In the following stories, you can share in the experiences of real patients, people who are living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Their stories are representative of patients who are responding to REMICADE® under physician supervision. Individual results may vary.
“I found a treatment that helps relieve the pain and stiffness and helps stop further joint damage. REMICADE® was the answer I was looking for.”
“It was in the fall of 2001, around October, when I started to feel the aches and pains, mostly around my shoulders and elbows. The pain moved to my fingers, my knees, even to my little toe. I was hurting all the time.”
“I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis around the holidays. I couldn't even carve the Thanksgiving turkey because I had so much pain in my hands and wrists. Sometimes my kids would have to help me up out of a chair. I knew it was upsetting for them–I could see it in their faces. When I went to my rheumatologist, I told him about my symptoms, and he examined me. He ordered some blood work and confirmed the diagnosis of RA.”
“At first, I was on pain managers. Then the rheumatologist prescribed prednisone, along with methotrexate. But I wasn't feeling any better. And since my MRI showed that I already had some joint damage, my rheumatologist told me it was important to help stop further joint damage. That's when we decided it was time to change the course of RA with REMICADE®.”
“I had my first 3 infusions of REMICADE®, and now I just have to go to my rheumatologist's office for 2 hours every 8 weeks. I've had MRIs and other tests, and my rheumatologist says there's been no further joint damage. I'm really happy about that. I found a treatment that helps relieve the pain and stiffness and helps stop further joint damage. REMICADE® was the answer I was looking for.”
Al is representative of patients responding to REMICADE® and methotrexate under a physician's supervision. Individual results may vary.
“Now I have a lot less pain and swelling, and my rheumatologist said my latest x-rays showed no new joint damage!”
“I was very concerned that RA would damage my joints, and I wanted to do more before it was too late.”
“It was in the spring of 2002. I woke up one morning and my hands felt like they were on fire. There was no warning, no gradual onset. Then the pain moved into my feet. The pain and swelling were so bad, I could barely function—couldn't squeeze a tube of toothpaste. Sometimes it would take me hours just to get ready for work in the morning.”
“My rheumatologist thought right away that I might have rheumatoid arthritis. When I found out I have a family history of RA, he did some blood work and confirmed the diagnosis. I started doing some research and learned about joint damage. I was very concerned about how much worse it could get.”
“At first, I was taking pain managers. My rheumatologist and I considered steroids, but I was reluctant to try them. Then my rheumatologist prescribed methotrexate, but it wasn't doing enough to control the pain and swelling in my joints. I was very concerned that RA would damage my joints, and I wanted to do more before it was too late.”
“About 8 weeks after I started treatment with methotrexate, my rheumatologist said that REMICADE® with methotrexate could relieve my symptoms and also help stop further joint damage. He gave me a video about REMICADE®. After I watched it, we agreed that it was time to change the course of RA with REMICADE®.”
“In about 2 weeks, I felt much better. And the infusions fit into my life just great–just once every 8 weeks after the first 3 infusions. I like having the nurses there to make sure everything is going OK. The infusion only takes a few hours.”
“Now I have a lot less pain and swelling, and my rheumatologist said my latest x-rays showed no new joint damage! I work, go to the gym, and ride my bike. I've even done some 5K walks to raise funds to help other people with RA. The pain and stiffness that I'd been living with...it's so much better now. It's a little weird–I almost forget how bad the pain was.”
Diana is representative of patients responding to REMICADE® and methotrexate under a physician's supervision. Individual results may vary.
“Within 6 months, I couldn't believe how much better I felt.”
“The infusion takes a couple of hours, in and out and it's over with. I read or watch TV.”
“My rheumatoid arthritis symptoms started when I was 66. I was playing guitar with a senior dance band and started noticing some sharp pains in my finger. Within a week, I couldn't even hold the chords, couldn't hold a cup of coffee. Then the swelling hit. I felt like I was walking on balloons, and I could hardly see my knuckles.”
“For a while, I was in so much pain I could hardly get out of bed. Later, I tried some medications that helped with the pain and swelling, but it wasn't enough. I was feeling a bit better, but RA was still holding me back.”
“My rheumatologist confirmed the diagnosis of RA and prescribed some medications that helped somewhat.”
“At first, it was just pain managers, then prednisone and methotrexate. But I still wasn't getting the relief I wanted. When I tried doing things I'd always done, it was just too painful.”
“After the first 3 infusions, it's only once every 2 months. The infusion takes a couple of hours and it's over with. I read or watch TV. Within 6 months, I couldn't believe how much better I felt.”
“I see that I'm going to have a pretty active life. I feel like I can keep on doing almost everything I want to do. I play guitar again, I go bowling twice a week. I can't believe how much better I feel.”
William is representative of patients responding to REMICADE® and methotrexate under a physician's supervision. Individual results may vary.
