Reviewer: 55-64 on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)

Comment:
I am 57 and I have had RA for three years.I had to stop work, cant sleep and I was having flare ups every other day. I couldn't bath or brush my teeth. I was taking Methotrexate,it helps in the beginning, but after awhile, it was no help. I was crying like a baby. Pain all over my body.My doctor was able to convince me to try it, thank God I listened.I was scared of the side effects Though I s ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I am 57 and I have had RA for three years.I had to stop work, cant sleep and I was having flare ups every other day. I couldn't bath or brush my teeth. I was taking Methotrexate,it helps in the beginning, but after awhile, it was no help. I was crying like a baby. Pain all over my body.My doctor was able to convince me to try it, thank God I listened.I was scared of the side effects Though I still have pain, but not like before. I have infusion every 6 weeks, methotrexate once a week. I am also taking various vitamins including folic acid, fresh turmeric and capsule , ginger, aloe Vera, fresh lime juice and exercise moderately.I have to fight this.
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Reviewer: 55-64 Male on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)

Comment:
Developed RA in 1993 and for a some years progressed through various simple over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen and early prescription drugs like Cortisone tablets. Eventually in the late 90s I was on Methotrexate (MTX) once a week with accompanying folic acid tablets. But in the early 2000s the MTX's effectiveness couldn't keep up with the overall worsening of my RA, so my rheumatologis ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Developed RA in 1993 and for a some years progressed through various simple over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen and early prescription drugs like Cortisone tablets. Eventually in the late 90s I was on Methotrexate (MTX) once a week with accompanying folic acid tablets. But in the early 2000s the MTX's effectiveness couldn't keep up with the overall worsening of my RA, so my rheumatologist put me on Remicade (with continued weekly MTX). Wow! The difference after my first infusion was like night and day. Additionally, my rheumatologist was one of the early testing physicians in Germany for Remicade, and he as many other rheumatologists here, determined that routine infusions should be administered when a patient's RA symptoms tell you so, and not simply the typically prescribed every 4 to 6 weeks. He's had just a few patients who've needed an infusion only once or twice a year, some who've needed one every 3 to 4 months, some, others every 2 to 3 months, and only some who require and infusion 4 to 6 weeks. The practice is not to excessively flood the body and only infuse when needed. I typically need an infusion every 3 to 4 months. Due to scheduling and other responsibilities I've gone 6 months and paid with pain that is quickly relieved with a few hours of intravenous Remicade. I have also been a Type 1 diabetic since 1974, and the mix of auto-immune deficiencies like diabetes and RA do not make good company in an aging person. But after over 15 years on Remicade, it is still my savior that keeps me productive at my job. My new rheumatologist would like me to switch to the newer oral RA drugs, and I'm highly skeptical. I might try it, maybe not. But like the saying goes: If it's not broken, don't fix it.
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Reviewer: Dragonlady, 65-74 on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Patient)

Comment:
Diagnosed with RA 9 years ago, the same month I retired! Started out in a wheelchair, started on methotrexate, no relief. Moved on to Remicade 4 vials every 6 wks. I could walk, brush my teeth, take a shower, etc. I could feel it working as it flowed through my system. It has been 8 yrs now and I'm at 6 vials every 5 weeks but the effects end now at about 7-10 days after infusion! Had blood ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Diagnosed with RA 9 years ago, the same month I retired! Started out in a wheelchair, started on methotrexate, no relief. Moved on to Remicade 4 vials every 6 wks. I could walk, brush my teeth, take a shower, etc. I could feel it working as it flowed through my system. It has been 8 yrs now and I'm at 6 vials every 5 weeks but the effects end now at about 7-10 days after infusion! Had blood work done to determine if I have antibodies to Remicade. Afraid I may have to switch to heaven knows what. Have had a bad flare last month, hands, feet, knees, shoulders, wrists have been miserable. I pray for good results and pain relief for all RA patients!
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Reviewer: pastagirl, 75 or over on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)

Comment:
I was diagnosed with RA 10 yrs ago. But I was in denial for several years before that. I went to USC in Irvine for a second opinion and met Dr. Andrews, the kindest and most caring doctor I have ever met. He prescribed 300mg. of Remicade to be given every 8 weeks. He also directed that a small dose of Benadryl be administered before the infusion. Very important.....so that you do not have a reacti ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I was diagnosed with RA 10 yrs ago. But I was in denial for several years before that. I went to USC in Irvine for a second opinion and met Dr. Andrews, the kindest and most caring doctor I have ever met. He prescribed 300mg. of Remicade to be given every 8 weeks. He also directed that a small dose of Benadryl be administered before the infusion. Very important.....so that you do not have a reaction! Remicade worked like magic for 10 years. Unfortunately it isn't working as well now. I just spent the day researching alternative meds. and it is frightening to see all the bad reactions to other drugs. One thing I noticed on reviews of Remicade is that most people that had reactions likely weren't given something like Benadryl or Claritin before infusion. My opinion, but I think it may have helped me to not have a reaction......my opinion. So now I have to make the decision on which med I should go for. Oddly, my new doctor (Dr. Andrews went to Australia to practice with his son) is leaving it up to me......like I should know how to treat myself!
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Reviewer: Jllo97, 35-44 Female (Patient)

Comment:
Been using this for a year and a half for RA. I have failed 5 other biological and Rem has worked very well for me. I’m certainly not perfect, but I can go about my daily activities again, unlike the 5 years prior to this treatment. Everyone’s body reacts differently to any med, but this one has been a miracle for me. Since it’s too expensive to get in the office, my rheum has arranged an order fo ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Been using this for a year and a half for RA. I have failed 5 other biological and Rem has worked very well for me. I’m certainly not perfect, but I can go about my daily activities again, unlike the 5 years prior to this treatment. Everyone’s body reacts differently to any med, but this one has been a miracle for me. Since it’s too expensive to get in the office, my rheum has arranged an order for a nurse to administer it in Home.
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