He may just need a higher dose/frequency. Some kids metabolize it very quickly. Adding MTX may also help increase his levels. You can go up to 10 mg/kg of Remicade every 4 weeks. Some doctors will go even higher - my kiddo was on 20 mg/kg every 4 weeks for her arthritis.
If his antibody level is really high, then they might want to stop Remicade and put him on something else - Humira, Stelara or Entyvio usually. You would also want to add MTX so he does not develop antibodies to the new drug.
The dr faxed the results yesterday yo my husbands office so he will get it home today, so I will tell you what it says. Sorry he 96 lb. 45 kilos and 5'4. When we ask the dr at the big inning of treatment if he was adding MtX he said no, he did not wanted to suppress his imune system more. maybe because his Crohns is mild compare to others. So I don't think tat will be an option. When he called my husband yesterday I think he mentioned he had a lot of antibodies. But I could be wrong.
My question is? If in this time that he has had Remicade and was not working properly, was my son healing on his own? Gaining more weight because we add neocate jr? I knew since infusion #3 it was not working the way it should have, since he was having the same issues. I remember talking to my cousin who is a GI asking her how long it would take Remicade to do effect and she told me in adults if by 4infusions they're is not improvement they switch medications. I reaserched on Remicade and said the same. Plus I ask my Gi to do antibodies test and every time he had appointment he will say no, he does not need it, he does not show syntoms of not working because he was gaining weight. But I think since infusion 1 he wasn't having allergic reaction. With the fevers.. so I did research and it did say late actions fever 10-20 days after Remicade.. so that's why I decided to to the test.?
Well I guess he s going to do colonoscopy and we go from there.? I have another appt and Henry ford hospital with another GI adult since Michael is turning 18 the last The of month. Just to anoter opinion specially now that we have his levels back..
I will keep all of you posted
Thank you for reading me..
Lizette
Michael dx in 2006 age 6 now age 17 almost 18
Past medications 6mp, asacol, Flagyl, cipro, vitamin D, iron infisuions,
Current. Remicade, Pentasa , vitamin D, iron, probiotics.