I'm scheduled for my next infusion (third) in about a week. For the past few days it feels as though my symptoms are starting to return. I would assume that this is typical until I have had a few full dose infusions?
YES!!! I'm thinking I may need infusions closer together because last time I was on Remi (I went off for a few months due to medical issues), I'd start going downhill six weeks in and had it every eight weeks.
I take Remicade every month (q 4 weeks) and let me tell you in the last week, the 2 or 3 day into that week it hits me like a ton of bricks. I also take avara daily. Before I started that I would need the drug every two to three weeks; which they will not do. I am so sore this weekend it is not funny. Aching, throbbing, stabbing pain anywhere that I have the PsA in. I am also itchy like crazy. Monday I am due my infusion. So looking forward to the drug back in my system.
When I was on Remicade I was having symptoms return at 7 weeks after an infusion, so Rheumy at the time backed my dosing up to 6 weeks apart and that worked well for me.
I have had three infusions, starting at the lowest level dose. After being "bare" (no drug therapies over the summer), I felt an immediate positive response to the first infusion, something I'm told is a bit rare. After third infusion, symptoms came back, alas, within 2 weeks, which is unnerving (clearly, everyone seems to have different experiences). I'm not scheduled for my next infusion until early January, and am thinking about moving that up. Some work around the house has added previously not included lower back pain to equation (elbows, wrist, ankle, knees) and it isn't waning after a week...so long winded answer to your question: apparently yes.
The same thing has happened to me as well, on the third infusion too! I actually have infusions ever 6 weeks now instead of 8. I live in St. Louis and have had some weird weather lately that has made my joints confused but I get my next infusion in 3 weeks and I’m sure by Christmas I will feel that I need it. I hope you get more relief and it continues to work for you.
What is the difference between taking Remicade.. which I know is an infusion.. vs Enbrel... is Remicade ... stronger?
They are just different biologics. Some work for some people, others work for other people. I was on Humiria, Enbrel and Symponi. Each for about a year. They stop working or more precisely I build immunity to each after about a year. I just started Remicade last Friday. Hopefully it will work a little longer :-)
Ty for the info...
Just got back from my Rheumy appt. My next infusion is 7 weeks out. I told him that I was getting sore at three weeks before the final loading dose. He is going to up the next one to 600mg (it was at 500mg). I'm supposed to call in 4 weeks and if I need another infusion he will move up the date. He told me that he is going to play with the dosage/schedule until things even out.
I hope so, Michael. It seems this experience of relatively short-term efficacy of these drugs is a more common experience in an overall experience that is hardly common or predictable, geesh. I try not to get disheartened by this prospect, especially after seeing a post like this -- biologic #4. I suppose there will be other options on the horizon, should each be limited....again realizing there may be some others that find longer term relief and don't to switch around. Anyway, thanks for the input.
michael in vermont said:
They are just different biologics. Some work for some people, others work for other people. I was on Humiria, Enbrel and Symponi. Each for about a year. They stop working or more precisely I build immunity to each after about a year. I just started Remicade last Friday. Hopefully it will work a little longer :-)