I am beginning a new treatment of my rheumatoid arthritis later today – infusion of Remicade. I don’t know why, but for some reason I am feeling apprehensive about this. Over the years, I have been willing and ready to try all sorts of things for my RSD and (more recently) for the rheumatoid with little or no reservation. But for some reason, I am on edge about this treatment course.

Fear of the unknown is often the greatest fear. I am guessing that once I am in the chair, relaxing with my paperback novel, I can just let it happen. But last night I was tossing and turning like nobody’s business.

Maybe subconsciously I am just thinking: “Here we go with yet another expensive treatment that probably won’t work, either.” I probably need to set a positive attitude. That’s just so hard to do when the pain is so great.

Mike

My twin sister has RA with Lupas overlap. She's had it for 13 years. Remicade infusions helped her for about 10 years. Occasionally she would flare and need steroids, usually in October/November and then again in the winter. Just recently, in the last year or so, she needed to switch meds, because the Remicade stopped working as well for her. I believe she switched to Humira (but I could have remembered that wrong...)

If you would like an e-mail buddy, send me your address and I'll get you in touch with her. She is an RN, and is currently training to be a Nurse Practictioner. Her husband is a surgeon. Between the 2 of them, hopefully they can answer any technical questions you might have about Remicade.

Good luck to you. New treatments are always nerve wracking. But in the long run, if you are like so many others, you will be much, much better off for having tried this!!

XOXOX Sandy

Good luck with your new treatment Bassman ! Good to see others have had good results with it . As you mentioned think of this as the first new step in a less pain direction.... Sandi-that is a great support/q & a system you have with your sis and brother in law . Take care !

Good luck with this treatment. I have a friend and a cousin who have these infusions and they both have gotten relief from them. I will pray that the same is true for you! Lisa

Thanks for the encouraging words. It wasn't so bad. It didn't burn or sting going in like some IV fluids. Of course, no results yet - that is not expected for at least four to six months (like everything else).

Mike