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remicade appears to be loosing effect

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/19/2007 8:10 AM (GMT -6)
I have been on remicade for over a year now.  My last colonoscopy in June showed the the disease was still acitve in some lower parts of my colon.  The colonoscopy itself jumpstarted me into a full "flare-up"  I've been on prednizone, increased the Remicade from 8 weeks to 6 weeks but I'm still verry sick.  Has anyone else had an experience of remicade loosing effect.  If so what was your experience.  Also if the doctor puts me on Humira does anyone know if it is FDA approved.  I can't find where it has been and I'm wondering if my insurance will pay for it.  Also if you are on Humira how long did it take for it to start working?  I'm starting a new job Monday and am crossing my fingers that I can get this back under control.
Posted 8/19/2007 10:49 AM (GMT -6)
I just started Remicade recently but it's been very effective so far. Just from other postings, it does seem like it loses it's effectiveness eventually. Humira has been approved for Crohn's Disease and will likely be approved for UC sometime fairly soon. My insurance approved both but my GI recommended Remicade since it's been proven effective for UC. He did say if the Remicade stops working then he will put me on Humira. I think it's made by Abbott, you can Google it. For me it was going to be cheaper since you inject it yourself and don't have to have an infusion. You might look on the Crohn's board since many of those people are using Humira. Good luck.
Posted 8/20/2007 10:45 AM (GMT -6)
From what I understand because Remicade has something like 25% mouse protein in it your immune system will sometimes develop anti-bodies to block the protein. One reason some doctors suggest patients continue their immunosuppressents while on Remicade is because with suppressed immune system your less likely to develop these Remicade blocking anti-bodies. If I remember correctly Humira on the other hand is made from 100% human protein and therefore you do not develop this type of resistance.
Posted 8/21/2007 7:16 PM (GMT -6)
Hang in there, I really hope it will start working again. Best way to find out whether Humira is approved is to call your insurance directly.
Posted 8/24/2007 6:47 PM (GMT -6)
remicade stopped working for my friend. she said it is called "bottoming out" when your blood cells develop antibodies to the remicade. It made her very sick, but actually, they increased her remicade dose and the drug started working for her again. At the higher dose her body didn't develop anitbodies.
Posted 8/25/2007 9:11 AM (GMT -6)
UCinNC, how long had she been on the Remi? And does she have UC or Crohn's? Just curious! :-) I've been on it for over two years with no problems so far........eeek.
Posted 8/25/2007 1:14 PM (GMT -6)

Do you feel that you have done well with the Remicade? Wow! That's great that you have had that many infusions and are doing good with that.

I'm going for my 4th infusion at the end of September but I feel like I'm about to start a flare again. I'll just have to wait and see.

Posted 8/25/2007 1:38 PM (GMT -6)
Lonelylane - my friend has Crohn's (severely) and was of remicade for 4 - 5 years. i think she bottomed out about a year after she was put on it. So, they upped the dose and she had another good 3 - 4 years on it. after 4 years she experienced some complications due to remicade so now she is off it. but she did very very well while on it.
Posted 8/25/2007 2:08 PM (GMT -6)
Okay....so hopefully that gives me another 2 years at least! :-) Yes, SGRUBB, I'm feeling really well with it; I had a slight problem last weekend with joint pain, but now I'm wondering if it wasn't actually a bug since some of the folks I work with have been out sick with something similar. I just came back from a nice long bike ride and feel great. I'm such an avid exerciser, so if the Remi didn't work anymore, I would be heartbroken. It truly has given me my life back. Take care all,
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