Hello all. I had my first Remicade infusion last Wednesday. It went fine except for a little reaction with itchy face. Nurse stopped it for a short while, then continued and finished fine. The next morning, Thursday I woke up at 5 am with joint pain, muscle pain, weakness, headache, stomach, and just plain crummy. By Thursday evening I really felt bad. Friday I felt some better with less pain and not as weak, but still had headache and stomach felt bad, and very tired all day. Nurse told me I might have headache or sore throat next day, but was surprised by how bad I felt. Feeling better over the weekend, but still dull headache and more tired than usual. I have been told I will get used to medicine over time, and first three loading doses can be tough. Can't believe I have to go do it again in 10 days. I was wondering other peoples experieces with Remicade and how they felt after infusions? How long did it take not to bother your body as much. Any advice appreciated too. Thanks.
My first 3 loading doses and the 2 full doses I was very tired for a couple days after, with a weird off feeling for about 4 or 5 days. The nurses said it was pretty common, and I chalk it up to being the loading doses. I've been on remicade a year now and for the last 5 doses I didn't have any real issues with feeling tired or cruddy by the next day. Infusion day itself I'm really tired, but not like the first few doses.
I get my infusions on Fridays so I can recover on the weekend if need be, and don't work the day of so I will feel alright. The days I worked I was so wiped out it made the days after a lot worse.
Sounds fun. Yuck. I have such an aversion to being sick like you describe, it'll be a real dilemma for me to switch to remicade some day. It's a trade off, I guess.
The only "side effect" if you can call it that , from Remicade was at times it did absolutely nothing. Other times I get almost instant relief. Everyone is different and these drugs act differently on us. I am starting Cimzia this weekend as I have been on Remicade for 4 years and we think it has run its course.
Thank you all for sharing your experiences with Remicade. Oh look, a chicken, It is good to know that it gets better after the loading doses. I have my second loading dose is Wednesday, and kept my calendar clear Thurs, and Friday just in case I am feeling bad again. First one I had my grandchildren on Thursday and Friday, and of course because of snow there was no school. I think this made me feel worse because I could not rest. I'm hoping it really starts helping with pain. Good luck Erinsmum with your new med. Good thoughts it works well for you.
I refer to what you experienced as the "Remicade hangover." I'm 2 days post-infusion and still recovering (I hadn't had an infusion in 5 months). It does get better, but for me, I count on nausea and headache the day after, possibly the second day after as well.