Al's Story

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 found a treatment that helps relieve the pain and stiffness and helps stop further joint damage — REMICADE was the answer I was looking for.”

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 three infusions of REMICADE, and now I just have to go to my rheumatologist’s office for two hours every eight 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.

I feel like myself again. I’m taking a vacation with my wife, and at the holidays, I’ll be able to decorate the house and have fun with my kids. REMICADE has helped bring the joy back to my life.

Al is representative of patients responding to REMICADE under a physician’s supervision. Individual results may vary.

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