Remicade side effects

[KristaG]

Hi Everyone My husband is getting remidade for crohn's and is having night sweats nearly every night. Is there anyone out there who has experienced this on remicade and if so were you switched to another medication? Anything help? My poor husband can't get a good night's sleep (and neither can I) lol. He is also snoring which he never did before….

 

[24601]

I think it's important to bring this to the attention of your husband's GI asap as night sweats can be caused by an infection. There are other causes for night sweats - some people get them wth a flare - but he certainly needs it checked out.

 

[KristaG]

Thanks for your reply I know lymphoma and tuberculosis are amongst the most concerning when on these medications and experiencing night sweats. He did mention them to his GI who wasn't that concerned, as he feels he is doing so well on the remi that he doesn't want him to change meds right now. I guess I was looking for reassurance or feedback about possibly changing meds and whether anyone here had any experience with the switch specifically off of remicade to another biologic like humira? I feel if we pushed the issue with his GI he might concede….

 

[24601]

Has your husband had any scans recently that would rule out an infection caused by Crohn's like an abscess? Because any infection would likely start to get a lot worse on Remicade and so you might only be noticing symptoms now.

Otherwise I don't really know... it's not something I've heard of with Remicade but people with Crohn's do experience night sweats with a flare...however you said he's doing well on Remicade. Is that based on reduction in symptoms and/or inflammatory markers or scans?

I do know a completely healthy person who's had night sweats without a cause ever being found so I suppose the most important thing is to investigate the possible causes - infection, abscess, Crohn's flare and as you said it can be a sign of certain cancers - and if it's none of those things just monitor his health overall. Any other signs that something is wrong would be reason to go back and talk to the doctors again.

When I was coping with night sweats (I was discharged from hospital after surgery with an abscess) I would sleep on a towel with another towel over me and then change them when I woke up in the night. At least that stopped me from shivering with cold and needing to change the sheets.

Hope all goes well.

 

[KristaG]

He had an ultrasound to recheck his liver for an unrelated issue, and he feels really good, no fevers, no flare, etc. Labs are as good as they can be on an immunosuppressant, which is why his GI wants him to stay on it and not "rock the boat" but he is up 3-4 times a night soaking wet and is sleep deprived. He does sleep on a towel but hasn't been using one on top of him. I will suggest that. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[shamrock15]

How long has he been on remicade? If he has only just started, it is very possible that he is flaring due to crohn's and remicade hasn't yet been able to help it out. Other than that, the advice that 24601 gives about the towels is good. It is the approach I used when I had night sweats. Fingers crossed that they disappear - they aren't fun.

 

[KristaG]

Thank you He's been on it for about a year. No flares since he started. It's reassuring that your's went away!! Thanks, again.