Jeanne's Story

In December 1992, rheumatoid arthritis hit me, suddenly and severely. I was on vacation in San Francisco and I couldn’t move my right shoulder. It was just frozen. Then the pain just kept shifting around. My hands hurt so much I couldn’t even tear open a packet of sweetener or open the car door. I couldn’t hold a heavy plate. Eventually, I had to stop working.

“The infusion lasts about two hours in the rheumatologist’s office. I see the same group of people all the time. It’s nice to talk to people who know what you’re going through. And the staff is so nice — we get constant care.”

It took three months of tests and several visits to a rheumatologist to confirm that I had RA. I was scared. Since I already had a lot of joint damage in my hands and feet, my rheumatologist was concerned about my RA getting worse.

I just wanted something to “fix me” — I didn’t know there was no “fix” for RA. I took pain managers, and then my rheumatologist prescribed methotrexate and prednisone. They helped a bit, but they weren’t doing enough for my pain and stiffness.

I needed relief from pain and stiffness, but I also needed something that could help stop further joint damage. I went back to my rheumatologist, and we talked about different treatments and how REMICADE is given by IV infusion. Then we decided that it was time to change the course of RA with REMICADE.

I had no idea how convenient treatment with REMICADE would be. After the first three infusions, it’s once every two months. The infusion lasts about two hours in the rheumatologist’s office. I see the same group of people all the time. It’s nice to talk to people who know what you’re going through. And the staff is so nice — we get constant care.

Even if you’ve had RA for a long time, like I have, it’s not too late to help stop further joint damage and help relieve pain and stiffness with REMICADE. My rheumatologist said my X-rays show I have no new joint damage, and the relief from the pain helps me stay active. I travel. I even went on a trip to Italy where we had to walk two or three miles a day. Best of all, I can play soccer with my grandsons.

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

Read other patient stories

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Only your doctor can recommend a course of treatment after checking your health condition. REMICADE^® (infliximab) can cause serious side effects such as lowering your ability to fight infections. There are reports of serious infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body, including tuberculosis (TB) and histoplasmosis. Some of these infections have been fatal. Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with REMICADE^®.
Unusual cancers have been reported in children and teenage patients taking TNF-blocker medicines. A rare form of fatal lymphoma has occurred mostly in teenage or young adult males with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who were taking REMICADE^® and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. For children and adults taking TNF blockers, including REMICADE^®, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. You should discuss any concerns about your health and medical care with your doctor.

What should I tell my doctor before I take REMICADE^®?

You should let your doctor know if you have or ever had any of the following:

Tuberculosis (TB) or have been near someone who has TB. Your doctor will check you for TB with a skin test. If you have latent (inactive) TB, you will begin TB treatment before you start REMICADE^®.
Lived in a region where certain fungal infections such as histoplasmosis or coccidioidomycosis are common.
Infections that keep coming back, have diabetes or an immune system problem.
Any type of cancer or a risk factor for developing cancer, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or had phototherapy for psoriasis.
Heart failure or any heart condition. Many people with heart failure should not take REMICADE^®.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or think you may be a carrier of HBV.
Nervous system disorders (such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome).

Also tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including vaccines or Kineret (anakinra), and if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are nursing. Adults and children should not receive a live vaccine while REMICADE^®.

What should I watch for and talk to my doctor about before or while taking REMICADE^®?

The following serious (sometimes fatal) side effects have been reported in people taking REMICADE^®.

You should tell your doctor right away if you have any of the signs listed below:

Infections (such as TB, blood infections, pneumonia)—fever, tiredness, cough, flu, or warm, red or painful skin or any open sores. REMICADE^® can make you more likely to get an infection or make any infection that you have worse.
Lymphoma, or any other cancers in adults and children.
Heart failure—new or worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
Reactivation of HBV—feeling unwell, poor appetite, tiredness, fever, skin rash and/or joint pain.
Liver injury—jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), dark brown urine, right-sided abdominal pain, fever, or severe tiredness.
Blood disorders—fever that doesn't go away, bruising, bleeding or severe paleness.
Nervous system disorders—numbness, weakness, tingling, changes in your vision or seizures.
Allergic reactions during or after the infusion—hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, swelling of face and hands, and fever or chills.
Lupus-like syndrome—chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. The more common side effects with REMICADE^® are respiratory infections (that may include sinus infections and sore throat), headache, rash, coughing and stomach pain.
Psoriasis—new or worsening psoriasis such as red scaly patches or raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus.

Medication Guide for REMICADE^®

Please read the Medication Guide for REMICADE^® and discuss it with your doctor.
(Requires Adobe^® Reader^®. Click here to download.)

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Last Updated: January 19, 2009