Antibodies

[Hopefullycrohnsisgood]

Hi. I am a 14 year old boy with crohns disease. I was doing great with remicade, but recently, the remicade started lasting for a shorter amount of time. I have been taking remicade since I was diagnosed which was two years ago. In september, I got a blood test, and it tested positive for anibodies, the antibody level was 17. Even though, I had antibodies I still went for remicade and was fine. The dose he gave me was double what I was taking before. I was mover from 5 to 10. i thing it is milogram/kilogram. even after he increased the dose, it still only lasted a month. In october, I went for a second opinion, and my doctor got made, and refused my care. He gave me my last remicade, and then said we are not allowed back. He ended up not going by that statement, and took me in, I have had diarrhea for two weeks. I has been 6 weeks since last remicade. I am going for remicade on monday, and I am really scared that the antibodies might be higher then 17. Can antibodies increase? also, will these antibodies ever go away? i am so scared I will go through shock when I get it because I might have more then 17 anti bodies.

 

[Clash]

Welcome to the forum, I'm sorry to hear of all you are going through right now. I'm not entirely sure what the cut-off for use of Remicade after development of antibodies is shown. Once your body develops antibodies they are always there it is a common reason patients are moved to Humira or Cimzia(these are biologics as well).

I'm going to tag My Little Penguin as she may have more information regarding antibodies and/or allergic responses.

Any doctor should welcome a second opinion and it should not lead to them dropping you. I'm truly sorry you had to go through that.

 

[my little penguin]

Sorry you went through that.

most docs increase the dosage when it doesn't seem to be lasting as long.
the highest dose and frequency is 10mg/kg and every 4 weeks.

Having antibodies to remicade does NOT mean you will have a reaction
NOT having antibodies does not mean you won't have a reaction.
they haven't figured out who will react just yet.

Remicade is still considered a "new" drug in that there have been studies and stuff but a lot more work has to be done to figure out whether you will always have antibodies or not.

my son did have two allergic reactions to remicade but the doctors were there and it was very mild both times . So mild he was talking to the nurses laughing both times. He did NOT have any antibodies in his blood BTW . He is now on humira and does not have any issues.


good luck

 

[Hopefullycrohnsisgood]

omg, thank you so much. I feel so much better. also, the doctor said I am a good canidate for surgery. I wanted to know, If I got surgery, would I be in a lot of pain after it, or will I not know I got it after the surgery. Also, I wanted to know about Humira. Why is everyone saying it hurts so much. If I ever did Humira, what would make it hurt so much. I take growth hormone every day and that doesnt hurt.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I definitely agree with clash that doctors should not be offended by you seeking a second opinion. The fact that your doctor acted that way shows lack of confidence in his own judgements and is very unprofessional in my opinion.

I'm not sure if the growth hormones you take are oral or injectable but Humira is supplied as a pen or syringe. Some people have a preference but it's not really painful, it's just more of a sting and 2 second ouch really.