William's Story

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.

“Within six months, I couldn’t believe how much better I felt.”

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.

I talked to my rheumatologist again, and he said that adding REMICADE could relieve my pain and stiffness and help stop further joint damage. That’s when we decided it was time to change the course of RA with REMICADE.

The infusion process is no big deal for me. After the first three infusions, it’s only once every two months. The infusion takes a couple of hours, in and out and it’s over with. I read or take a nap — it’s an easy and pleasant experience.

Within six 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 under a physician’s supervision. Individual results may vary.

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