I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 6 years and for the last 2.5 years have been taking Remicade.

In September of '09, I developed motor nerve neuropathy with blocks in my lower legs. This coincided with an increase in my Remicade dose. It took me 9 months to learn how to walk without a cane, and during that time my Remicade dose was reduced.

It was increased again this year in February, and April I started showing symptoms again, with weakness in my calves, cramping, pain, and difficulty in walking.

My neuro believes that this is directly attributable to Remicade.

Has anyone ever heard of this connection?

Thanks,
Gramma

According to rxlist.com about side-effects (just a portion):

"The following adverse reactions, some with fatal outcome, have been reported during post-approval use of REMICADE: neutropenia...toxic epidermal necrolysis, peripheral demyelinating disorders (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and multifocal motor neuropathy), new onset and worsening psoriasis (all subtypes including pustular, primarily palmoplantar), transverse myelitis, and neuropathies (additional neurologic events have also been observed)"

Sounds like you've documented it causing your increased symptoms. I would say it's time to stop this treatment and find something else to control the RA

Well, after a couple of months, I have been able to discontinue the Remicade. Still not sure if it was the cause of my increased symptoms but my RA was in remission anyway so my doctor agreed to d/c the med.

Now I'm working on the motor nerve neuropathy. At first my neurologist thought it was RLS, but dopamine drugs don't work, so we're back to gabapentin.

Still hoping this will all magically disappear one day.