm on enbrel, but it took a good month for it to really do something for me. I know that remicade is much different in terms of dosing, especially the loading dosing, but I was scared enbrel wasn't going to work when I didn't experience immediate effects. Long story short, it was awesome once it finally started working. Just took awhile, and perhaps it might be similar for you.

Lots of hope yet! Hang in there. And keep us posted - I'll be curious to hear how it goes for you.
My fingers are crossed for you.

In my case I had (so nice to be able to say "had") both pain and flexibility issues. After my first Humira shot I noticed improvement in flexibility first. But, I was doing stretching exercises for sometime before the shot and I knew the limits. I felt flexibilty increase after 3 hours of the first shot. It took a couple of weeks (my second shot) for the lingering pain areas (mostly the curved spine area between the shoulder blades) to settle down. Shot #3 is tomorrow and I am so happy the way things are now. I so hope you find the same happiness...just give it some more time.