Remicade and flare ups?

[SaraBeth11]

I just had my second Remicade treatment exactly one week ago. They started me out every two weeks and now it's every 4 weeks so I won't go back for another month. What I wanted to know is if anyone experiences occasional flare ups when on Remicade? And if so, the severity? After my first infusion, I felt like I was in complete remission. I started to gain weight, got color back, started eating more and was having no bathroom issues. After my second I felt fine up until now. I kind of feel like I'm slipping a little bit (having some bathroom issues) and I'm afraid and worried of going back to being sick all of the time and I'm afraid maybe the Remicade just isn't gonna work for me (I am a worry wart) so any words of advice or your experiences would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Clash]

It may take some time for the Remicade to be at complete therapeutic levels. If you see that you are still having symptoms once you have completed your loading doses and move out to the 8 week schedule then you may want to get your remicade levels tested. Some people burn through the remicade faster than others. I would notify your GI of any new symptoms you are experiencing.

My son had a 180 degree turnaround after the first dose and this lasted through the loading doses but once he moved out to the 8 week schedule he was unable to make it until the next infusion without symptoms starting up. We upped the dose, shortened the schedule to 6 weeks and eventually added methotrexate.

this link is a good read about Remicade and response:

One third of patients will not respond to anti-tnf therapy.

- If you don't respond to a biologic, you are a "Primary nonresponder".

- If you don't appear to be responding to a biologic, it's important that your physician make sure it's not due to something else such as, strictures, fistulae, abscesses, c.diff, small intestine bacterial overgrown (SIBO), CMV, bile salt diarrhea, etc.

- You should have your full induction dosing before being termed a primary nonresponder.

- For Remicade, some suggest the full induction dose then, at the 6 week dose, double the dose before determining non-response.

source

Here is another good thread:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=42140

Good luck.

 

[rygon]

I found it took me 4-6 infusions to feel better, from what I have read this is the norm and you shouldnt really expect any until after this time period. 8 weekly infusions lasted a while although I never felt perfect. They changed to rate to 6 weekly and now I feel great Worst I feel now is when I get bloated. No more bleeding, mucus or pain