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Posted 2/5/2012 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
 I have R.A. and I am getting ready to start the Cimzia shots I am trying to find out if anyone is on them now? and how are you doing with the drug?

Thank you

  Motherof2

Posted 2/6/2012 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Lovechildren and welcome to Healing well.

I am sorry no one has posted yet. I can only assume it is because no one that currently posts here is on Cimzia, I know that I am not.


Hopefully, given some time, someone may answer.

Would really like to hear more about you and welcome you to post anytime, whether it be to vent, add tidbits of info, play our games, or just keep in touch.

take care,
Posted 2/7/2012 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on this site for 4 or 5 years now and I know there have been posts about cimzia in the past, so I would do a search and you may find the info you seek.

My rheumy was going to put me on it if the humira failed again, but I'm hanging in there at the moment.

Good luck with your searching, golitho

Posted 2/8/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
golitho,

  Thanks for getting back to me I have not started ths shots yet because I have a sinus infection and they tell me you have to watch infections with this drug the side effects worried me thats why i was hoping to chat with some one already on it.

Thank you

Lovechildren idea

Posted 2/8/2012 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Moderator,

Thank you wwwwfor welcoming me to the post!! Maybe in time I will hear from some one .

Doing real good this week I am on predisone but am now weaning off of it,

Take Care

  Lovechildren confused

Posted 2/8/2012 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Cimzia for over a year. I don't feel it is helping me very much, but I was not helped by any of the previous drugs that I took either. I have taken Remicade, Enbrel, Humira and now Cimzia. None have given me very much relief. I can also say, I've had very few side effects either, though.
Posted 2/14/2012 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
I am a Cimzia newbie. "Enjoyed" (ha) my second batch of injections today. Sooooo, it's only been in my system for two weeks. It helped my RA symptoms almost immediately. Towards the end of the 2 weeks some joints were beginning to flare again, so I was actually glad when today arrived so I could get the relief again.

The injections were painless, both times. No pain at the time of injection. No injection site pain or swelling, etc after. I am sure to get the syringes to room temperature BEFORE injecting. Also, I ice the injection site (I've done upper thighs both times) well just before administering the shots. This has proven to be a pain free method. I think the only sort of odd thing is how long it takes to do each injection. The drug is thick, reminds me of clear Karo syrup, and is very slow going into your system from the syringe. I'm guessing it takes about 2 minutes per injection. Still, I've had absolutely no pain during this. No prednisone has been necessary since starting Cimzia (yay!).

The best news, is I have had GREAT relief from flares and less fatigue. Today I am very sleepy after the injections (is 6PM too early to go to bed? ha ha ha). Last time I was not sleepy after the injections. In fact the two days after the first injections I had VERY high energy. I think I was so thrilled to feel better I was giddy. : )

Best of luck. I hope you have great results! I will watch for your future posts.
Posted 2/16/2012 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking Ximzia for 3 months now and feel that it works like 40%. I got my shots on Monday, the pain subsided by Wed-Thurs and then in 2 weeks goes by and the inflammation and pain are back. My dr keeps telling me differently all the time how long it takes to fully kick in to it's full potential. He now says 6 months but when I started it's was about 2 months. Anybody feel different? I'm not too thrilled on a medication taking so long to kick in. What if it doesn't? Pretty much every night before bed I take a pain killer because my upper body hurts and w/o it I can only sleep on my back. And when I do that, my back get stiff. Any recommendations or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Posted 2/16/2012 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
June Clever & StrugglingUC will You Please keep us all informed on your progress as im sure lovechildren and i among others  would want to know,ive been offered Cimzia but holding off and any progress good or otherwiuse would be good to hear.
Posted 2/16/2012 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Brief update on Cimzia....I did have an injection site reaction at second "load up." (odd term) The sites, upper thighs, became swollen, hot and red for a couple inches around the site. I had none of this before. I think I should have alternated injection site to tummy area to avoid this. Ooops. Will do that next time. Feeling good day 3 after the injections. Days 1 and 2 I had the dreaded fatigue and some joint pain....days 3, sorta tired (not sleeping well), but pain free. I'd call this "so far, so GOOD!" : )
Posted 2/16/2012 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Brief update on Cimzia....I did have an injection site reaction at second "load up." (odd term) The sites, upper thighs, became swollen, hot and red for a couple inches around the site. I had none of this before. I think I should have alternated injection site to tummy area to avoid this. Ooops. Will do that next time. Feeling good day 3 after the injections. Days 1 and 2 I had the dreaded fatigue and some joint pain....days 3, sorta tired (not sleeping well), but pain free. I'd call this "so far, so GOOD!" : )
Posted 2/23/2012 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
June clever

  It was so good to hear that someone is on Cimzia, I was very worried about taking it I was scared of the side effects more then anything. Then I got bad sinus infection battled that for three weeks. feeling good now I am also on predisone, plaquenil, Metodrexate, so I hope this works I would love to get off these pills also on meds. for my epilepsy and high blood preassure.

 I got my 2 shots today I am a not fond of needles this will be fun!!LOL   I have not had any swelling at the injection site thank the good Lord.Tonight I am not tired could be from drinking tea at bed time and I am very worried about the side effects of the drug but as I try to tell my self all the drugs have side effects.

Tonight I feelt like my heart was beating faster but then I could be bringing that on by being worried. My father passed away from a drug he took years ago just from the side effects it shrunk his liver the size of a infant but I keep telling my self they know more now then they did 30 years ago.

