Does Remicade have any neurological side effects?

[mm9221]

I started on Remicade at the beginning of June. I've had two infusions so far. I didn't feel too much after the first infusion, but I'm feeling better after the second and I've been painting and up and down off ladders this week...wasn't able to do that a few weeks ago. :)

I've noticed I'm having these weird creepy crawly feelings on my arms. It'll feel like a bug is crawling on my arm, but when I look....nothing. I looked up the stuff on restless legs and I don't think that's what I have although my legs feel rashy (esp itchy) tonight after swimming.

Can Remicade cause that? I haven't seen it listed as an interaction with my other meds: Verapamil (migraine prevention), Lamictal, Lithium, Cymbalta, Levothyroxine, Claritin, iron 325 mg, folic acid, Aciphex, and several PRN meds mostly for migraine and asthma. If this creepy crawly thing has a name, I'm not sure how to describe it.

Anyway, if someone has any ideas about Remicade and possible neurological side effects, I'd sure appreciate it if you could share them with me.

Thanks so much!!!!!
Elaine

[tinglebell]

Hi, I was doing a search about remicade and came across this. I have had 2 doses of remicade, for crohn's and related arthritis, last one 8 days ago. 2 weeks after my first dose, I started feeling a vibration sensation from my hips down. (I have B12 neropathy, but has been improving very slowly.) Now, 4 weeks later most of my sx I had with my original B12 deficiency have come backin full force. Sparky feelings, soreness of skin esp of facial area, low back discomf, and memory problems. I did find one site that listed worsening neuro sx assoc with demyelinating disease such as MS. I showed this to my doc (hematologist) after my sx started and had never seen this happen. He said to try another dose and if I got worse the sx would go away after stopping the drug. At this point there will not be another dose. I will try to find this website for you.

[annelb]

Sure looks like Remicade can cause new neurological problems. New-onset demyelination induced by infliximab therapy in two rheumatoid arthritis patients http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/10067/2006/00000025/00000006/00000097?crawler=true

On Remicade's own site it mentions neurological problems among many of the other known possible adverse reactions. NEUROLOGIC EVENTS
TNF inhibitors, including REMICADE, have been associated with rare cases of new or exacerbated symptoms of demyelinating disorders including multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis, seizure, and CNS manifestations of systemic vasculitis. Exercise caution when considering REMICADE in all patients with these disorders. Consider discontinuation for significant CNS adverse reactions.

http://www.remicade.com/global/hcp/healthcare_professionals.jsp

I will not say that all medical problems are food related, but this is one area that is often overlooked by physicians. Foods can cause arthritis to flare. Everyone is not sensitive to the same food and often it is more than one food that has to be removed for optimum relief. Some of the foods that are commonly associated with arthritis are nightshades(tomatoes, potatoes, etc), dairy and gluten(wheat, barley, rye). No these are not easy to remove from a diet, but removing these have NO adverse side effects and will not react with your other medication.

Is rheumatoid arthritis a disease that starts in the intestine? A pilot study comparing an elemental diet with oral prednisolone http://pmj.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/83/976/128

As far as Crohn's disease and diet, yeast may be important to check too. Differences in yeast intolerance between patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17096175

If you are wondering how gluten can affect a person, please check out The Gluten File. http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/ Gluten is associated with many autoimmune diseases and neurological problems. Celiac disease is only one manifestation of gluten sensitivity.

There is a Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac Disease forum here on BT.
Anne

[tinglebell]

Thanks for the info/website Anne. I have no doubts now that remicade is the culprit. I have gotten steadily worse and have very little concentration left. I was about to send a post to Rose, but perhaps you may know. Does the remicade affect the B12 level and that causes the sx? Or is the med just affecting the spinal cord? My syndrome is/was subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. I also have been contemplating a diet change, because of the crohn's, but now if I can't do biologics I will probably start very soon.

[Cry Tears]

Yes...it sure does!
Just after my second infusion with Rhemicade, I began having severe muscle weakness...I stopped having the last of them because I felt I was damaged.
My doctors contacted Rhemicade makers to see if any side effects like I experienced was possible side effect.
I filed paperwork with them years ago....Neurologically I've gone downhill from there....getting worse each month.
They claim no one else had neuro problems by receiving it...guess is just a matter of time...I' have zero doubts my muslce weakness is a direct result of taking it.
Now I have all sorts of neuro problems...but B12 has been a help...anyone with Crohns disease is B12 deficient.
You'd do yourself a favor and read all what Rose on Vitamin and Mineral def forum writes about B12 deficiencys...Remicade stripes your body of b12~
Not to mention the D-rea ya get with having Crohns disesase....I've had a double bowel resection so far...needing more...but a gluten free diet has helped me...if ONLY I'd stay away from gluten! I'd feel mucho better.
Hope this helps...cheryl