Hey there folks. My mom has been a big help in my dealing with RA. She has been hearing about this drug called Remicaid (sp??) and says folks have been telling her it seems like a miracle it works so good. Anyone on it out there? Anyone have any thoughts on it? Anyone tried it?

Remicade (infliximab) is a "TNF inhibitor" used in treating rheumatoid arthritis when DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) have failed.
It is given by a monthly infusion. Two others are Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab) which are given in bi-weekly injections.
All three are often used in combination with DMARDs. In clinical trials there were some extremely good results for some.
And all three are immunosuppressants requiring vigilance concerning serious opportunistic infections. So your doctor should do a prescreening and fully inform you of the risks involved. Treatment runs at least $1,000 a month with each but they are approved by insurance carriers.
A web search for the term "TNF inhibitor" would be educational.

Whoa those are expensive! What do you mean by opportunistic infections? My doctor suggested that if by the 9th week of treatment I am not seeing results to maybe consider either Remicaid or the others you mentioned. But that is still 3 weeks away so I put it aside for the time being hoping the Methotrexate would kick in.

I have no medical training, just read up a lot on the meds and tried one. My understanding is that 'opportunistic infections' are those that your immune system normally fends off or keeps under control but can potentially get out of control with any suppression of the immune system. I'd suggest checking out the term online, in preperation for covering the subject with your doc. You could ask for the package inserts/patient info for the medication in advance.

I have been on Plaquenile for 8 years, Sulfasalazine for 7 nad methotrexate for 6. Were all working good until past 2 months now everything hurts. X-rays show RA is worsening. So I started my 1st Remicade today. So far no side effects. I am hopeful. I'd love to have something that doesn;t make me gain weight. I also have underactive thyroid so I'm cursed with RA & thyroid & losing weight is hard.

Tricia,

Does Plaquenile cause you to gain weight? I am being weened off of Prednisone and also just started Plaquenile this past week. I have been gaining weight with the Predisone which I hate. I am ALWAYS hungry since going on it,(Prednisone) so I will be glad to get off. I was hoping Plaquenile would not efect me this way. I also have Hypothyroid, RA and also I am being tested for Lupus.

ShirleyCurley

Here's the site that will tell you about Remicade.

http://www.centocor.com/biomedicines/products.jsp

I had 3 Remicade infusions before I realized that my doctor wasn't using the specialty pharmacy like he was supposed to and I couldn't afford to do it his way. Those 3 infusions worked a miracle for me.! 6 days after the first one, i could not only make a fist first thing in the morning, it didn't hurt to do it. :bouncing: The effects aren't permanent, though. You have to keep up with the infusions to keep up the good results. I have exhausted every avenue trying to find help to pay for my co-pay and it looks like I will not be able to continue. I'm really sad about it, because it was miraculous for me.

Shirley, the plaquenil should not make you gain weight. It might make you feel sick, though. Peppermint tea will help with that. :-)

Remicade worked GREAT for me for almost 3 years... NO side effects. But a change of insurance bumped my $15 co-pay to over $700 per treatment (OUCH!!) However the new insurance allows the self injects (Enbrel and Humara) at $40.00 for 3 months worth!! (obviously they prefer prescriptions over office procedures!) It is only 2 injections into it, but so far the only side effect of the Enbrel is a pretty bad headache (I hear it gets better soon?!?!) but the shots are not bad at all. So if your ins. won't allow Remicade, try one of the others. Also, I called the Remicade # (ask your dr. they have a patient help-line, or try their web-site) and they do have a financial help service if you earn under a certain %... Good luck!!

-Michelle

Doctor just told me he plans to put me on Remicade. Do the infusions have to be done in the hospital?

My infustions are done in his office, he has a few infustion suites, it takes about 2 hours and there are RNs that oversee this.