My doctor is wanting to try Remicade, and I'm uncertain. Can anyone give my some insight?

[Mary1973]

[Hidden]

No Sorry I can't help But my doctor is doing the same with me x

[PB1950]

Hi this is an extract from Arthritis research quote " Infliximab (brand name Remicade) is a type of drug known as anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor). In people with rheumatoid arthritis and some other inflammatory diseases a protein called TNF is overproduced in the body, causing inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and tissue. Anti-TNF drugs block the action of TNF and so can reduce this inflammation.

Why is infliximab prescribed?

Infliximab is available for people with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Occasionally it is used in severe ankylosing spondylitis.

Infliximab will only be prescribed if your arthritis is active. If you have rheumatoid arthritis it will only be used if you have already tried methotrexate and another disease-modifying anti-inflammatory drug (DMARD) such as sulfasalazine or gold injections,or cannot use these".

I am starting on this drug next week I have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis have been on Mtx, Celocxib, and Enbrel for the last 3 years and the Enbrel seems to have stopped working. I have a good friend that has been on Remicade for the last 2 years and is pain free and returned to work, his only side effect was Hives.I hope this helps

I shall blog later as to what the results are.

[Maskat2324]

My daughter was put on in in August. It has made the world of difference with her. We begged the Dr's to have tried this long before now but it has done so much for her in just a few months time. Before she spent 90% of the time a wheelchair and when it was really wet and cold she stayed in the bed. She still has pain but as she says, "I can tolerate it now, where as before it was breath taking.... Hope this helps....Before Remicade she was on Plaquinel, Diclofinace, Ranatidine, Enbrel, MTX, and now Remicade, we have since stopped Enbrel, and trying to get off the MTX.

[SarahKate-NRAS]

Hello Mary1973

This is the link to the Arthritis Research UK information page for Remicade (infliximab), where PB1950's quote above has been taken from:

arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

It is quite thourough, and a trusted source of information on this drug. I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards

Sarah Kate

NRAS Helpline

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

Sometimes talking to someone else who has been on this treatment can be helpful. NRAS have trained telephone support volunteers that can call you at a mutually convenient time to discuss any aspect of living with RA including their own experience of particular therapies. If you would like to arrange a call please call 0845 458 3969 to speak to the volunteer team who will book in the call for you.