I have posted my success storey on a few replys but I want to get the word out of a new treatment called "Remicade". It is actually good for many types of Arthritis but my experience deals with psoriatic arthritis. (PA)
I have had arthritis in all my major joints for 8 years and have an elbow that doesn't straighten due to PA. I had been on metho and vioxx for the past two years which worked fairly well. My doctor discussed a new option called "Remicade", it is a relatively new drug and can only be given by at the hospital via IV line into your arm.
There was little to no side effects, except I was quite tired from sitting for 4hrs and the same night I skipped my daily drugs. The next morning I woke pain free, I could actually walk to the shower without pain. WOW. The 2nd infusion was 2 weeks later, i never took vioxx again and I had no pain the whole time. The 3rd treatment is 1 month after the 2nd and that is where I stand as of now, I go back in on June 25, 2001.
(STILL PAIN FREE AND NOT STIFF). I will need to be infused every 2 months until it is available from the pharmacy. I believe it also helping the psorisis although I have always had a very mild case.
Note: i am still on 4 metho- pills a week but will be slowly discontinuing them over the next few months (hopefully)
**** Remicade is super expensive 20 - 30k/year but I am subsidised 100% Canada.
I hope this helps and if you have questions I will try to answer.
Good Luck - StiffJim

I've been on Methotrexate for almost a year now. It helps the pain in my heel, but I have fingers that are still painful and swollen. My doctor says the only viable recourse now is Remicade. Do you know if there are plans to offer this anytime soon in pill form? I've been told that I can only schedule the IVs during weekday business hours, and the process takes 2 to 2.5 hours. This is extremely inconvientient in my present situation, so I'm wondering if the administration of Remicade will get easier anytime soon.

Reply: As far as I know it will be quite a while before it is available at the pharmacy. The process actually takes 4hrs by the time you are cleared and they also give you Benadryl and Tylenol 3 so you may be groggy. (It dosen't have a big effect on me)
The time spent isn't all that bad after the 3rd treatment its half a day every 2 months and I take my Laptop in so I can continue to work.
It has made all the difference for me, so if you can swing it, definitely go for it!
Good luck, Jim

I took remicade and nearly died! I had 102 for 10 days, welts everywhere, couldn't swallow, no energy, very, very ill. Remicade is made from a mouse derivative, and one can be highly allergic to this ingredient as I was. You are so lucky that it worked for you. One infusion treatment can last 8 weeks w/o any additional meds. Lucky, lucky. I've tried it all, except now the last med. is enbrel and I will try that today with the help of an RN to learn to give mysself an injection. I'm afraid, but I have to try.

Sorry to here about your Remicade luck, it still is a miracle drug for me. I can last 8 weeks between infusions and I feel 100%, the bonus is that sporisis is also gone. I hope the new drug works for you.

StiffJim

Don't really know anything about Remicade, but I found this warning about Remicade and TB and thought I'd post the link for you:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_3283.html

[This message has been edited by jane2 (edited 08-26-2001).]

Thanks for the link, I have not heard those concerns before. I will be contacting my Doctor to find out more informaton and I will watch for symptoms.

Thanks again,

StiffJim