Remicade is the new RA drug I am starting. September 2016. There is a loading dose, another dose two weeks later, another a month later. The regular schedule for me will be 8 weeks apart.  I have had the first two doses. It is given by infusion over two hours. The whole thing lasts about three hours. I haven’t had any reactions. Nausea is a common side effect. I have it with methotrexate so I am armed with a strong anti-nausea medicine and I am good.

Last month was tough for me. Flare plus flu.I have been in a perpetual RA flare for three years. The only difference is that sometimes it is much worse than other times. It has been on the worse end of the scale for several months. I can use a Medrol pack for it. Helps. One a month for three months. It would be more but I think that would be too much.

I think the Remicade is starting to help a little. No, it’s not wishful thinking. It can start to work in as little as two weeks.

If I didn’t have the drugs that I have been on, I would be a cripple and I would be unable to do all the things that I do. I wished the drugs helped more than 50% worth but given the situation 50% help is better than none. I am grateful.