One week out from 3rd Infusion. Panicking about lack of results.

[s3king93]

Hey everyone,

I've been on Remicade now for about 7 weeks. Initial symptoms were pure diarrhea with blood at least 4 times per day. Since then I've had my second infusion (three weeks ago to the day) and although I sometimes feel like I'm seeing improvements I've yet to see any clear or major breakthroughs.

Last week I saw a few good days with some hardened stool mixed in with the diarrhea a number of times. Although the last three days have been back to normal (4-6 times per day with pure diarrhea and blood) and have put a serious damper on my mood.

It's been a long six months and I'll be honest at 20 years old its starting to wear me out a bit. I was hoping to see major results from the Remicade treatment and I guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.

Has anybody since major results after 8 weeks? Should I start preparing myself for the worst case scenario? I have my 3rd treatment next week and I'm almost dreading it at this point as I feel like its not going to help me.


If anyone has some success stories of remicade working after a 3rd treatment helping to induce remission I would really appreciate it. I'm dearly in need of some motivation today.


Thanks everyone.

 

[Clash]

I'm sorry you are still having symptoms. It can take several infusions before Remicade really gets to working. Since you haven't finished the loading doses I wouldn't give up just yet. I would keep the GI updated on symptoms in case he wants to run some tests if things don't continue to improve. Also, even after loading doses the schedule may need some tweaking or your doses may need to be upped to get full efficacy.

I do hope you start to feel better soon.

 

[723crossroads]

Hope it works out for you but, if not, tell your GI and soon. he can switch you over to something better for you!

 

[my little penguin]

DS was one of those . It took three doses plus few days and he was good as golden.
We started to get discouraged like you but sure enough a few days after his third dose the switch flipped and he was good .
Good luck

 

[s3king93]

I won't lose faith then!


Thanks for the support guys, you'll be hearing more from me and I'll let you all know how I got on.


Good luck to you all.

 

[Jon R]

S3king,

Definitely don't get discouraged. I am on a different but similiar biologic for something else. It too took quite a while to kick in. Not only does it modify your immune system, but you also have to heal the damage before the symptoms subside. You'll get there!

 

[purdueCrohns]

It can take 5 more treatments to respond

 

[ryansbronco]

it was lucky number four for me....with a hospital stay in between

 

[s3king93]

it was lucky number four for me....with a hospital stay in between

Hey, thanks for the reply. How are you now? Are you free of symptoms? For how long?

 

[ryansbronco]

It's been about a year since my last er stay. Symptoms are manageable. Just stay on schedule with infusions and you'll be fine