Remicade and colds/flu

[shamrock15]

Did a quick search and didn't find answers, so here goes...

Three infusions ago my does was put from 700 to 800 mg. Wasn't given the reason why (by all accounts my crohn's seemed to be in good shape and I certainly had not asked for an increase - did far more cycling than I ever have this summer) and I am hoping to actually hear from my doctor tomorrow on that. The sequence of the increase goes like this: orders increased my dose at the end of July, had my next GI appointment about a month later and the next infusion about a week after that. No mention of the increase at my appointment so I was surprised when it showed up. I assumed that it was due to body mass. Starting about 3 weeks after that infusion, I have run into a series of minor throat infections, gum infections, good old pimples again (I am 47 years old). Even ended up with my first laryngitis in my life. In the previous 8 years with remicade I haven't had this much of a constant issue. My general vitals when getting checked haven't been out of line, and I have been able to continue infusions.

I think my remicade dose may now be a touch too high and am getting the infections because of it. Have any of you out in Crohn's land had a similar experience? If so, how was it handled?

Thanks everyone!

 

[valleysangel92]

Remicade doses are dependent on weight, so if your weight is higher than before your dose will be increased, similarly, if your weight decreases, your dose will be lowered. Sometimes if they notice signs of inflammation in the blood tests etc they may order a higher dose to counteract this but usually they would discuss this with you.

I was not on it very long as I had an allergic reaction, but when I was I didn't notice any unusual infections but everyone is different. It may be that it is just a coincidence, it is the time of year for coughs and colds etc, and sometimes we just get hit with them one after another.

I'd definitely ask your doctor about the increase in dose and let them know you've had some issues with viruses /infections, but it doesn't necessarily mean you need to have a lower dose.