Marilyn / re: Remicade

[Guest guest]

Hi Marilyn,

I can't say whether the drug has worked the first couple doses and started

backsliding on me. Though I am going through a flare now, I am sure it is due

to my dropping the Arava and going back on the MTX, bcs that is when my flare

started. The MTX didn't work all so great for me the first 15 years or so I

was on it. Since I have only had 4 doses, I don't have a whole lot of

experience with it, only since my first dose, March 7. The drug was approved

in August 1998 for Crohn's disease, so there is quite a bit of info on it. In

fact, there is more info on Remicade than Enbrel, even though Enbrel has been

used longer for RA. If you look at the archives of the RA list, you will find

that we did a lot of talking about the Remicade (February). a also posted

a lot of sites you can go check out and a lot of articles. Just type in

keyword Remicade to find those messages in the archives.

Also, with any drug, you can't expect it to make the disease disappear

completely. I have had RA for 18 years, since I was diagnosed at 13 with JRA.

With my experience, I never expect any drug to make all symptoms completely

disappear. That is why, even though I am in a flare, I am feeling great. To

have the majority of the pain and swelling gone is miracle enough for me.

BUT, who knows, maybe I am backsliding and the flare I am in isn't due to the

drop of Arava and going back on the MTX. Time will tell. If that is the case,

I still have Enbrel to look forward to and I have heard a lot of good about

that one! So, even if I am going down hill with the Remicade, I am not upset

or worried. Bcs I do feel good. I have more energy than I normally do and

feel basically good.

With my experience I have learned not to expect the disease to disappear. I

will always have this disease, whether I go into remission or not. The damage

is done, and I have accepted that. So if the Remicade can give me a day or

week or month with less pain than I am used to, I am going to take it and

rejoice in it. =)

It's just like taking an aspirin for a headache. It may take most of the

headache away, but you may still have a bit of an ache, not as bad, but

better than how it was.

Smiles

~Sue

> Dear Sue,

> Thanks for posting back to me, and I'm glad you've benefited so much

> from the drug. I understand what you mean, but what happened with my

> mom is that the first two doses were amazing, and she started

> backsliding since the third one- her knee has really flared (I think

> she needs it injected again) and she's really hobbling. So, what I

> was trying to gather- have you or anyone else seen mixed benefits from

> remicade, where it generally works but may not work for a dose or

> two. The med is so new, that there seems to be very little info. on the

> real efficacy. As for MTX, her MD was trying to avoid the side effects,

and since

> her flareup was only during the past year, thought this route was better

> first. Thanks for any info. you have to share. > Marilyn