Remicade

I have not been on Remicade, but a host of other biologics. I am glad my rheumy did not suggest Remicade, not because I was afraid of the medication side effects, but because I did not want to have to come in and take the time and effort for IV infusions when there were options I could self administer. I have been on biologics for a decade and have no side effects so far.

What are your fears? In my mind, the risks of not using available treatments were higher than the risks of the medication. I guess it all depends on what you are willing to live with.

Jan

Thanks for the information Jan.  I guess I am worried about possible side effects like the immune system being surpressed.  My cousin has been on Remicade for years and got pneumonia this past year and almost died.  Her doctors believe the Remicade caused this.  I am just so gun shy of everything...still having trouble adjusting to the new normal.

OK, that is a valid concern. Last year I landed in the hospital with sepsis, probably from a virus. I have had bacterial infections. My biologic did not cause these things, but they did make me more susceptible. I make sure to get my flu shot and stay up to date on vaccines. I wash my hands a lot. In other words, I deal with it by trying to be proactive. 

If I did not have my biologic I would not be able to travel, hike, camp, swim, and do so many things that I love. I would rather risk getting sick from a compromised immune system, than not be able to live a full life. So for me, it is a fair trade off. For you, it may not be acceptable.

Jan

I was on Remicade for a while when I had uc. I never had any ill effects from it. Never got sick the whole time I was on it. It stopped working and that's when I stopped it and had surgery. My mom has been on Remicade for 10 years now to treat her RA and it's been a God  send for her. She's not had any issues at all. She started it when she was 73 and now she's 83 and her bloodwork is always perfect. 

I am currently on ramicade. It is an expensive drug but if it works it works! I am a nursing student and been in the ER and a nursing home and I didn't get sick once even though I was exposed to ill patients. There is also a pneumonia vaccine you can get I believe it is every three years and your annual flu shot. It does make you more susceptible to any infection, but you gotta see if that out ways the benefit the drug does for you.  

Thanks for the information everyone.  It makes me feel better to know that you have not had any major problems with Remicade.  Ready to give it a try.