Infliximab and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Soc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2021

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease "Insurance forced me to switch to Inflectra due to being cheaper for them for my Crohn's. I did not have a say, and insurance won't listen to Dr. recommendations. While on Remicade, I only had flare-ups 3 days a month during my period, but no other issues or side effects. Yet after only 2 infusions on Inflectra, I have multiple daily loose stools regardless of a healthy diet, as well as bloody stools at least once a day. In addition to Inflectra not preventing flare-ups, inflammation, and symptoms, Inflectra has incurred more issues that I didn't have previously: kidney pain, rib pain, joint pain: shoulders, wrists, ankles, nausea, headaches, severe fatigue, Charlie horse cramping in my hands, where I can't move my thumb; it's completely contracted. I'm in my early 40s with a toddler to try to keep up with, as well as a career to maintain, and this isn't fair to me or my family."

• A H...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 25, 2017

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have been on Remicade since I was 7 years old when I developed Crohn's disease. I am 26 years old this year. For the past 19 years, I have been receiving this medicine, and it has kept me healthy. You do need to find a cycle, be it 4, 6, or 8 weeks, for your infusions. I do every 6 weeks, and it keeps my symptoms minimal. The day of and the day after the infusion, I feel like crap, tired, painful joints, but after that wears off, I feel a lot better than before the infusion."

• Lan...
• February 18, 2017

Infliximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Just had my 3rd Remicade infusion, can't believe all I'm able to do. Due to some joint damage in my knees and hips, not totally free of pain. Best I've felt in years. Severely reduced prednisone after 3 years, plan to stop. Diagnosed in 2013, but have had symptoms off and on for 25 years. Little to no improvement with Humira, Enbrel, Orencia, Actemra, Plaquenil, Methotrexate made me sick, Xeljanz, Sulfasalazine. Vitamins, no sugar, wheat, or milk helped me also. Joint pain and swelling nearly gone. Praying it lasts, thanking God."

• Wel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2017

Infliximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on Enbrel for nearly 9 years before it stopped working, and Humira didn't work at all for me. I started Remicade nearly 4 years ago, my doctor started me out getting an infusion every 8 weeks, and over the first year, he brought it down to every 4 weeks. It's been working great, but after the first 2 years, my knees started bothering me. But after some injections at my orthopedist, they have been under control. Now both my elbows are really bothering me, at first it was when I woke up, but now it's 24/7. I go in for my next infusion next week and will talk to my rheumatologist about the pain. I was curious to see if anyone else has had knee or elbow pain after being on Remicade."

• Ser...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2016

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "My 14-year-old had her first Remicade infusion 10 days ago. After 8 days, she had severe serum sickness. Her fever shot up to 106, and her blood pressure was really low. She spent 24 hours in the PICU. It was very scary. Needless to say, she won't be able to take it again. We are hoping there will be no lasting effects, but only time will tell. Her symptoms of serum sickness were: fever, chills, severe joint pain, hives all over, swollen hands, red eyes, and dry mouth."

• Par...
• August 1, 2020

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease "I have been living with Crohn’s for 20 years. I was in remission with Remicade for 7 years, but after I started having flare-ups, I switched to Humira, which didn’t work for me. I ended up with an ostomy. About a couple of months ago, I started getting a skin rash, and blood work showed signs of active Crohn's. I asked my doctor to try Remicade again, but my doctor recommended an alternative, Inflectra. I got the first injection 2 weeks ago. My blood pressure dropped to the point I couldn’t drive home. I was very tired the next day, but felt okay after that. A couple of nights ago, I had to go to the ER. Severe joint pain, sore throat, swelling in my face and hands, and fever. In the matter of 3 hours, I was in so much pain I couldn’t move. Worst experience ever. For insurance companies, it costs way less than Remicade, but I am not putting myself at risk and getting the second injection."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2016

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I was diagnosed in 2013 with IBS. Then in 2014 IBD. Now, in Feb 2016 with Crohn's. Tried a lot of meds, nothing worked. Went to Remicade, well, it has been working but never lasts that long. By 5-6 weeks, I'm starting to flare. This time, after loading doses, they used me to 7.5, and that worked. I got 6 weeks out of it instead of 4 weeks. But this time it's bad, started to flare in my belly 4 days ago. And now I can barely move, feels like I've been hit by a truck. All my joints hurt so bad. This is awful. Hoping to get an infusion. But I read all the same issues."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2021

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease "Terrible side effects approximately 2 weeks after each infusion (2 total). Developed UTI after both infusions and required antibiotics to treat. Sinus infection developed after 2nd infusion. Incredibly tired all the time, joint pain, muscle aches, and return of Crohn's abdominal pain. It’s a complete nightmare. Biosimilar in this instance is a joke. Nothing similar."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2021

Infliximab for Ulcerative Colitis "It worked the first time pretty well, my moderate to severe ulcerative colitis symptoms went away for the most part. I experienced flu-like symptoms after the infusion for two days. The second time, I experienced fatigue and joint pain for two to three days, and I could hardly move. I went to urgent care. The doctor said to stop taking it. My hair was also falling out by the bundles, as others mentioned. The doctor wants me to try Humira. Biologics have serious side effects, so I’ll take a risk and see what happens this time."

• deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Plaquenil for 6 years and then, 2 years ago, added Methotrexate to the regimen. 4 months ago, the Dr. added Remicade infusion treatments. After the 1st treatment, the pain in my wrist went away, but the swelling remained. I was thrilled. But by the 2nd treatment, 2 weeks later, some of the pain came back. 4 weeks later, I received another treatment. I began to have severe muscle pain in my legs and feet, along with joint pain throughout my body. I don't know if it was my RA or my Fibromyalgia that flared. The muscle pain subsided some, as well as the joint pain. However, when I took my last treatment 8 weeks later, the muscle pain and joint pain returned. It has been 4 weeks since the last infusion, and I am still experiencing sporadic muscle pain and continued joint pain. Prior to starting Remicade, I was not having severe muscle pain nor as much joint pain. I don't want to further this treatment and will be talking with my doctor for alternatives."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2022

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease, Active "At 40 years old with a 24-year history of Crohn's and two bowel resections. U of WA GI misdiagnosed a recurrence as confirmed by the surgeon who demanded I go on Remicade. Remicade made me better for a few days, followed by severe crashes afterwards. Each administration followed with shorter highs, then even deeper lows/problems. After the third time, my wife and I said NO MORE. After that, my body returned but never fully healed. Teeth that were rock solid are now losing them year by year. Joint and skin problems. Now at 52 years old, doing much worse health-wise. Stay away from this DNA-made garbage."