  I hope this drug works for both of us and all the other peole I would love to get of some meds.

So good to hear from you.

lovechildren shakehead

Posted 2/23/2012 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
LC....

All continues in the "so far so good" realm for me on the Cimzia. The past 2-3 days I have felt pretty darned "normal." Amazing eh? No preds have been needed. And, I do not take methotrexate (did not work for me), so I am liking those elements of this also. My next dosage is Monday. I will continue the updates, if you like.

How are you doing today? I hope you are getting some relief. Sounds crazed, but I swear I felt some positive changes within hours of taking my first dose of Cimzia. It took awhile for energy to return, but I am loving the spurts of that too. Hey...I even cleaned out my closet yesterday!!! : )

Best of luck!! I look forward to your reports.
Posted 2/24/2012 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
June,

 I am so glad your having a good day!! I was very glad to hear from you. I had a wonderful day!! I even walked today only 3/10 of a mile but it was quite windy and I felt it was a start then I came home and cleaned my house and baked banana bread!!

  I am glad the Cimzia is helping you. I take my next dose on Mar.8. I am so glad to have found you knowing that you are also on the cimzia at least now I know some one is also trying it out. I have 3 grand kids here tonight so I better get to bed I have to take them to school in the morning.

  I hope to hear from you take care

      Hugs

 lovechildren turn

Posted 2/25/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I only take my Cimzia only once a month. Do most of you take it every two weeks? Just wondering. I take both injections, once a month.
Posted 2/25/2012 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
April rose,

 I just started on Cimzia so i take 2 shot every 15 days for I do it that way 2 more tiomes then I do once a month.

how do you like it? i fel so good since I took it I just hope and pray I get no sside effects from it.

lovechildren

Posted 2/25/2012 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
April Rose,
You say you haven't had much luck with a number of RA biologics. You may want to consider Orencia. It is not in the same class as all of them you mentioned. I have experienced Orencia for about 8 months now and for me, there was bad news and good news. The good news is that it works pretty good. I'd say a near remission type feeling. The bad news is that it takes a long time to kick in. I experienced about 50% relief after 4 months and after 6 months, about 95%. I was on Humira for about 6 years and it worked pretty good up until my last 6 months on it when it began to finally peter out on me. That's not unusual for these RA drugs, in fact I am told that I should be grateful that it lasted as long as it did.
Posted 3/20/2012 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 3 loading doses of Cimzea. So far, it has not worked. I tried Humara but I was allergic. I have been fighting RA, OA and MCTD for over 2 years. Taking percocet, skelaxin, elevil, celexa, plaquinil, methotrexate, voltarin, folic acid, multivitamin, and aprobiotic.

I got sick 6 months after being layed off after working 30 plus years at IBM. I am 54 years old. Nothing has worked yet and I am struggling.

I am on a downward spiral.

Neck, shoulders, hands, and feet are affected.

The Cimzea really scares me.

I hope all of you find releif from your suffering. .
Posted 3/27/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
HI
I'm new to Cimzia too.  Had first "load" last week and feel fine.
Have been on Enbrel/MTX for over a year and it worked wonderfully until I developed a rash - yikes! everywhere!. Went a skin specialist and everything, tried a million creams and even had a biopsy. Nobody could figure it out.   Then I realized it got so much worse 2 days after taking the Enbrel.   So I stopped the Enbrel and stayed on a a small dose of MTX (2ml injection) for a few weeks and then went off that too because I had this horrid cough that was finally treated with antibiotics.

  The doc gave me a Kenalog shot to tide me over until I could start the Cimzia.  I had to take 2 slams of Prednisone to knock back flares after the Kenalog wore off (about 30 days)

 - I do a 3 or 4 day prednisone slam(my term), 30, 20, 10, 5 then off.  It usually will hold off a flare for a couple of weeks.


So NOW it's only Cimzia, no MTX.

re Cimzia
seems ok, I'm hoping I cope with it and no allergic reaction.  Will let you know.  I feel fine, have energy, no swelling, no pain.  The nurse mentioned that possible I was allergic to the medium for the Enbrel.   The Cimzia is "fresh" -  no medium solution.

re: Methotrexate ( MTX)

I really hope to stay off it.  It's a total system immune supressant and it makes my hair fall out and gave my severe fatigue in the beginning (years ago). 

re: Gluten free

I went gluten free last July and immediately lost 15 pounds and it's stayed off.  The swelling in my hands is down too.  I'm hoping it's helping lesson the RA symtoms.

re: Prednisone
Like someone else said, it's love/hate.  It works but if I stay on it it will drive me bonkers, that's why I do a slam and get off as fast a possible.  It's takes down the swelling and it stays down for a few weeks.   I'm afraid of taking 5 or 10 a day for months and having a hard time getting off of it.  The adrenal gland gets compromised and doesn't work so well.  FYI - My RA doc says you can stop it without a "step-down" if you do so with in 20 days of starting.

Best to all of you.  Can't tell you how much these forums helped me in the beginning when I was trying to figure out RA and all that it meant to my system.

A~

Posted 3/31/2012 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
hey forever hopeful...
What ou you mean allergic? What were your symptoms?

I go for my 2nd Cimzia load on WEdnusday.
Only reaction noted was one day of extreme fatigue( but that could have been an anomoly) and dry mouth.

~adbell
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